A “Yes” vote June 28 would require Dedham taxpayers to help pay for a “new senior center,” with no limit on what taxpayers would be responsible for.
Hebrew Senior Life has, ad nauseam, claimed it seeks to be a good citizen yet, after copious concessions by Dedham, we can’t get HSL to provide a “new senior center.” How is that for irony and outrage? We’re being asked to pay 89 percent of estimated construction costs. How much it will cost to operate and maintain the facility?
I don’t know that building a “new senior center” is a primary function of municipalities. I do know that a primary function of municipalities is the maintenance of our public roads and the public street I reside on is not the only one in Dedham for which reengineering and repaving is long overdue.
If there actually is “strong support” to build a “new senior center,” there should be no problem having it completely funded by private donations and grants. Perhaps the town could provide the land gratis, under a long-term agreement.
Supporters claim, “The annual cost to the average homeowner will be $61.10 or just over $5 per month.” With analysts predicting home heating fuel expenses could increase approximately 32 percent by December, any extra cost to Dedham taxpayers for a nonessential project is no small amount. Many are struggling to pay their existing monthly expenses, even if they are not already threatened with foreclosure.
