One major reason for voters to fund the milfoil project is that it will help keep their property tax bills from growing as fast. As milfoil spreads down the neck, infested shorefront property values will be depressed when compared to those with clear water. Their property tax bill will go down, but they will be swimming in milfoil. Lower tax revenue from milfoil shoreline properties have to be made up across the tax base, including those without shorefront. Over 70% of Moultonborough's tax base is shorefront properties, yet a majority of voters are not shorefront property owners. It is a complicated argument, but one that makes sense. Nature brings us snow and we fund the plows. Nature (and careless boaters) bring us milfoil, and it must be removed. The state will help fund the work, but it is in Moultonborough's financial interest to gain a reputation for clear water.
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