Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-01-10
The South Paris Sewer Again.

Editor Democrat:
As it is nearing another annual town
meeting, there is a matter in which all
the voters in the town are interested of
which l wish to speak, and that is the
much talked of sewer for South Paris
village. After being successfully fought
for several years by those voters living
outside the village, and others in the vii
lage who favor fair and square deal,
last spring by reason of poor weather
and q small attendance of voters at the
annual meeting, condition which has
on the part Of some of the citizens 0f
South Paris village who would be bene-
flied by the convenience of, and their
property enhanced in value by the
proposed sewer, been anxiously awaited;
as one of the prominent men at South
Paris said that that article would be in the
annual town warrant until they got it..
Now this is selfish disposition to show,
but we have got so used to seeing that
disposition on the part of certain South
Paris villagers that it is no surprise to
us; we have become so used to having
traps like this sprung upon US that we
should be used to it.
| will try to discuss this matter fairly,
and shall throw no mud, although it
may be hard to do 80, as we have seen
80 much unfairness shown in this and
kindred matters relating to matters
which would benefit part or all the peo-
pie residing in South Paris. We have
also got used to having the matter OF
the estimated cost of improvements
,, relating to South Paris village garbled
and minimized, as for example the
county buildings; when canvass of the
county was being made 1t was declared
they would not cost over $4,000 or
$4,000. They have actually cost over
100000. and the end is not yet. Also
the cost of the high school building was
set at $4,000 when it was tried for in
town meeting, and it cost some $4,000
or 81, 900.
And so in this matter Of the sewer, the
estimated cost at the 1910 town meeting
was set at $500, for which 500 q year
is to be raised for five years; but as q
citizen of South Paris informed friend
of mine, they expect this sewer to be
extended and eventually to call for at
least slO,OOO-and $4,000 will not be in
the opinions OF men of good judgment q
half of what will eventually be needed
to do what is intended in the system OF
proposed sewerage, and that it will take
nearer $4,000.
Now these things are neither right nor
JUST, and the voters should turn out
March 8 and put stop to extending this
sewer any farther. We have In town
many poor people, including widows,
who have a hard struggle to pay their
taxes and other bills, and every addition,
al dollar means more hard work and
privation.
This sewer should have been construct
ed and paid for by the people whose
property IL will increase in value, and
not be paid for by the town. The price
voted for tapping the sewer was placed
absurdly low. 1t should have been at
least double, $50 for tapping for single
family, and double tenement houses in
proportion. A sewer system for South
Paris will probably cost $780, 600 to
S25, 900, for which the farmers and oiti'
zens of Paris Hill and West Paris are
asked to assist In paying, whereas those
farmers and citizens are compelled to
pay for their own sewers themselves, re-
oeiving no help from anybody. Now we
ask YOU, gentlemen, II this is just and
right? Is it an application of the COLDER
ruler You know 1t 10 not.
This is q day of national, state AND
municipal extravaganza, and we suppose
the good old .own Of Paris will probably
try to keep pace along with the bano
wagon. Our taxes, which, as our towI
was reported out OF debt in 1909, should
not exceed II mills on dollar, are over
20 mills on dollar, With good pros
pect of still mounting higher. Paris al
| the shire town OF the county should Sc
q good example for the other towns II
the county to follow by keeping out o.
debt and keeping taxes down as low a
possible.
Again, this sewer will have to be KEEP
In repair by the town, which will alst
have to provide water to keep the sewe
cleaned out, which means another larg'
bill for the town to pay the South Pari
Water Company when the aewer 10 com
pleted. We can ace In this, reason 10
other citizens to work for the extension
OF the sewer, and chance for plenty o
graft and dishonesty.
We would not refuse anything reason
able to the people Of South Paris, o
deny them anything which rightfully be
longs to them but in this matter Of tn
sewer those who are asking the town t
pay for 1t are wholly In the wrong, ant
we sincerely hope the matter will b
voted down by q good big majority
The vote for the sewer can be recon
sidered and then rescinded at our mex
town meeting, and that will put sto
to this unjust Increase In our taxes
\ this making all the inhabitants OF tn
town pay for that which will only bens
at q small portion OF them. This Is To
most selfish, one-sided matter that ha
ever been saddled on to the voters OF To
town, and ought to be voted down. an