Editor:

I hope everyone who voted for Trump can see how he is using his office to cheat taxpayers. The plane given to him as a gift will cost taxpayers an estimated $1 billion to retrofit! It will take years to complete, and when he leaves office it will be his to use as he pleases. It is just another grift to use other people's money for himself. Is there any other way to spend $1 billion that will benefit those in need? It's a rhetorical question!

Edward Fried
West Chatham

Editor:

The board of Pine Oaks Village is writing in response to the misinformation that Ms. Myles of North Harwich keeps perpetuating in regard to Pine Oaks Village IV. Let’s start with the number of affordable units. Ms. Myles states in her letter that only 10 rental units will be affordable in Phase 1. That is incorrect. Forty-one (41) units in Phase 1, and 193 in the entire development, will be affordable at up to 80 percent of area median income, and the remainder will be up to 110 percent of AMI. None of the 242 units will be at market rate. The target rents will be set at 30 percent of the restricted income level for each apartment as per state housing agency requirements. 

Additionally, Ms. Myles states that Pine Oaks Village IV will contaminate our groundwater. However, POVH IV will follow all Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection regulations regarding wastewater and groundwater. We will begin using a new Title 5-compliant septic system for Phase 1 and our own private wastewater treatment plant in Phase 2. Additionally, POVH IV will retain approximately 41 percent of the site as undisturbed natural areas. We have developed stormwater and construction erosion control plans for the construction process to protect water quality and natural habitats. 

We simply want to provide accurate facts to anyone interested. We care about the town of Harwich as much as your readers do and are confident that this much-needed affordable housing project will not have a detrimental impact on our community.

Gregory Y. Winston, president
Pine Oaks Village Homes

Editor:

I have heard about the development of the Marceline property for some time but never knew the exact location until seeing the diagram in an edition of The Chronicle. What are they thinking?

The entrance and exit are on Queen Anne Road, approximately 50 feet from the intersection with Route 124, which is about 50 yards from the on- and off-ramps to Route 6. Almost every weekday of the year there are Queen Anne Road backups on both sides of the Route 24 traffic lights for traffic heading off-Cape. In the summer months, the backups stretch for a good half mile in both directions. Now they are going to interject much more of a traffic headache with the entrance and exit to/from the Marceline property.

I suspect it is way too late for the developers to consider another option that might not even be feasible based on property ownership. Move the entrance/exit to Route 124 between Route 6 and Queen Anne Road. This would be opposite the Route 6 entrance for east-bound traffic without going through the traffic light.

Come the Cape Cod high season, this Queen Anne Road and Route 124 intersection is going to be one heck of a bottleneck for traffic wanting to access Route 6, go to the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, or just go to the transfer station, and I do not see any good alternative routes. What are they thinking?

Steve Clouther
Harwich

Editor:

I am writing to express my deep concern over the proposed demolition of Sundae School Ice Cream Shop in Harwich Port to make way for a luxury condominium complex. This beloved establishment has been a cherished part of our community for decades, serving not just ice cream but memories, traditions and a sense of place that defines the character of Harwich Port.

The plan to replace Sundae School with a 28-unit condominium development threatens to erase a piece of our town’s identity. While development and progress are inevitable, they should not come at the cost of what makes Harwich Port special. The proposed building, spanning two to three stories and covering over 21,000 square feet per floor, is out of scale with the surrounding area and risks disrupting the charm and accessibility of our village. 

Residents have voiced concerns about traffic congestion, neighborhood encroachment and the loss of a historic and cultural landmark. The planning board must consider whether this project truly serves the best interests of our town or if it prioritizes profit over community values.

I urge the developers to reconsider their approach. Yes, housing is needed; let’s explore alternatives that preserve the character of Harwich Port while addressing community needs. Perhaps a scaled-down project or a compromise that allows Sundae School to remain in some capacity.

Harwich Port is more than just a location — it is a community built on shared experiences and traditions. Let’s not allow short-term gains to erase the places that make our town unique.

Karl W. Vess
Harwich Port

Editor:

The South Chatham Public Library knocks it out of the park again with a fundraiser and terrific movie night at the Orpheum. And we have you to thank! Patrons and friends of the library braved the surprising May nor’easter, watched and sang along to the music of “Mamma Mia,” won raffle prizes from 13 businesses and shops in Chatham, and ate delicious Pizza Shark pizza last Thursday evening.

We owe many thanks to the Orpheum management team and house staff for helping us out on a wonderful event, and we want to publicly thank the Chatham Candy Manor for sponsoring our movie event. Keep your eyes open for more fun with our ice cream social in July, our story hours for the little ones throughout the summer months, and our annual book sale in August. There are always fun things happening at the SCPL! Get your summer reading fix! We're open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. 

Peggy Holland, president
Board of Directors 
South Chatham Public Library

Editor:

I wholeheartedly agree with Gill Wilson’s letter published on May 15 (“Proposes Change To Town Meeting”). It is simply outdated that, in this day and age, the only way to vote on important town articles is by attending a meeting in person and sitting through five or more hours of discussion. This process excludes residents who work during that time, those who are ill or have disabilities, and anyone who needs to be out of town.

The decisions made at these meetings directly shape Chatham’s bylaws and budget. We should do everything possible to make voting more convenient and accessible. Many towns are already moving toward remote meeting access as an option and mail-in ballots — Chatham should be next.

It’s time to adapt our process to meet the evolving needs of our community. Let’s embrace technology, broaden participation, and find a more equitable solution for all Chatham residents.

Cynthia Carey
Chatham