Letters To The Editor: April 25, 2024

Support Sea Camps Plan

Editor:

I want to urge Brewster residents to attend town meeting on May 11 and to vote in favor of the proposed plans for the former Sea Camps properties. I have never seen “democracy in action” anywhere like I’ve seen it in the development of these plans. Every step of the way the committees developing them have invited input from town residents, sponsoring several open forums live and on Zoom, taking surveys, offering tours, and answering questions in various other formats. The plans reflect that input and will serve the Brewster community well for many years to come. Please come to town meeting and exercise your right to vote!

Amy Cohen

Brewster

New Map Will Devalue Property

Editor:

The Chatham Select Board has endorsed a warrant article (to be taken up at the town meeting in May) to amend the map of “approaches” to the airport. The new map being proposed would be significantly broader than the existing one. If the article is adopted, more properties than ever before will now be placed in an “Airport Approach Zone” to the Chatham Airport, in which, among other things, the town bylaws limit the height of structures that may be built and trees that may be grown on the property.

People who are interested in buying one of these properties in the future will be advised by their lawyers (if the lawyers have any competence at all) that “this property is located in an Airport Approach Zone.” It is axiomatic that between like properties, the one in the approach zone will have a lower market value than one that is not in an approach zone. If given a choice, many prospective buyers will not even look at a property in an Airport Approach Zone. Placing a property in an approach zone is a kiss of death. It instantly devalues the property.

I do not live in a present or proposed Airport Approach Zone. No matter how many people I know or do not know who are subject to the article, I simply cannot vote in favor of this article because I have always tried to live by the golden rule. I cannot vote to devalue a person’s property — even of someone I do not know — because I would not want that person to ever vote to devalue mine.

Pilots have landed at and taken off from the Chatham Airport quite well for over 66 years adhering to the existing mapped airport approaches. According to scientists and engineers who reside in Chatham (and who know a great deal more than the airport commission’s consultants know), the airport can function just as well — in fact, more safely — over the next 66 years with the same mapped approaches.

James A. Fulton

Chatham

Support For Brewster Candidates

Editor:

There are three candidates running for the Brewster Select Board. We believe the two best qualified for this demanding job are Amanda Bebrin and Mary Chaffee.

Amanda Bebrin has an impressive depth of experience with Brewster issues. She served on the committee that created our local comprehensive plan; she chaired the committee that is formulating plans for the Sea Camps Bay Property; and she knows the ins and outs of our floodplains and housing codes as current chair of the planning board. Near and dear to our hearts is the matter of her day job as the executive director of a local agency that addresses housing needs.

Incumbent Mary Chaffee is one of the most credentialed people we know, and she has already revealed her ability to manage both the micro and the macro of the complex issues facing our select board. Her healthcare training, military experience, and stint as a policy analyst — when combined with her years on our select board, on the Sea Camps planning committee, and as a member of the county’s assembly of delegates — make her exceptionally qualified for this position.

Chaffee and Bebrin have the experience, the skill sets, and the bodies of knowledge needed now by Brewster residents. They have earned our support, and we will be voting for Chaffee and Bebrin on May 28.

Bruce and Pat Semple

Brewster

Airport Commission Thanks Public

Editor:

The Chatham Airport Commission would like to thank all those who attended and participated in the public information session at the town annex on April 10. The meeting provided everyone an opportunity to share their concerns and suggestions. The meeting was also intended to be educational for all interested parties and to dispel misconceptions regarding airport projects and operations. The airport commission is striving to improve safety, both in the air and on the ground, and implement methods to be a good neighbor, such as a voluntary curfew from 10 p.m to 7 a.m., an updated Fly Friendly program for local and transient pilots, and an updated website that provides resources for all airport users. The commission is committed to openness and transparency and welcomes continued feedback as we move closer to achieving that goal. Anyone with further questions or comments can contact the commission at airportcommission@chatham-ma.gov.

Huntley Harrison, chair

Chatham Airport Commission

Support Chaffee And Bebrin

Editor:

I’ve had the good fortune to work closely for the past year and a half with Mary Chaffee and Amanda Bebrin, two of the candidates for the Brewster Select Board. I enthusiastically support their election.

I’m a former New Hampshire state senator and small city mayor, and I know that every election matters. Like every community, Brewster faces complicated challenges. Although I washed ashore several years ago, I’ve been spending time in Brewster for over 40 years and I’ve seen countless changes. The issues and opportunities we now face are increasingly complex. We will benefit from electing multi-talented candidates like Mary and Amanda who have proven their ability to tackle problems, work well on teams, and to think critically about issues like water quality and housing.

Brewster is fortunate to have candidates like Mary and Amanda who are willing to use their time and talents on behalf of our community.

