Last year Westport town officials wanted a $3 million override. Now we have a $31 million sewer project without financing costs. Not including financing costs is the first of several financial misrepresentations on this project.

Estimates of project costs at $9 per capita per month over the course of the 20- to 30-year financing period is almost fraudulent. Our real estate taxes will finance this project, not per capita assessment. There is also significant difference between the 20- and 30-year periods mentions. Twenty years calculates to $35 million while the 30-year period is almost $53 million. What is the real cost of this project?

Like the override effort last year, this project is filled with unquantified claims of alleged benefits. Mr. James Whitin of the Westport Planning Board believes economic development and tax base growth will “…more than pay for a good part of the cost of this loan.” Real details would be appreciated.

Given how poorly this project is being communicated, existing procedures should be followed and this project publicly discussed/decided on at the Town Meeting, prior to any ballot voting.

Elliot F. Whipple

Westport