When we bought our home in La Conner in January of 2019, we were told that our block, the only block on Washington Street where there is no storm sewer, was in “Phase 2” of the project to provide storm drainage throughout the town. Shortly after we moved in, members of the town council told us that there was no money at present for such improvements. We were asked to be patient.

Our lot periodically floods and such phenomena as atmospheric rivers leave behind a pond of 6-8 inches in depth, which can remain flooded for several weeks and which occasionally requires our public works department to install “ROAD FLOODED” signage. When this happens, I don my calf-high muck boots and install a sign that reads, “Lake La Conner, No Swimming or Fishing.” My neighbors understand this to be a joke.

Last year, while the sign was up, the mayor assured me that money for the storm sewer on our block was in the 2023 town budget and that work installing it should take place during the summer months. This work did not happen.

For five full years now we have paid a monthly sum of $27.05 for “Storm Drain Services” that do not exist. Imagine my frustration when reading in the La Conner Weekly News that last year’s $971,884 budget surplus was largely “due to profits in the water, storm drainage, sewer and compost programs.” 

I think it only fair at this point for the Town of La Conner to redistribute parts of its budget surplus to residents who do not receive the services for which they have been charged. If I’m doing the math right, at this point I should expect a check for $1,623. Alternately, I’d be satisfied if they’d complete Phase 2 of the storm sewer system, as promised. 

John S. Farnsworth

La Conner