I read Norman Mitchell’s letter (Oct. 13) about things in the past.

Unfortunately, there is no going back. Even then, the Department of Environmental Protection required two water licenses. As a result, the department had to “lease” a license from another individual.

Back then, the sewer department was part of the highway department. The water department has, through the years, bought trucks, but only a few for water. There was no money in the highway budget for those purposes.

Today, those two are funded by user fees.

So, there is no reason to go back to the “good old days.” The water department is being run efficiently, with money to do the things that need to be done in moderation.

The town was asked at least five times during the past 10 years if the public is satisfied with the level of services. The results came back that people were satisfied.

Also, the sewer department is in better shape that it has been. The sewers have been scoped to find any problems underground. That is a proactive, not a reactive approach.

So much for the “good old years.”

Ralph Clarke, Dixfield