Table Teakettle Heights

“It’s hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.’

                                                                                                                                           Thomas Sowell

We attended the hearing on the Teakettle Heights subdivision on May 6. For over an hour person after person on a three-minute clock got up and said how opposed they were to this development.

 From lack of infrastructure to support it, hundreds, and hundreds more cars through Columbia Falls every day.  Sewer system that does not add up, 1.7 people per apartment?? That is the “legal” number they can use 1.7 when basing the capacity for the sewer system. I guess that .7 of a person doesn’t use much.  Many talked about the loss of habitat for the animals; there are five endangered species in the area.  Is the plant really cleaned up?  EPA has several lawsuits against it on particulate matter standards and water pollution.  Arsenic and selenium which are present at the site of the development are listed in the suits.  Several people asked that it be tabled until the cleanup is finished.

Something even EPA suggested. Not one person spoke in favor of this high-density subdivision. Many concerns about the change in environment in a county setting. Several people asked that the apartments be moved away from the homes that are right on the property line.

There are five planning board members, only three were present.  We were told “legally” that is all that needs to be there. 

Unfortunate in such an unpopular subdivision.  Only Mr. Kavanagh seemed interested in listening to the people voicing their concerns.  He asked questions and wanted certain things clarified. 

 It appeared to us that the President Fisher had made up his mind long before he entered the room. When he said the apartments could not be moved and we asked, “Why? He irritatedly said “This isn’t the question-and-answer period.”  There are no water, sewer or utilities yet laid out, the only thing it would be is a little inconvenience to the developer. 

What is the point of a hearing if you are not going to be heard?  Well legality of course. They had the hearing, let us say our comments. It does not mean they have to listen to anyone, and it seems they did not.

The planning board needs to remember they work for the public, not the developer.

Mark Guse

Tama Hader

Columbia Falls