I read with great interest and concern the July 19 article, “Lines drawn in lot fight,” by Meagan Nichols. As a summer resident on Frye Island for over 30 years, I want your readers to know that this parking facility is unnecessary. There are several cost-effective, non-invasive ways to manage the infrequent queue on the Raymond Cape Road.

Have a reservation system for those dates when the queue is somewhat predictable. If the ferry spaces are taken, one’s schedule will need to be adjusted.

Peak-Hour Ferry Fees. If ferry demand is greatest on a Friday evening, then charge a premium fee such as 50 percent for those peak hours. The queue will shorten very quickly.

Limit free transportation to all deliveries to the general store and the golf club. Now all deliveries that serve the island have “free” passage. Some of these trucks are 10-wheelers (yes, that is correct, the size of a moving van) to deliver small quantities of beer and soda. These items are not perishable and can be stored in a safe location on the island. As of now, these deliveries are frequent and the delivery trucks take up three spaces so that three automobiles must sit and wait until the next ferry.

Island employees. Currently island employees have two passes: a “free” pass for those days when they are working on the island and then an E-Z ride pass that entitles them to a “free” ride after so many hours of work. Have employees carpool since most of them arrive at about 7:30 a.m. and leave about 3:30 p.m. Offer a bonus to those employees who carpool, thus offering a reduction in the lines at the ferry.

Run two ferries on high traffic times. By utilizing only one ferry, it is simple logic that there will be a queue on the Raymond Cape Road.

Furthermore, and symptomatic of persistent poor local governance, there was never a survey of island residents to find out if island residents even want this parking facility and if there would be a need for them to use it.

In addition, the issue of safety becomes more complex as the so-called ring road that Town Manager Wayne Fournier mentions includes a drop-off point for passengers and their belongings. These passengers then have to cross the Raymond Cape road to walk to the ferry. With large trucks exiting the ferry, there is an increased risk to islanders and their guests waiting to get on the ferry. So, this ring road is really nothing more than a three-ring circus – a parking facility a distance away from the ferry landing, a drop-off point with a crosswalk, and then a walk to the ferry. All this in the name of safety!

Reba K. Orszag

Frye Island