In response to the article published in The Citizen by Shane M. Liebler, “Niles highway garage needs repairs.” I am 65 years old and have lived most of those years in the town of Niles. I and several other lifetime residents recall the building of the now occupied town garage. I am sure there are improvements or repairs that could be done as with almost any building. I also recall the construction of the firehouse, which is older than the town garage and would be much more deserving of replacement and a greater benefit to the residents and property owners of the district.

I have to question that the building was originally a hay barn, as the building was built for the town highway department, and I don't recall town government in the hay business!

The statement, “We think we can build a new one without using taxpayer money or taking out a bond” would indicate that the town board must be going to use their own money or do they think the town assets belong to them!

The capital funds have grown from setting aside monies left over at the end of budget years for expected needs of the town and emergency situations. I feel the estimated figures to build a new building are far too excessive for a building which I believe will not benefit the taxpayers. I would agree that a much smaller garage where maintenance and minor repairs can be made may be more sensible and more efficiently heated. I believe the town board should be considering a building much less expensive and saving or using some of these “non taxpayer dollars” (ha, ha!) for more community minded projects such as spending a few dollars to put a kitchen in the basement of the new town hall for use by senior citizens and youth groups or disaster situations under the direction of the fire department and emergency squads, or to possibly hold a farmers market. A recreation field for baseball, softball, soccer, etc. would also be feasible and might attract some of the younger people to locate within the township, which would result in increased membership in volunteer organizations which require younger, more physically fit members such as the volunteer firemen.

In conclusion I must say, I don't think we need this extravagant new town garage any more than we needed a $2,200 riding lawnmower to cut what little grass the town hall has!

John R. DeWitt

Moravia