To the editor:

One has to be captivated by the speed with which government moves in Portsmouth. 

Consider that in 2007, the Portsmouth Town Council sought and received permission from the legislature to ask the voters for authority to procure funds (sell bonds) to put sewers in Portsmouth to the tune of $145 million. In today’s dollars, that is over $200 million. To that number we can add interest and operating costs. That authority was sought and granted with no input or knowledge from the citizens. 

Another seedy and speedy move was legislative action to put tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge. Two other seedy and speedy moves are lack of action on East Main Road and the Town Center. 

All of which leads me to the senior center. If we or our leaders bought into $145 million (today $200 million) for sewers, can’t we or our leaders resolve the senior center issue? The Portsmouth Water and Fire District has just spent $3 million to replace a pump station. Nobody likes paying for it, but nobody said we didn’t need it. 

Government cannot provide sidewalks on Quaker Hill for seniors. That is a state issue, apparently. The senior center is a town issue. We need action, not talk.

Philip Driscoll

169 Immokolee Drive

Portsmouth