Installing billboards with paid advertisements in lifts, similar to those found in public places such as airports, interchanges and underpasses, is not the way to go to raise funds for town councils ("Have paid ads in lifts to help defray costs" by Mr Chin Kee Thou; Feb 22).

HDB lifts and lobbies already have framed notice boards where important announcements, alerts, messages for residents and information on programmes are posted.

The last thing residents wish to see is more notices in the form of advertisements. Enough is enough.

The lifts and lobbies are already an eyesore, with the many expired official notices that have not been taken down.

There are also unauthorised advertisements and stickers, such as those offering rooms for rent, locksmith services, sanitary and plumbing services, tuition classes and so on.

Paid ads are not the way forward to defray costs.

Rather, town councils should cut down on other non-essential expenditure.

For example, do we need colourful newsletters when black-and-white copies are good enough and cheap to print?

It is a waste because they end up inside the waste bins or thrown on the floor.

Do we also need colourful calendars distributed free to all residents annually?

After all, most residents already have their own diaries and calendars.

Is it necessary to fund tours to Johor Baru and other local outings that are organised by the town councils, residents committees and People's Association?

Perhaps the money from stall rentals during pasar malam (night market) events can be used to offset the higher estate maintenance costs.

Francis Cheng