Lara Chulack: Ashland residents should voice concerns over 76-unit build

To The Daily Sun,

I am writing as a concerned taxpayer to urge residents and town boards to closely scrutinize the proposed Village at Mill Pond housing development in Ashland. While our region undoubtedly needs residential solutions, a project of this scale brings long-term, hidden infrastructure and financial costs that our small town is simply not equipped to absorb. Ashland is one of the poorest towns in New Hampshire and already has a disproportionate number of low-income housing units compared to surrounding towns. And unlike other Grafton County towns — Hanover, Lebanon, Plymouth or Littleton — Ashland has no commercial tax base to buffer these costs.

We must evaluate the direct strain on our town resources. A 76-unit complex will inevitably overload our local roads, municipal utilities, and emergency services. Most concerning is the fiscal impact on our local schools. Introducing dozens of multi-bedroom units will bring a wave of incoming students into our education system. In an era where education costs are already reaching unaffordable levels for the average taxpayer, our community cannot shoulder the steep property tax hikes required to fund a new school, additional classrooms, staffing and busing. The added insult is the developer intends to pave their driveway through the ball field parking so our kid’s parents have nowhere to park to watch them play. Is that right and just?

Ashland cannot afford to compromise its financial stability. We ask of the deep pocketed, powerful developer, why do they want to bankrupt our already weakened town? Recorded threats to suspend pending litigation against the town only if our boards approve the development is appalling. I urge our planning and selectboards to pump the brakes on the Village at Mill Pond until the developers provide ironclad solutions for all the direct and indirect fiscal burdens. I also urge the taxpayers of Ashland, especially the abutters who have rights, and thus power, to let voices be heard.

Lara Chulack

Ashland