Much has been said by the petition supporters about why the town needs to retain Park Street School for some nebulous future use. I can attest to why Kennebunk needs Avesta affordable senior housing as soon as it can be built. During the December ice storm, resulting in power outages lasting three days for many citizens, I tried to find help for a senior friend and neighbor who lives alone and had no heat. When I stopped at the Kennebunk police station to ask about local help, I was told only Saco offered a warm shelter. Many of our seniors in emergency situations are afraid to leave their homes and travel outside their community. Huntington Common will provide a room for $75 a night. Many of our seniors on fixed incomes cannot afford that nightly charge, just as they cannot afford an approximate charge of $78,000 a year for permanent residency at Huntington Common. What these deserving seniors need is safe, affordable housing where they can retain their dignity, independence and self respect.

Avesta affordable senior housing at the former Park St. School will provide the future these seniors need and deserve. Kennebunk, like many other similar communities, is experiencing its most rapid population growth in those over 55 years of age, not in younger families. Yet the emphasis has been on a dwindling population of school age children, evidenced by a $30 million school budget, as well as on amenities we cannot afford at this time, such as downtown enhancement. Is attempting to attract more tourists to downtown with brick sidewalks, cafes and trolleys more important than taking care of our senior population?

There is an extremely important town meeting election on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 9am at Kennebunk High School concerning this very subject. I urge everyone to attend because there are no second chances to vote, no absentee ballots.

The vote at this town meeting will be by written ballot, not raised hands If this very selfish petition designed to cancel the existing Avesta contract is approved, not only will there be a significant and unnecessary increase in our property taxes, but our senior population will be denied the safe, affordable housing they deserve. Remember the date, Jan. 31. Remember the day, Saturday. Remember the time, 9 a.m. Remember the importance, high. 

Sue Walker

Kennebunk