Jane Parker: Examine actual figures, statistics with CruCon building

To The Daily Sun,

The buzz in Moultonborough is all about whether the town should purchase the CruCon building with the intention of moving Town Hall, the Rec Department, and the Lions Club building functions there. In my experience, the knee-jerk reaction is consistently a resounding “Our taxes will go through the roof.”

The reason I’m writing this letter is because that reaction makes it clear the information I heard at the public hearings isn’t making its way into the community. The first thing to know is there will be no tax rate impact because every purchase dollar comes from money that’s already sitting in town accounts.

The total project cost estimate comes to roughly $4.6 million: $3.6 million of that goes toward buying the building (well below what it's worth) with the remaining $1 million to cover closing costs and interior work estimated to configure spaces for municipal use.

For funds, $3.25 million is available from the Unassigned Fund Balance (money collected over years); $500,000 from Capital Reserve Fund 134 (designated for property acquisition); and $900,000 from Capital Reserve Fund 104 (earmarked for municipal buildings).

I'm just as wary of government spending as the next fiscal conservative, but I also understand the difference between wasteful expenditure and a fiscally responsible use of reserves accumulated for opportunities like this. The majority of the selectboard agrees — 4 out of 5 members are in favor. A walkthrough for the public is being planned, so keep an eye on the town website for when.

The calculation isn't complicated. Act now with funds in hand and no tax consequences or wait and spend more later with tax increases nobody wants. I'm asking fellow residents to examine actual figures and existing problems solved, not emotional or sentimental reactions.

Jane Parker

Moultonborough