I have been a resident of Northfield for almost 50 years and owned four different homes during that time. I have seen a lot of changes, many which I felt were needed. In the past few years it seems to me, and many others whom I have spoken with, there is a rush to quickly move forward with many “want to” items that are not “need to” items. With the huge tax increases involved in these projects it seems to me that you as city council leaders should ask for a public vote on these items that are not immediate needs for this town. The purchase of property for a new municipal liquor store, bridge square changes, the ill conceived and unnecessary bike paths, the new water treatment facility are all examples of items that should have been presented to the public for a vote to insure public approval for these projects. You were voted into office to represent the constituents of Northfield. You have not done so and have failed in my, and many others, opinions.

The city of Northfield appears to be bleeding dollars for various projects that have met opposition from its citizens. In spite of concerted efforts on the part of the Heritage Dr. residents plus a petition, the city plowed on with its gouging of streets and lawns. Maple St., then Roosevelt Drive have undergone bike lanes that narrow the road and have yet to be assessed for a winter’s plow/use. Consulting fees to the tune of over $41,000 are in the Disbursement area of the agenda: $5,000 each to Bruce/Robt. for driving changes (neither of these two live in Nfld.), $8,069 for a Hwy. 246 study (heaven help us if the city takes over that section of hwy. as maintenance on roads within the city has been poor) and $33,485 for Bridge Square Park to Damon Farber Ass. to guide the Bridge Square development . All nice ideas but none are life threatening nor a must. My hope is there will be some backbone wishing the city council members to question, dissect and respond to it’s citizens.