On Saturday, Jan. 27, the Town of Milton and its residents face pivotal decisions regarding our community's future. In an upcoming referendum, your vote will play a crucial role in determining whether the town can secure essential funding for vital projects. These projects are designed to ensure that our water system can effectively support fire protection and provide safe drinking water for both current and future residents.
It is important to clarify that, despite some citizens' belief that the referendum pertains to recently annexed properties, this is not the case. The projects outlined in the referendum are intended for the benefit of residents already within the town, focusing on ensuring adequate fire protection and high-quality water service for subdivisions established prior to 2008.
New annexations will bear the responsibility for water infrastructure to serve future residents in these upcoming subdivisions. Annexation agreements are carefully crafted to anticipate and allocate the financial burden of these potential future expenses to the developers of the annexed areas.
Approval of this referendum will entail a financial commitment from every existing property owner in the town, and the costs will also extend to all properties yet to be developed. The town has been aware of these requirements since 2008, reaffirmed in 2012 and 2017. While some proposals were previously rejected by residents, delaying these necessary improvements comes at a price. The expenses for these projects have significantly increased, and further delays will only escalate the costs.
It is crucial to take the time to understand the town's request and its implications. For more information about the proposed projects, go to https://milton.delaware.gov/2023/12/06/2024-water-system/.
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