Sidney recently had a special town meeting with Richard Silkman of Kennebec Gas Co.

This company is in competition with other companies for the right to run a gas line through Sidney along Middle Road.

We were told that only one company would be allowed to receive this right, so Sidney should be very careful that it gets treated fairly.

Sidney should demand that a low-pressure line be installed in the same right of way as the planned high-pressure line for the entire nine miles from the Oakland line to the Augusta line.

A low-pressure line is needed for business, schools and houses to be serviced. We learned at the meeting that natural gas is much lower in price than oil or propane.

To the surprise of all there, however the company wants a big tax break or it will not provide service to anyone in Sidney. This is just wrong.

To provide both high- and low-pressure lines at the same time would be good for both the company and Sidney and be cost-effective. Augusta and Oakland voted yes to the TIF, and they get to use the gas. Sidney should be treated the same.

Sidney residents should vote “yes” on the TIF, however, only if Kennebec Gas Co. promises to give the citizens the opportunity to use its gas in exchange for our generosity of a huge tax break.

Remember, we only have one chance at this. If we don’t see this promise in writing before the vote, then we should vote “no” and wait for the next company to come to Sidney.

John Philbrick

Sidney

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