Dear Editor:

Edgecomb needs public access to the water. The town's strategic plan says that. Rivers and ponds are a wonderful outdoor resource. The state has many grant programs to help with access projects. Money has been set aside by the town for public access. The select board tries to give the town residents what they want. They do a good job but without hearing from residents who feel public access to the water is needed they tend to look at the funds set aside for future public access as available for other town projects.

The availability of suitable property for public access continues to shrink. The cost of shore property has and continues to increase. To this end, funds need to be set aside for future public access. We need to reinstate putting boat excise tax in the existing account reserved to acquire property for public access. Those of us who own private access are all set but other residents are denied access to this wonderful natural resource.

Residents need to tell the select board they are in favor of public access and they want boat excise fees to be added to the reserved fund. Without residents’ input, the select board thinks there is no interest in public access. Please tell the select board, Edgecomb needs public access.

Tom Boudin

Edgecomb