To the Editor: Regarding housing and new growth

To the Editor,

Predictably, opposition to new development projects is focusing on motor vehicle traffic. As I have written here previously, Dartmouth cannot afford to maintain its current infrastructure without new growth. New growth that is not dense and does not use infrastructure efficiently just adds to the problem. We should welcome higher density new projects if we want to have an affordable place to live. An even better plan would be to concentrate the denser development in certain areas in town and provide transit and walking/biking access to those new residents. These new developments should be allowed to have business nearby that is not hemmed in by the huge parking lots that current zoning requires. Of course, all this will require a rethinking of our bylaws and what we, as a town, need to prosper. 

In the short term, our existing infrastructure is in dire need. Streets and roadways are only the tip of the iceberg. The Water and Sewer Enterprise funds cannot generate enough revenue to continue providing current levels of service without significant rate hikes as we have just experienced with water rates. These rate increases will continue since the underlying infrastructure is at or below the capacity needed to serve the town’s needs. At question is whether to expand the base of ratepayers significantly through denser development or continue on our current path. 

William Trimble

Dartmouth