Support for extension of Lincoln Avenue

To the Editor:

The people of Rumford will have a chance to vote on the extension of Lincoln Avenue on June 12. This is a non-binding vote that will let the Rumford selectperson and town manager know whether citizens would like to extend Lincoln Avenue to Swain Road.

What are the reasons for this vote on a Lincoln Avenue extension?

Last year, the bridge on Swain Road was washed out and people on the north side of the bridge were trapped in their area. They had to drive the long way around up Swain Road to Isthmus Road, then into town.

Not only was this inconvenient, but it meant anyone in the bridge area who needed ambulance, fire or police service would have to wait because the only way to their homes was the long way around past Mountain Valley High School, up Isthmus Road and down Swain Road.

The distance from the washed-out bridge area on Swain Road via Isthmus Road past the high school to the hospital is seven to nine miles.

If a Lincoln Avenue extension was constructed, the distance to the hospital from the bridge area would only be a half mile. This shorter distance could obviously mean the difference between the life and death of a human being and would cost approximately $350,000.

How would it financed?

The Town of Rumford could borrow the money for the extension and pay if back in four years at a rate of $100,000 a year, which would mean a small increase in property taxes for only four years. But this would be determined only by the Rumford selectpersons and a future vote by citizens.

I encourage you to support the Lincoln Avenue extension in the non-binding vote on June 12. Think about saving a life or saving a home.

Emile G. Barre,

Rumford