Editor:

I respectfully, though strongly, disagree with the recent characterization by Harwich Town Planner Christine Flynn that the Pine Oaks Village 4 (POV4) proposal is consistent with the housing production plan (HPP) and draft local comprehensive plan (LCP).

I have served as the chair of the local planning committee in Harwich for the last three years, and we have listened and incorporated the direct feedback of more than a 1,000 citizens into these plans. Harwich’s citizens are smart and love their community. While we were writing the LCP and HPP, they told us we need to encourage the creation of homes for year-round working folks through a variety of policy interventions, but not at the expense of our fragile and vanishing land.

In writing the LCP and HPP, Harwich prioritized small housing development projects that integrate affordability and families into underutilized buildings in the community’s seven villages. Harwich told us over and over again that they want to protect trees and habitat and maintain local village character. Going along with development for profit, sacrificing sensitive acreage, granting waivers that bypass local protections — over and over again our Harwich neighbors told us during the HPP and LCP process we should not do this.

The HPP and LCP should not be weaponized against the very community who in good faith generously gave their time and experience to create a plan to help their town thrive. The HPP and LCP should not be used to justify what feels like moving backwards, sacrificing pristine acreage to build overly dense apartments for the profit of a few.

None of us have a crystal ball about the bad versus good a project like POV4 might bring to Harwich. I do believe most Harwich citizens want the best for our town and neighbors and we are in the discussion of our lives about what that looks like. 

In the meantime, I hope that common sense prevails and we act on the understanding that Harwich should not put 250 units of anything in any one place in town.

Joyce K. McIntyre
West Harwich

Editor:

Drawn by publicity promising the “hilarious and poignant” comedy “Trad” by Irish playwright Mark Doherty, I joined up with several theater-loving pals for an evening of recreation and having our spirits lifted, a trademark of the Celts. Sure, art saves us, and what could be better than local theater at Cape Rep?

We settled into theater-in-the-round seating at Cape Rep’s vintage barn. People were still finding seats when our attention was grabbed by young fiddler, Jonathan Ford. Dressed in Irish tweeds, he meandered around the theater, treating us to a medley of Irish melodies. Soon the audience settled down and a hush fell over us. The action began. A mystery unfolded. Two men (Seton Brown and Macklin Devine) seek a lost descendant they’ve never met who is much younger than they are. We were asked to believe that these two characters, ages 70 and 100, one missing an arm, the other a leg, were played by two brunettes who looked to be under 50 and speed-talk in heavy brogue. Why no attempt at age-appropriate makeup and dress? I noted the de rigueur scene in the middle of the play that insults organized religion, in sync with the play’s poster of a boot kicking something, perhaps the concept of tradition?

The surprise ending is that you won’t really know how the story ends. You can make up whatever ending you want. My friends were disappointed and confused by the show’s end. Me too, until the next morning when I woke up and realized what had happened. The playwright, who is also a clown and stand-up comedian, had taken possession of my mind the way a magician does sleight-of-hand. He tempted me to use words to explain what I had seen. But he really has created a ballet set to music and the actors are dancers. If you’d give an arm and a leg to figure out the secrets of life, these two actors/dancers have done that: given an arm and a leg. If you want words to explain the secrets of life, listen to music instead. If you wonder when something begins and ends, the magician poignantly says it begins before you were paying attention and you won’t figure life out until later, maybe even after it’s ended.

You have been warned! If you give yourself over to Mark Doherty’s ideas, be ready for anything and not what you expect. 

Marietta Nilson
Harwich Center

Editor:

Kudos to Greg O Brien’s tribute to Lt. Skip Daley, Silver Star recipient for bravery in Vietnam in 1967. A True hero from Brewster and Cape Cod. Rest in peace.

Joe Coffey
East Orleans

Editor:

The Gift of Thrift, a teacher and student-run thrift shop at Monomoy Regional High School, would like to thank Solis Lifestyle Boutique of Harwich Port for their second annual donation. The beautiful contribution will keep the students warm and well-dressed throughout the school year.

Mimi van der Burg
Monomoy Regional High School ELD teacher 

Editor:

This is migratory bird season as well as the second summer. Please assist the birds with their annual journey. One billion birds die each year from colliding with clear or reflective glass surfaces that confuse them by reflecting landscapes or appearing as open space.

