The Spy-Avalon Town Hall meeting last night was a full house, and that only means good things for the Easton Town Council election next week. With all seven candidates in attendance, the Spy’s Craig Fuller moderated a two-hour discussion about the town’s most pressing issues and vision for the future.
This video is approximately 2 hours in length.
Susie Hayward says
Thanks to the Avalon and the Talbot Spy for hosting this event. You are truly an asset to the community.
Susan Basham says
I want to thank The Avalon and Talbot Spy for hosting this debate. I admire all of the candidates running for seats on the Town Council. Each one brings their unique perspectives and experiences to the table for voters to consider.
There is a nationwide housing shortage affecting working-class citizens, driven by various factors. While some of these issues can be addressed by our Town Council members, not all of them can. The rising costs of building materials and supply chain disruptions continue to exacerbate the situation. I commend the Town Council for their careful budget management; it’s important that residents do not face a tax increase.
Exploring creative solutions to reduce housing costs is commendable. However, we must consider that tax offsets, waivers, subsidies, and entitlements can impact the town’s tax base. Increased housing density necessitates additional infrastructure, including schools, medical facilities, emergency services, and police for public safety. While it’s admirable that our fire department is fully volunteer-based, I worry that if housing density increases significantly, the demand for services could surpass our volunteer capacity.
We often hear the term “smart growth” but now more than ever, development in and around the Town of Easton needs very careful planning.