Dear Editor:

Vote absentee or in person if you are interested in public access to the water. 

Vote against Article 28 on May 21, which takes additional funding away from water access. Send a message to the selectboard.

There are miles of shore frontage but no public access, only the fortunate owners of shore property, like  myself, have access.  What about the hundreds who live inland?

In the last few years the selectmen have put an article on the warrant to appropriate the amount raised through the boat excise tax to the waterfront committee. This seems  a way to prevent boat excise taxes from being added to the Woodend Fund for future public access to the water.  For the past 50 years the boat excise tax has been added to this fund for future public access.

Now is the time to send the message to the board that public access is important by voting against Article 28.  If the Waterfront Committee needs funds let them submit a budget for approval like other town committees.  

Absentee ballots can be  requested by phone Tuesdays, 1-5 p.m., 882-7018; Thursdays, 1-7 p.m. 882-7018; any other time, 633-5324 or 350-0963. You can also mail a request to the town clerk at P.O. Box 139, Edgecomb or they can be picked up in person.

I believe voting by absentee ballot gives more residents the ability to vote, giving better communication of the residents' wishes.

Please vote against Article 28 to send the message that we need public access.

Tom Boudin

Edgecomb