This can be reduced by applying decals, film with dotted strips, strips with translucent tape, or UV stickers, as birds can detect these as obstacles and avoid lethal impact. Moreover, please keep lights off from dusk to dawn. This will keep up to a million migrating birds from becoming disoriented by light pollution and colliding with buildings and widows each year. Simple action for the birds.

Mark Berson
Orleans

Editor:

In February, LEC Environmental Consultants made recommendations regarding problems they had diagnosed at Kent’s Point in Orleans. These included blocking access to designated habitat areas, eliminating tripping hazards, increasing coastal resilience, mitigating scouring erosion from precipitation runoff, and installing educational signage to sensitize visitors to the area’s fragility.

Days later, two Orleans Conservation Commissioners and the conservation administrator issued a list of “Kent’s Point Action Items” prefaced with the phrase, “Based on the Kent’s Point Environmental Assessment by LEC”. 

Both documents are posted on the town’s “Kent’s Point Documents” page. A cursory comparison of the list and the LEC recommendations (pages 18-22 of LEC’s report) reveals extensive and glaring mismatches between the two. Undeniably, the list was prepared independently of the report, and the introductory phrase falsifies the former document. Anyone can verify this, easily and conclusively. This highlights two problems: 

First, the ongoing proceedings which generated the report are not actually investigatory. Rather, they mimic due diligence to justify a measure which has already been embraced behind the scenes, namely parking lot access restrictions (not recommended by LEC, despite considerable urging by proponents). 

Second, apart from blocking off the habitat areas with fences and signage, there is no plan to address the actual causes of ongoing and increasingly severe environmental damage on site. 

These problems, as well as troubling legal issues, are thoroughly documented at orleanswatchdog.org. I urge Orleans residents to inform themselves and speak up, both for integral government, and for the effective preservation of our public lands.

Karl Oakes
Orleans

Editor:

Many people put a lot of thought into their legacy. What do we want to do with our assets? Mrs. Ellis, no doubt, did the same. Her wishes were clear: she wanted her property at 127 Old Harbor Rd. to be used to benefit children.

Why the town feels they know better and can go against Mrs Ellis’ final wishes to decide to use that property for anything other than that is a total disrespect to Mrs. Ellis. 

We already are in the weeds with two major affordable housing developments. There is absolutely no reason for the town to spend a dime on a study of that property. Let’s see how the Buckley Property and Meetinghouse Road developments turn out. 

No matter, it is appalling that the town would even think to change someone’s final clearly stated wish. And the fact that the town is consulting with Attorney Talerman to find a loophole and override this woman's wishes is deplorable.

I’m sure this is making many Chatham citizens think twice about donating any land to the town after their passing. It’s a shame.

Carol Gordon
South Chatham

Editor:

I am writing to express my disbelief over the continuation of the discussion of about 127 Old Harbor Rd. To ask taxpayers to “fund $15K” for another study for use of this land is ridiculous. The meeting last week brought to light letters from several attorneys reaffirming Ms. Ellis’ wishes that her gift to the town be used in the following manner. The codicil to her last will and testament contained the following request:

“I devise to the town of Chatham, my land on Old Harbor Road in said Chatham, together with the buildings thereon, with the provisions and upon the conditions that the same shall be designated the ‘Augustus and Marion Ellis Playground’ and that no building other than as shall be on my said premises at my demise shall be placed or maintained thereupon, it being my purpose in making this gift that said land shall be used as an additional playground and recreation area for the present site of the school located on the abutting property of the town.”

To violate her wishes is a disgrace. Have folks lost their moral compasses here? It will make other folks stop and really think before donating any more land to Chatham. With the current mess taking place in West Chatham and South Chatham with the Pennrose development, and the proposed 20 units on Stepping Stones Road, it would be wise to sit back and see how this plays out. There are plenty of other parcels of land the town owns that should be considered for single family, affordable homes, throughout the community for us to consider. Let Mrs. Ellis rest in peace knowing her wishes were fulfilled.