Caroline McCarley

Brewster

Elect Effective Select Board Members

Editor:

Over four decades I have been a Brewster homeowner and full-time resident, I have experienced the many issues that our town’s select board has coped with. This year especially we need to elect effective board members who represent our values. We’ve seen the results of Mary Chaffee’s well-informed and versatile leadership. She’s been a leader on the Sea Camps, water quality and strong town finances. Amanda Bebrin has been an effective leader of two important committees, the planning board and the Sea Camps Bay Planning Committee. She uses her skills as a former teacher to communicate expertly and experience as a former Realtor in her work now on housing advocacy.

I trust Mary Chaffee and Amanda Bebrin to carry out the challenging duties of the Brewster Select Board. I hope you’ll join me in voting for them. A vote for Mary and Amanda is a vote for three more years of excellent leadership on the select board.

Mary Ellen Ackerman

Brewster

Make Voices Heard At Town Meeting

Editor:

On Wednesday, April 17 I had the great pleasure of attending an open house at the Bay Property, one of the two Cape Cod Sea Camps properties that was purchased by the town of Brewster in 2021.

As I strolled through the Bay Property, basking in the fresh air, sunshine and natural beauty of this special place, I was feeling grateful that my town made the decision to acquire this place that promises outlets for exercise, social gathering, and connection, essentials that enrich all of our lives. Brewster is a beautiful place, but one that comes with the hurdles of living in a rural area. Connecting with one another is a bit more challenging here, and we are short on some amenities that encourage connection and social engagement. We who live here throughout the year understand that the Cape is much more than a vacation destination. Brewster is our home, one that deserves and demands a forward thinking and inclusive vision.

On May 11 at Brewster Town Meeting, residents will have the opportunity to vote yes or no to adopt the plans proposed for the Sea Camps properties. The plans will create walking trails, recreation opportunities, space for events and much more. Please show up, Brewster! This is our opportunity to make our voices heard and take one giant leap forward to a bright future for our home!

Barbara Dominic

Brewster

Endorses Schiff For School Com

Editor:

I am endorsing an outstanding candidate for the Monomoy Regional School Committee, Brad Schiff. As a former teacher of 27 years, I came to recognize his strong commitment to education and public service when I served on a committee with him. His commitment to public service and the town of Chatham is clear when one examines his role as chair of the Independence Day parade committee for six years, chair of the Eldredge Garage Property Committee, the Charter Review Committee and his time on the Chatham 365 Task Force.

I have found Brad to be one of those rare individuals who gives without fanfare. His humility is matched by his broad understanding of many issues in education and the need for long-term planning. Serving with him on a committee is a pleasure; he comes prepared and is always open to diverse ideas.

The schools and the town will benefit from his wisdom and caregiving.

Bill Cullinane

Chatham

Airport Letter Inaccurate

Editor:

Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously said that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own set of facts. A recent letter to The Chronicle by a serial anti-airport voice was, as usual, laced with inaccuracies and fear mongering.

The short version of certain facts related to the Chatham Airport is this:

1) The goal of the airport commission is to enhance safety at the airport by bringing it up to modern standards. The commission does not seek to increase ”boardings” and create a “commercial airport.”

2) Modern straight-in approaches for aircraft are safer than old-style circling approaches regardless of whether the airport is towered. You don’t have to be a pilot to intuitively understand that.

3) The airport commission is not advocating for “removing 15 to 20 acres of trees.” The goal is to merely trim certain trees which have grown up over the years into the aircraft approach paths.

I could go on listing the misinformation, but this is all too tiresome. Chatham Airport is an irreplaceable community asset. We should thank the airport commission for recognizing this and putting in the hard work to secure its future.

Hart Fessenden

Chatham

Don’t Abandon Optimism

Editor:

With great promise, Brewster voted to purchase the former Sea Camps properties in 2021. Since then, the town and your fellow residents have worked hard to develop comprehensive plans for both the Bay and Pond Properties.

Brewster residents have had many opportunities to provide input and feedback as the plans were developed. With that input, the plans are now final and ready for approval at town meeting on May 11. Yes, implementation will cost money, but it’s important to know that approval of the plans does not automatically approve the funds. The funds for all major improvements to the properties will again require approval at town meeting. The work has been planned carefully in phases across eight to 10 years, so we will have several opportunities to vote on funding. We will vote yes, because a no vote means that we will continue to have limited access to the properties as the town cannot get insurance on the many vacant buildings. The plans provide something for all of us. The longer we wait for approval, the more costs will increase. Let’s not abandon the optimism of that 2021 vote.

Sharon Tennstedt and Mark Martino

Brewster