Letters To The Editor: Jan. 11, 2024

Rethink Clearance Signs

Editor:

I’m seeing street signs on the roads of Chatham that instruct drivers to give pedestrians four feet of clearance. What do drivers do when pedestrians continue to walk two or more abreast in the road? The town of Chatham may want to rethink these signs as pedestrians seem to think they own the road.

Betsy Abreu

Chatham

Editor’s note: The signs in question reflect a state law that went into effect last year that requires vehicles to provide four feet of clearance to pedestrians, bicyclists and other roadway users. Vehicles must slow or stop until it is safe to pass with the required clearance. The law applies whether or not the signs are in place.

A Cheerful Cheering Up

Editor:

A huge thank you to all of the towns, businesses and individuals who decorated with beautiful lights.

To those of us with “winter blahs,” it is a big lift.

It also reminds us of the original celebration of the winter solstice — the light is returning! Hallelujah!

Carolyn Witt

Orleans

A Pleasing Observation

Editor:

How rewarding, and heartwarming it was on Saturday, Jan. 6 (third anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capital) to see the quiet, peaceful demonstration of the signs promoting democracy, and the continuance of it, here in our country by a large group of…dare I say “Patriots,” who stood out in the cold to display them.

Kudos to those "Patriots." The rest of us can do our share by voting in the 2024 elections…up and down the slate.

Pete Norgeot

Orleans

COA Needs More Funding

Editor:

On Dec. 29 my wife and I were fortunate to host Chatham Trivia for 35 seniors at the center for active living at the December monthly luncheon. We all enjoyed his experience as we recalled and shared memories of Chatham’s history, and we thank John Whelan for his donation of a box of his latest book, “I Am of Chatham,” which were given as prizes. The seniors who attended our program told us they enjoyed the companionship at the monthly luncheon but wished they were held more frequently.

In the course of discussions with the staff and clientele, it became obvious to us that although everyone was doing their best, programming at the center is hampered by the space and the lack of funds.

Because of the space issue, the number of seniors who can attend the luncheon is limited. Also, the center does not have the funds to offer the dinner more than once a month. Because the senior center doesn’t have an adequate kitchen with the storage area for the food supplies and staffing that all this entails, the meals are catered by local restaurants, which is very expensive. The seniors who attended our program told us they wished they could have luncheons bi-monthly, particularly in the off season.

The council on aging is doing the very best it can for our seniors, but they are hampered by the act that they just do not have the funds to offer the services that would enrich the lives of the seniors, coupled with the fact that the building is not adequate to meet all the needs of the clientele. We should consider increasing the council on aging’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. And additional $60,000 could ensure more frequent and varied opportunities for seniors.

Bill and Tilda Bystrom

Chatham