Judy Patterson
West Chatham

Editor:

We are looking to grow the Harwich Children's Fund, especially with parents and community members who have the desire to help us support children in need in grades pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 in the Monomoy School District. New voices, new ideas and new connections. We meet monthly and would welcome support on a variety of committees: holiday shopping; seasonal dances with young adults with special needs; annual pickleball tournament; prom boutique with free gowns for high school students; fundraising; mini events; social media; and publicity.

We value your ideas and time. Come and join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Harwich Community Center.

Angelina Chilaka, president 
Harwich Children's Fund

Editor:

What has happened to the moral compass that used to prevail in Chatham town administrations in past years? The latest discussion by the select board this past week to move forward on a $15,000 study for 40B affordable and possibly attainable housing for the Ellis property at 127 Old Harbor Rd., if our town counsel gives approval, is shameful. 

The town and its conservation commission have historically been good stewards of land and properties gifted. No More. Mrs. Ellis clearly stated her deeded restrictions and our town council, hired by our town manager and approved by some but not all of our select board, has deemed her will no longer applies due to a 30-year limitation. That legal argument is not based on factual information that was available to Mrs. Ellis, but on more recent legal precedent. The members of the select board who wish to disregard the Ellis will are setting a new standard, a total lack of respect for property owners, and any possibility of future land gifts on the horizon. The affordable housing trust is constantly trawling for more parcels to develop. Why would anyone take the chance that their gifted land could be filled with “tiny houses” or three-story apartment buildings instead of conserved for open space or one designated family home? 

There have been too many broken promises by the affordable housing trust and individual select board members promising housing for police, fire, rescue and teachers and instead signing a contract with Pennrose for rental units unavailable to those above-mentioned employees due to their salary levels or personal assets. Housing for our local, hard-working employees who represent public safety, health and education should be top priority and never on property designated solely for a playground. 

Anne Timpson 
Chatham

Editor:

The recent Chronicle op-ed “Climate Change is Real” (Oct. 2) is off-base on several essential points.

First, science is one thing only: the testing of ideas against actual evidence. Consensus is not a substitute. Furthermore, the argument has never been about whether CO2 warms the earth, but how much warming will occur. There is general agreement that the atmosphere has warmed about 1 degree C in the last 120 or so years. This small amount of warming has a positive impact on society. For years, climate activists have threatened three or four degrees warming with terrible consequences, yet there is no evidence of warming trends of this magnitude.

Second, it has been 12,000 years since the end of the last ice age, yet we have only a few decades of actual weather data. We simply do not know what the natural variability of weather is. Climate activists and the media portray every storm, fire or drought as evidence of climate change, but everything we have experienced appears to be within historical variability.

Third, sea levels have risen about 200 feet since the end of the last ice age. Over the last hundred years, global sea levels have risen at a rate of about one foot per century, and there is no evidence that this rate is increasing.

Fourth, CO2 is essentially plant food, and the slight increases in atmospheric concentration (0.03 to 0.04 percent) have supported greater crop yields and drought resistance.

Finally, CO2 is distributed evenly around the globe. In 2024, the U.S. accounted for only 13 percent of global emissions, while China generated nearly one-third. If the U.S. stopped completely using natural gas in households, the reduction in global CO2 emissions would be about 0.7 percent, nothing more than “virtue signaling.” It’s now nearly 10 years since the signature of the Paris Agreement, which was supposed to reduce global CO2, yet emissions have actually grown by 8 percent.

The townspeople of Chatham deserve a full airing of this issue before we make expensive and useless decisions. We should not let a group of scientists, however distinguished, claim an exclusive knowledge of the truth, while the rest of us just open our wallets.

Bruce M. Everett
North Chatham

Editor:

Our country is in crisis as a result of the erratic, devastating and often illegal actions of the would-be dictator who heads it and his grossly incompetent acolytes such as Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., Pam Bondi and others. Congress as a branch of government has abdicated its duty to act to oppose clearly unconstitutional actions, members fearing for their careers if they speak up in opposition. While the courts have for the most part attempted to outlaw these frequent breaches of the Constitution and rule of law, their efforts have been largely blocked by a subservient Supreme Court, the majority of which are Trump appointees. Moreover, Trump and his toadies often simply ignore lower court rulings.

