Editor:

I would like to express my family’s heartfelt gratitude to the members of the Harwich Police Department and Harwich Fire Department for their extraordinary response and care following an accident involving my 15-year-old son on Friday evening.

Thanks to the calm professionalism, compassion and skill of the first responders who arrived on scene, he was safely freed, treated and transported to the hospital.

As parents, there are few things more difficult than not being able to immediately reach or protect your child during a traumatic moment. Knowing our son was surrounded by capable and caring people during those first critical minutes meant more to us than words can properly express.

We would also like to thank a local father named James, who stopped immediately to help my son, called 911 and stayed by his side until emergency crews arrived to free him from under the vehicle. We later learned he recognized Tristan from elementary school. The comfort and reassurance he gave our son in a frightening moment, when his parents could not yet be there, is something our family will never forget.

This letter is simply meant to acknowledge the kindness, humanity, professionalism and compassion shown by those who stepped forward to help a child in need during a very difficult moment for our family.

By some miracle, our son’s injuries were minor, and for that we are profoundly grateful. Please know your efforts mattered deeply to our family.

The Smith Family
Chatham

Editor:

Orleans is making a costly mistake by asking taxpayers to approve too much at once.

Let’s start with the obvious: Orleans needs to address its fire station. This is a real public safety issue. But that is not the same as saying the current proposal is the right one, at the right time, in the right form.

The mistake is asking residents to approve a major tax-backed project before the town has finished the work that should come first. The town itself says the fire station vote is “not on a final design.” It also says the borrowing request was reduced just days before town meeting, from $60 million to $55 million. That should concern every voter. When a project is still moving that much that late, taxpayers are not being asked to approve a settled plan. They are being asked to approve a direction and trust that the details will work out later.

Orleans is layering a $55 million debt exclusion on top of an operating override, tax levy subsidies, tax levy capital appropriations and additional wastewater borrowing while its own finance committee is warning about debt growth, affordability erosion and the need for a 20-year financial plan. That is poor sequencing. The question is whether the town is managing total household burden responsibly. The record suggests it is not. 

Supporters of the project will say that public safety costs money. That is true. But responsible government is not just about identifying a need. It is about sequencing, discipline and credibility. If the town wants support for a new fire station, it should bring residents a final design, one consistent number, a clear tax impact, and a long-range plan showing how this fits alongside sewer costs and other capital obligations. Right now, Orleans is asking taxpayers to buy first and verify later. That is not sound planning. It is a costly mistake.

M. Smith
Orleans

Editor:

I have been watching with great interest the movements of the former Stage Harbor Coast Guard boathouse for several years. My wife and I visited it in Hull while it was sitting on the beach. It was cosmetically in tough shape, but still structurally sound.

Now that it is back in Chatham and soon to be useful again, I have strong feelings about the naming of it. Several names have been suggested, but memories fade and in a few years one might be asking "who was that person?"

Rather than have any one person the honoree, I respectfully suggest the following: "Dedicated To The Many Men and Women Of The U.S. Coast Guard, Who Have Served The Mariners Of Chatham Since 1915." There were four Stations (Chatham, Old Harbor, Monomoy and Monomoy Point ) as well as three lighthouses. And don't forget the three lightships!

Cast in bronze and mounted in a place easily seen by the public, I think such a dedication would be well received by present and future Coast Guardsmen and women. I can provide the name of a foundry that does nice work, and am willing to send a contribution to get things started. 

Richard G. Ryder
Fort Myers, Fla.

Editor:

Thank you for your excellent May 7 coverage of the May 4 Brewster Town Meeting. However, I would like to add one point that I made at the meeting. A year earlier, voters had overwhelmingly approved a resolution to support Medicare for All in Massachusetts (H.1405/S.860). Had that bill become law, Brewster would have saved substantially more than $2 million, which would have made the three overrides, totaling $1,900,000, unnecessary. I spoke in favor of the overrides, which are essential to fund our schools and our town, but the taxpayers would have benefited from the savings for health care. Brewster was not the only Cape town, or the only town in the Commonwealth, facing similar overrides. It is time for us to acknowledge that passing Medicare for All in Massachusetts is both the medically and fiscally responsible path forward.

Betsy Smith
Brewster

Editor:

Thank you for voting me once again to the Chatham Housing Authority. I sincerely appreciate those citizens who did use their right to vote.

As I have stated before, I am disappointed that only 1,600-plus voted. We all know the valiant military that gave their lives so we could vote. They did fight for our democracy. By not voting, you have lost your right to question or criticize any government policy put forth for this small village by the sea.

Shirley Smith
Chatham

Editor:

Chatham needs to take a really hard look at the influx of corporate companies, like AirBnB and others, offering short-term rentals in areas zoned for residential use. In the last year or so in my small neighborhood we have had at least four formerly residential properties converted to rentals. These are not family cottages supported by occasional rent. They are businesses, often with multiple other similar properties. They operate more like hotels. The AirBnB model has taken over many other communities, squeezing out residents and driving up costs. 

Our most recent conversion from residential to rental has caused a great amount of stress for neighbors and full-time elderly residents next door due to late night music and pool and hot tub activity. All through the winter we’ve had to listen to people in the hot tub next door. This goes on during the day and even at 11:15 p.m. when it’s 28 degrees outside and our windows are closed. It’s mindboggling. I don’t know what can be done, but it’s certainly been disappointing to lose a neighbor and gain a corporation.

