Dear Editor:

It is claimed that if the “Boothbay Master Plan” is passed, there will be many good year-round jobs for our kids. But what businesses would likely come? The three biggest in town are here precisely because we are surrounded by water: two build ships; the third studies the ocean. The TIF-designated area does not have those advantages. Even the golf club is a seasonal business — unless it adds other attractions for tourists. Casino? Spa?

It is the peaceful beauty of Boothbay that brings both tourism and new residents. The area has already lost a prime attraction for those seeking a vacation or retirement home: the hospital. Destroy the charm of the town (for instance by the proposed zoning change to allow bigger, higher, advertising signs lit from within) and the loss will be greater.

Even those who have read it are not sure what the plan conceals. As an example, one reason Route 27 and the monument area ostensibly need drastic change is to cut down on accidents. 

In fact, as ambulance personnel have publicly noted, virtually no serious accidents have occurred in that area. Even the town manager, referring to the report on which he said this claim was based, said he would be happy to have someone else read it since he himself couldn't make it out. And, compared to stop signs, rotaries generate even greater safety issues as drivers maneuver to enter streaming traffic.

The selectmen say if this plan is passed, the proposed zoning regulations and projected map can “all be amended.” By whom?

Once again by a select group in executive sessions? Changes of this magnitude need time for the public to study both immediate and long-term effects, let alone vote on them with clarity. It has been less than a month that the warrant has been available to read at Town Hall.

We are asked to take on faith that any changes will be “different and better” than what we are to vote for. Remember how we were told to vote for a 10 percent tax increase which “would probably never be needed.” Interesting how quickly it was needed. Here we go again.

Rhoda Weyr
Boothbay