To the editor:
As a taxpayer in the city of Caribou, I have watched the attempt to withdraw from our city by the Lyndon supporters with interest and concern. However, after reading the article in the July 15 Republican about the upcoming replacement of an old boiler at the fire station, I felt the need to express my frustration at the way our tax dollars are being wasted.
From the article it appears that a contractor, Trane, was hired to replace an old boiler with a pellet unit. Instead, Trane removed the newer and in good condition boiler, installed the pellet unit and left the city with an obsolete boiler which the taxpayers are now going to have to replace at an estimated cost of $51,765.
I am not sure who was responsible for supervising the Trane operation. If Trane was negligent, they would be assuming the cost, they are not. If this happened in private industry, someone would be held responsible.
The article states that the cost is coming from the Fire Equipment Reserve, but unless I am wrong this is ultimately taxpayer money. I think the citizens of Caribou deserve an explanation as to why this loss occurred.
Ruthann Weeks
Caribou
