What is important to you, Camden?

Letter to the editor: ‘I envisioned NEMHS as a magnet...’

Mon, 08/25/2014 - 5:30pm

For those who, like me, moved here from away, we're here because we found a town that cares for its uniqueness and is something special. In the early 90s, I chose Camden as home. In 2011 I ran for the Select Board to help guide the town and all its residents into the future.

When I first heard about the offer from North East Mobile Health Services to purchase the tannery site, I was enthusiastically excited. I envisioned NEMHS as a magnet, bringing other low impact businesses to the Millville neighborhood.

NEMHS can help improve the Millville area with the following: rehabilitate the tannery site; bring 30 or more jobs to our town; slow down traffic along Washington Street and Rawson Avenue; encourage the town to place needed sidewalks on Washington Street and Rawson Avenue; highlight the adjacent Riverwalk; and encourage area property owners to work with the town to bring the Riverwalk to Camden's downtown.

NEMHS fits into the guidelines set forth by the voters in 2008. The street trees will stay. There will be no constant loud noises and they will be good stewards of the property fostering good safety standards. NEMHS is trained to save lives.

As for the benefits to Camden and its aging population, having our four-town EMS provider located in our town is tremendous. NEMHS has stated that they'll offer CPR and basic first aid training.

We, the Select Board, need your help as our town continues to evolve. What are your priorities and levels of service from town government? What, in your opinion, are most important: improving roads, more sidewalks/pathways; more workforce housing; lowering taxes; updating ordinances; seeking more business; creating more jobs; other?

Don White
Camden Select Board