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A Financial Disaster

More than “some” homeowners are unhappy with the proposed floodplain changes which was suggested in the title of your April 22 article addressing this issue [“Residents Continue Push Against Madison Flood Plain Ordinance”]. More than 700 people have signed a petition opposing these changes and with good reason.

This letter is to correct a fallacy put forth by the Coastal Resiliency Commission (CRC) that the cost to lift a house is approximately $100,000. We asked a well-respected, local contractor whose work is well-known along the shoreline, particularly with older homes, for an estimate to lift our house on Middle Beach Road. The answer was $675,000 plus or minus 15 percent, making the upside $775,000. These numbers demonstrate that passing the proposed floodplain change is more than a financial burden to homeowners; it is a financial disaster.

The CRC was charged to develop a plan for the town for potential problems due to climate change for roads, municipal parks, infrastructure, septic systems, and emergency response services. Private homes are not mentioned. Why would the town get involved in imposing destructive restrictions on private home owners? There is no benefit to the town. Homeowners have insurance (with hefty premiums) to cover this type of damage. And, no one, to my knowledge has ever knocked on the town’s door asking for reimbursement for storm damage. One has to ask: What is this really all about?

Sara Greenwood

Madison