I'm starting to have serious doubts that Federal Recovery Act Funds will have any meaningful impact on the health, welfare, and pocketbooks of the citizenry of our State. If what we're seeing in Barnstable is considered "stimulus," leave my name off the list. I want no part of it.
Increases in household debt will not stimulate our local economy.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray and state environmental officials announced $185 million dollars in spending yesterday to finance more than 127 statewide drinking water and waste water infrastructure projects that will protect the environment and the public health.
According to a press release by the Lieutenant Governor's office:
“These projects are vital to the health and vitality of communities here in Massachusetts and across the country,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Federal funds will help write down the total cost of the capital projects for cities and towns, create jobs and, with the energy investments they also make possible, reduce the cost of operating the new treatment plants. Massachusetts spearheaded this approach, and the Recovery Act has taken this program nationwide.”
“EPA is part of the solution in these challenging times. Massachusetts has been a leader in creating green jobs that grow the economy and benefit the environment, and today’s grants build on that work,” said EPA Administrator Jackson. “Keeping the water supply clean and safe for millions of people will bring new jobs and opportunities to Massachusetts communities. Protecting our health and the environment is a great way to put people to work and build a new foundation for prosperity.”
See Press Release: PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION RECEIVES $185M IN FEDERAL RECOVERY ACT FUNDS FOR WATER TREATMENT PROJECTS
So tell me, what's so green about sewering the vacation homes of wealthy property owners along the shores of Lake Wequaquet and Long Pond?
$30 million was awarded to Barnstable to partially finance a $69,587,000 Sewer Extension and Hyannis WPCF Improvements.
See: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/wastewater/09cwiup.pdf
This program will cost homeowners in and around Lake Wequaquet and Long Pond an estimated $30,000 in betterment fees. This shouldn't be a problem, if you own a $1 million dollar second home on the water. But, what about the folks living on fixed incomes in the surrounding area? Can they afford an extra $300 a month? How will this spending stimulate their household discretionary spending, if they live on a fixed income?
An additional $13 million will be spent on Hyannis Water Supply System Improvements.
Hyannis has the highest unemployment rate on the Cape and the third highest foreclosure rate in the state. Do you truly believe that a $100 increase in utility bills is going to help homeowners in Hyannis?
The primary beneficiary of this $13 million dollars in stimulus spending will be commercial property owners who will receive lower insurance costs in exchange for making upgrades to their commercial sprinkler systems.
What's so green about a commercial sprinkler system upgrade?
Residents of the Stewarts Creek area of Hyannis will be have new water pipes and sewers installed. They are on the hook for a $30,000 sewer connection fee, ongoing sewage processing fees of up to $800 a year and a 25% increase in their water rates.
They are just plan screwed.
How do any of these so-called loans stimulate the economy?
Twenty-six percent of Barnstable's residents are over the age of 65 years old. Many of these residents are living on fixed incomes. They will be hard pressed to pay betterments and increased utility charges. They will cut back on daily expenses and pay more and more of their limited income to the town foregoing purchases with local business owners.
If there is a stiumulus here, I don't see it.
We're trading a temporary boost in construction for a 20 year drain on household income.
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