Lewiston's Bond: A Smart Move for Everyone

Lewiston is asking for help again. This time, it's about fixing old pipes and roads. The city wants $22. 5 million to upgrade water, sewer, and storm water lines along Main Street. These lines are really old and can break easily. The city already has some money saved, but it's not enough. In May, a similar request failed by just 152 votes. The main worry was about property taxes going up. The city says the new plan is cheaper. It would add about $65. 82 per year to the tax bill of a $341, 000 home. That's less than the first plan. Some people think the city might raise taxes later to pay for this. But the city says it won't. It's a bit of a gamble, but it's like buying insurance. You pay now to avoid bigger problems later. The city did a survey after the May vote. Many people who voted no were worried about taxes. But fixing these pipes is something that has to happen. The question is how to pay for it. If the city doesn't get the money now, it will have to pay more later. That's because costs go up over time. Also, if the old pipes break, it could cause big problems. The city might even get fined. Fixing the pipes all at once is cheaper than fixing them little by little. It also leaves more money for other roads, like Bryden Avenue and Thain Road. So, it's not just about downtown. It's about the whole city. Voters in downtown Lewiston mostly supported the first plan. But voters in other areas, like near the airport and the new high school, did not. Maybe they didn't see how it helped them. But this plan could help everyone in the long run.