letter to the editor

Ride the Gaecklein Road

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 4:00pm

Dear Editor:

I urge everyone to drive the Gaecklein Road to see the destruction of over 20 acres of woods on CMBG property. The public town road cuts through the Garden’s neighbor’s property and continues through the Garden’s clear cutting. The abutters - the Anthony family - have owned a home there for the past 50 years in a remote 65 acres, where they also raised their family

Out of CMBG’s 270 acres of residentially zoned land, they chose the area directly abutting the Anthony’s home to clear cut and dynamite for 900 parking spaces and multiple septic systems. Ask yourself a simple question, “Would I treat my neighbors like this?” Neighbors were given no prior notice of their massive expansion plan. When the Boothbay Region Water District raised concerns and offered suggestions for alternate parking and septic options, the CMBG executive director ignored the BRWD.

Ask yourself, “If I had the responsibility to be good land stewards would I work for the public good and partner with a town agency tasked with protecting and ensuring our region’s water supply, or would I dismiss and denigrate them?”

I’ve asked myself why a popular, economic enhancer to our community would "terminate" their hired professionals who question the Gardens expansion plans, and why they would squeeze off one of the last remaining original board members. Then I read they are changing mission statements. The more I learn the more I am disheartened by what seemed at the beginning to be a wonderful gift to this area.

Paula Ragsdale

Boothbay