I am writing to take issue with Tom Deskavich’s letter and its description of the Deerfield Select Board finding a way to “bully the elderly.” [“Clearing sidwalks unfair to elderly,” Recorder, Dec. 14]. The description is based on the board’s suggestion of eliminating the sidewalk snowplowing that residents enjoy along our few streets with sidewalks. This suggestion was in response to the failure of the tax override vote, authorizing the town to borrow $5 million for road repairs incurred by the summer storms (and additional long-awaited road repairs).

I used to live on a town road with sidewalks, and I certainly appreciated the assistance, but the majority of towns do not enjoy such a luxury. Fixing roads is not a luxury, and there will certainly need to be many more reductions or tax increases considered if the state government doesn’t provide some significant reimbursement to the town.

All leaders have to balance challenging pros and cons. There are no easy answers, but town bills must be paid and roads need to be to repaired.

David Potter

South Deerfield