An $8M com center won't make M'borough business friendly

To The Daily Sun,

During the Meet the Candidates Night, it was clear that the proponents of the Moultonborough community center and other proposals that have been rejected in the past, will not accept NO for an answer — by stating they will continue to bring up unchanged rejected proposals such as the community center... quote, "until IT happens." How revealing! Question, what is "IT"?

I've been a resident of Moultoboro for 23 years. I have never written a letter expressing an opinion, but I find it's time. I've only expressed my opinions at the ballot box. I have been a taxpayer, property owner, business owner, Realtor, and two term member of the town's Planning Board. I am NOT a lobbyist for anyone. I'm a realist.

The proponents for a $6.7 million bond to build a community center, which all aspects of the proposed project locations have not been fully vetted, talk about the next 40 year future of the town and that it might become a "dying community" unless we act now investing millions to providing a new amenity to save it from doom.

Will the town suffer if we do not "revitalize the Village" with this proposed new municipal structure?

Answer: unless Lake Winnipesaukee is snatched away by aliens the town of Moultonboro will exist just fine for the future. But, will it "grow" the way some believe it will? This is the question. Facts, history and common sense might indicate some of what to expect. Hang in for a moment while you ponder some relevant information.

Some of the following statistics are published information and can be found on the town's wikipage:

1. The town might be classified as a "mature" community, "mature" meaning slow or little growth.

2. The town's population census data show that it took from 1980 to 2000 to double from 2,200 to 4,400. That's 20 years! TWENTY YEARS, even through two economic boom periods. The 2016 resident estimate was 4,100, an actual decline in resident population over the last decade and a half.

3. New resident construction has greatly slowed or ceased as it has on the lakefront, at least for the foreseeable future, limiting expansion of the tax base to increases in valuation based solely on market trends, which do often fluctuate with the economy. Perhaps 70 percent of tax revenues comes from the lakefront.

4. The Town residents prefer the town to remain mostly rural and is NOT business friendly, resulting in limited jobs and economic opportunity for attracting young families. An $8 million community center will not change this.

5. There are approximately 1,800 families but only 330 with school age children and school population has and continues to decline with an average family size of only 2.7 vs. U.S. National Average 3.14

6. Most of the economic activity and tax revenue in the town is generated from non-residents and vacationers and that should continue in perpetuity. We are a highly seasonal vacation town

7. AMAZON is not building a fulfillment center in the town.

So, unless you are a tradesman, gift shop owner or employee, restaurateur, educator, or work for the town, where are the growing job opportunities that will attract all these future new residents to settle in the town? My guess is that the town might see some increase in older residents near or at retirement age looking for LOW TAXES and a home base for seasonal or year-around living. Perhaps over time, a few new homes will be built on the waterfront.

The construction boom and economies that brought a broadening tax base seem to be over, at least at any pace that was experienced in the 80s, 90s and 2000s. "Donor town" status is a looming threat. Considering these critical issues, funding future increases in town operating costs might very well exert significant pressure against keeping the town's low tax status.

It may be true that the residents of the town are in favor of some form of a newer community center. But, we are being asked, and some say pressured, to spend an excessive amount to satisfy location, design and architectural desires. Should we have had vision years ago to establish a long-term capital fund for this facility? Absolutely! The fact that it didn't happen is not an excuse for throwing in the towel now with some "urgent need" to put the taxpayers into bond debt for what will be $8 million, including interest on a project still not totally vetted.

So what is really going on here? In my opinion there is a group of agenda-driven residents, some town officials, and the Recreation Department that are attempting to control the narrative and decisions regarding what they claim is the urgent need for their vision of a community center. We must not allow this group to attempt to wear down the voters with a singular repetitive un-vetted proposal. Unless we send a clear message at the voting booth for a change in the Selectboard, by electing candidate Chuck McGee on March 12, and voting a resounding NO on Article 6 ($6.7 million bond) at Town Meeting, I believe we will continue to be plagued by this groups non-compromising approach.

Let's move forward to resolve this issue for the final time. I urge you to elect Chuck McGee for new vision and leadership on the BOS and, at Town Meeting, letting the proponents know that the majority will not go down this road again with THIS proposal. Chuck McGee does not have an agenda to deny the town what is reasonable to meet its needs. Chuck is a fair man. I believe his approach will be consideration and fairness to everyone.

Our wonderful town should not be a microcosm of what is going on in our federal government. We can solve this if those attempting to drive the narrative and their personal agendas are willing to see more than one way, "their way," and stop with the approach that they will keep pressing without accepting alternatives..."until IT happens."

Barry Rudkin

Moultonborough