During this challenging period, it is unfortunate that Cape Codders lack any real voice in the lower branch of Congress. While our two senators and many off-Cape representatives do their best to oppose the Trump administration's illegal actions and inform their constituents that they are doing so, we hear nothing from our elected representative, whose very name is unknown to many.

As a retired senior Naval officer with a strong interest in the government I served for 26 years, I expect those to whom duties are delegated to perform them. I have on several occasions stated my disappointment on Representative Keating's website, urging him to speak up and let us know that he is actively representing his constituents. I perceive no results. While the website asks if I would like a response, I find that saying yes is ignored. While I have also on several occasions requested his newsletter, I have yet to receive one. A review of local print media and TV sheds no light on any activity except for occasional ribbon-cutting or similar honorary appearance.

I suggest it is time for Cape Cod voters to give careful consideration to whether they feel, as I do, that they are not being represented in the House of Representatives and in the meantime urge Rep. Keating to stand up and speak up.

Ralph Smith
Harwich Port

Editor:

I'll bet the farm that Bad Bunny, the superstar rapper from Puerto Rico, won't throw rolls of paper towels to the crowd when he headlines the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

Mike Rice
South Wellfleet

Editor:

Thank you for publishing Gerie Schumann's letter in your Sept. 18 issue (“Pedestrians Should Walk On Left”). I heartily agree with Gerie. 

When walking on Ridgevale Road in Chatham, I often see young families walking to or from the beach, one parent holding an older child's hand, the other pushing a much younger child in a stroller. I cross over and suggest that they walk on the other side facing oncoming traffic. I tell them it's so much safer. Nowadays more EVs are on the road and, being nearly silent, you can't hear them behind you; drivers drive too fast for this narrow, curvy road leaving them precious little time to slow down; and drivers today are easily distracted by cell phone calls, or worse, incoming texts.

By facing traffic, you can now see a car before they see you, giving you needed seconds to get clear, if they ignore your waving at them to slow down.

These parents I speak with are sincerely grateful for the advice and usually cross over to the other side right away.

Many years ago I remember a local police officer came to talk to my second grade class about safety. The officer said to always walk facing traffic. I'm pretty sure this is where the officer also said that a road without sidewalks gives pedestrians the right of way. I certainly hope this hasn't changed. The newest road signs tell motorists to give four feet of clearance. I always wave to thank those who give me that space. Nearly everyone politely waves back, which is a delight. As usual, a recent exception: some guy in his 50s who, after not being satisfied with giving me an "if looks could kill" glare, topped it off with gunning his engine. This altercation speaks volumes about the general decline in common courtesy today.

Living in the area full time, I walk a fair amount. I know my rights. I will not be intimidated by motorists. I won't walk off the road for an approaching car. They must yield the right of way.

Kevin M. Fay
Chatham

Editor:

On Oct. 2, l attended what I thought was the Chatham Zoning Board of Appeals meeting which might finally vote for the Buckley/Pennrose affordable housing project in West Chatham. I sat at this meeting with the child-like belief and hope that I might witness a possibly historic vote. My town would no longer have one of the worst records on Cape Cod for addressing the desperate need for housing. From 2 p.m. to 4ish we listened to the back and forth with Pennrose, its attorney, and the ZBA. I thought this must be normal. At that point those in the audience patiently waiting had the opportunity to speak.

Speak they did, most in passionate support of the project. To my surprise the ZBA members then took turns explaining why this project could not work. I was surprised by their reasons but more so by their unity in opposition. Are their minds made up and they are simply dragging their feet on the no vote? Excuses such as density, CCRTA buses can't stop, bad streetscapes, struggles to understand basic pro forma business income statements. Trees good? Trees bad? Finally, a select board member mentioned a fire in Fall River in a letter read out loud which hinted that it was a possible Pennrose project. This was a complete fabrication as the fire was in a building totally unrelated to any Pennrose project. I sat at this meeting appalled. It was as if the "fix was in." It doesn't matter what any public supporters have to say or if they show up at all.

Am I alone in this sense that the "fix is in"? I would like to hope that we in this town are better than this.

I will end by urging townspeople to watch the ZBA meeting at chatham-ma.gov on demand archive.

Julie Dykens
West Chatham