I’m surprised Chatham has not addressed this issue. If Chatham wants to attract more families and full-time residents, this is not how to do it. 

David Bixby
Chatham

Editor:

Chatham Town Meeting last Monday didn’t disappoint, along with the “post mortem” Tuesday. I was amazed at how rude two members of our select board were. To complain and have a temper tantrum in front of 500-plus people because folks turned down an article showed zero class. You are members elected by us. We don’t need to see you having a public meltdown because you didn’t like the way a vote went. Your yelling and downright scary performance has no place at town meeting.

The insults that were directed at the finance committee from this individual were out of line. This is a perfect example of why we need term limits. I guarantee you, there will be a citizens’ petition next year for term limits for our select board. No one should be subjected to our elected officials having temper tantrums and watch them hurl insults at other committees. And we should not be going back and forth between voice and electronic voting on articles. Voice voting takes away the anonymity which defeats the purpose of electronic voting.

I’d be remiss by not mentioning the number of times people spoke about the budget and the way taxpayer money is spent. That didn’t sit well Tuesday with the select board. One member droned on and on and asked (rather rudely) “what exactly do taxpayers want cut when the SB is criticized for too much spending?” We’ve told them. The board approved a contract 18 months ahead of time for our town manager along with guaranteed increases each year, regardless of performance. Who in the real world does this?

The board holds no one responsible for these egregious actions. Has the board ever sent back the presented budget and asked for a reduction in spending? Please do us all a favor and do the job you were elected for. Start by listening to what is going on instead of trying to advance your own wish lists and personal agendas.

Judy Patterson
West Chatham

Editor:

In January, we lost my father, Bernie W., to cancer. His care team at Dana Farber Cancer Institute helped him live through his illness and Dad was fortunate to have many years after his diagnosis, thanks to DFCI’s skillful physicians, PAs, nurses, advances in surgical techniques and technology, and cancer inhibiting medicine. 

In his final months, though, it was Cape Cod Hospital which he frequented as his body felt the effects of the disease, and it was at CCH that we encountered an array of people with an extraordinary blend of professionalism and compassion that helped us through some of the most traumatic moments of our lives.

Those of us who live on the Cape are fortunate to have nurses like Julia in the Barbey Pavilion, whose care and strength I will never forget; physicians like Dr. Monaghan, who compassionately took the time to explain difficult realities to us; the interventional radiology team, who always approached our scheduling needs with a positive mindset; his case manager Katie, who with quiet reassurance, coordinated the steps for my father to have a dignified end-of-life experience; and in the very end, the caring staff at McCarthy Care Center. 

I cannot imagine the patience, knowledge and strength required to perform these jobs day after day. Thank you, Cape Cod Hospital and Cape Cod Healthcare staff, for showing up every day to help Cape Codders in our times of need.

Catherine Kane
Harwich

Editor:

What an incredible honor it was to be elected to the select board last week! Thank you, Chatham, for putting your faith in me to help make this town the best it can be for everyone. Meeting so many of you all along the way leading up to the election was inspiring and down right fun! Please, let’s keep the ideas and conversations flowing!

Very special thanks to the diverse group of family, friends, colleagues and neighbors who showed up week after week, tirelessly offering their personal best selves to create, finesse and launch a campaign to be proud of.

We are one Chatham, one community with a common goal: doing what is best to preserve and protect this beautiful fishing village. With that in mind, onward!

Randi Potash
Chatham

Editor:

On behalf of the Chatham Airport Commission, I would like to thank the voters at town meeting who supported the two airport articles. As you know they were both about improving safety and doing what is necessary to maintain a safe airport. It was wonderful to see the appreciation expressed for this most important town asset. Thank you.

Huntley Harrison, chair
Chatham Airport Commission

Editor:

I’ve written to Harwich’s Conservation Commissioner Amy Usowski asking how best to protect the vernal pool and stream system that lie on an acre of land in North Harwich, a parcel that the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust plans to sell for either development or conservation. 

The land once belonged to neighbor Arthur Cahoon, and from the pool every spring we’ve heard peepers and seen wood frogs and salamanders. Letters document over 30 years of failed attempts by neighbors to protect the pool and its surroundings. In the spring of 2007, with written permission from the owners of abutting properties, we petitioned the Harwich Conservation Trust to inspect and certify our neighborhood pool. But then the town took possession of Mr. Cahoon’s parcel and refused permission for the inspection. 

In 2019, when the parcel was given to the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust, we wrote to the conservation commission, to members of the trust and to the select board members pleading to preserve the integrity of the site. We heard nothing further until recently, when the housing trust announced its intention to sell off properties. When the Trust sells this small and vulnerable parcel, the proceeds will help offset the millions of dollars that they awarded to Pine Oaks Village 4, which promises severe damage to the Herring River watershed, to our village and its natural resources. 

Before another piece of North Harwich priceless wetlands goes on the auction block, we beg the Harwich Conservation Trust and the Harwich Conservation Commission to negotiate with the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust and somehow buy and preserve this fragile small parcel and to preserve it as conservation land. 

Paula Myles
North Harwich