The Niles Town Board recently mailed residents a newsletter to persuade voters to support the proposition to “approve spending roughly $700,000 ($697,387.11) to erect a new town garage,” approximately the same amount as seven years town property tax collected. Facts not included in the letter are as follows:

€ The town's fleet was reduced by two trucks.

€ Building meetings have not been open to the public.

€ No public hearings have been held for erecting a new town garage or purchase of property.

€ Discontinuance of the posting of board minutes on the town web site.

€ I have been unable to find in board minutes, a resolution to place this proposition on the November ballot.

€ The newsletter suggests that all equipment be covered when not in use, using fire trucks, UPS and Federal Express trucks as examples during winter weather. Fire trucks have water pumps sensitive to freezing while UPS and Federal Express trucks carry perishables and temperature sensitive items. Most school buses are left outside but they only carry our children!

To cast an intelligent vote we should have more information such as:

€ How much property is being purchased and does it meet requirements of Setback and Subdivision laws?

€ What is the seller's asking price and is this market value?

€Has Cayuga County and Syracuse Watershed approved adding a commercial building to the present septic system?

€ How large of a building is actually needed?

These questions need to be answered before voting on such an extravagant endeavor. On Election Day, vote no! Don't let a handful of voters sign a blank check of this amount for a white elephant!

John R. DeWitt

Moravia