Taxpayers in the town of Roxbury should be very concerned with the business ventures of the town’s selectmen. They are proposing to build a new sand/salt shed at a cost of $200,000. March 7 is the annual town meeting.

How much of that amount is engineering cost versus actual construction cost is unclear. If this proposed project is accepted, the approximately 350 residents could be facing a nearly $1 million budget for the upcoming year.

Roxbury already has substantial debt. There is a road bond for more than $2 million. Acquiring more debt will mean a tax burden to many. The town needs to pay off/down current debt before taking on more. Every year the demand on taxpayers continues to rise.

The town’s population is just a number, but Roxbury probably has about 100 households. People should do the math. Residents vote on an annual town budget before they know what the school appropriations and county taxes will be. If approved, the numbers could be even higher.

Now is not a good time to move forward with the project. Some repairs? Maybe. I encourage other residents to join me in voting to postpone the project. Has research been done about obtaining state or federal grants?

The current shed has served the town well and should continue to do so for many more years.

Hazel Hodgkins, Roxbury.