Hi folks,

I've been a planning commissioner for over 20 years in Watertown and have been following this action in other parts of the state.  Sure, it costs the property owners to have it done.  However, what they have found is it actually INCREASES the property values of the houses.  You want to make it part of every sale and wrap the costs into the price of the house.  Check with officials AND realtors in Kent County.   

That said, what you want to verify and insure is that the proposed new regulations are modeled after those in west Michigan - those that work.

Ron Overton
Trustee, Watertown