Editor:
The following letter was sent to District of Sechelt mayor and council and copied to Coast Reporter.
I am very concerned that the sanitary sewer user fee was increased by $30 to $321 for properties connected to sewer for the year 2009.
Why should the properties connected to sewer service be required to subsidize the complete District of Sechelt to balance the 2009 budget, especially during the current economic climate?
Why did mayor and council not select the option that was less costly to taxpayers connected to sewer, by using more of the reserve funds? It was indicated at the committee of the whole meeting of May 13, that in 2009, the increase in annual sewer fees would be $10 to increase reserve savings for spending to maintain and improve the sewer system.
Future upgrades of sanitary sewer services for new developments should be funded by government grants, developers, development cost charges, etc. If funds are not provided, then a moratorium should be placed on future developments in the specified sewage area of the Village, West Sechelt and West Porpoise Bay.
Arthur Whistler
Sechelt
