VOTE NO! for the Flanders Road Project

GATE - Groton Advocates for Tax Efficiency does not support the $16.1 million dollar Flanders Road Water and Sewer Referendum on the ballot November 5th.

The Flanders Road Water and Sewer project is very expensive. Included is a $7 million sewer bond and $1.9 million water bond. All totaled with interest this project will cost the taxpayers of Groton $16.1 million.

This bond proposal is being presented by it’s supporters as a good investment in economic development, however the rate on return data does not support this fact. A payback of $16.1 million dollars would require new tax revenue of $3.2 million dollars per year. At a nominal tax rate of 20 mils, this would require taxable new development of about $160 million dollars of assessed value - starting on day one - with no tax incentives. This is the equivalent to about 80% of Electric Boat or about 6 Marriot Hotels.

Additionally, Taxpayers are not being given the whole story. The referendum cost of $16.1 million dollars is only for Phase I from Route 1 to Route 95. Proponents have always wanted water and sewers across Route 95 and out to the intersection of Flanders and Noank-Ledyard Road. However, this is another $7 million bond or Phase II, which has not been included in Town information.

When the Town of Groton takes money from the taxpayers and gives it to business there should be a guarantee or promise on a return; for the Flanders Road Water and Sewer porject the taxpayers of Groton have neither. At GATE we believe it does not do the Town of Groton any good to spend $16 million dollars without a guarantee of getting anything in return. Economic Development of course is necessary, but it must pay for itself and this project does not.

Groton Advocates for Tax Efficiency does not support the $16.1 million dollar Flanders Road Water and Sewer Referendum and encourage the voters of Groton to Vote NO.