Mere Point Plans Feel Like a ‘Land Grab’

We live on the other side of Mere Point Road and about a quarter of a mile from 946 Mere Point Road, which is being considered for public access to Maquoit Bay.

When we purchased our home in 1992, it was on a residential stretch of Mere Point Road, which we presumed would remain so. There was no reason to think otherwise. Now, we find the town apparently can and will do whatever it wishes, especially for water access, disregarding neighbors’ concerns. Most of us cannot afford to purchase a home in a planned and controlled community where covenants assure things will remain as expected. Therefore, we have to depend on our elected representatives and town officials to look out for our interests and concerns. There are six neighboring properties that would feel the full impact if this parcel becomes a public access site. Their interests are not being given the consideration they deserve by some of the “power brokers” in this town.

This family’s property was lost due to unfortunate circumstances The owner, who helped his father build the house on the property in the ’70s, would like to be able to pay the back taxes and reclaim his inheritance. That would be the fair and benevolent route to take. Fiscally, the sound route would be for the town to sell the parcel on the open market. In any event, we believe the parcel should be put back on the tax rolls to generate income and we favor the owner being allowed to make good on the back taxes to reclaim his property and, once again, contribute to the property tax income stream for the town.

In addition, the land is not suitable for access to the water. It is too steep, making it dangerous to navigate the precipitous drop-off to the ledges and mud flats below. It is extremely tidal, making swimming possible only during very limited times of the day.

Even if, as Councilor Steve Walker seems to be hoping, it is turned over to a Land Trust to develop and maintain, it will still be the responsibility of our police and fire departments to respond to the inevitable “issues” that will arise — people intruding on neighboring properties, loose dogs, excessive noise and after hours use.

We would rather not see this become an expensive little used burden on the taxpayers of Brunswick. Though it is legal, is it ethical and moral to deny the owner the ability to reclaim his property? This feels like a land grab.

Prentiss and Leslie Weiss,
Brunswick

Huse Project Raises Parking Concerns

The Huse School has always lacked adequate parking. While it has been unused for the last few years, it’s been an overflow parking lot of the YMCA and the Recreation Department in Bath. During several busy events in the last year, Bath Police needed to be brought in to direct traffic because of the parking shortage. Without their presence, people park on curbs, in loading zones and on the playing fields.

The computer rendition of the new housing project, as shown in your Wednesday paper, does not seem to account for how any additional parking will be added beyond what is needed for the 59 new units. In addition, when the snow piles arrive in winter, further parking spaces are lost. I hope the City of Bath, the Szanton Co., the YMCA and the Rec. Department can find a way so we all have adequate parking all year.

Sarah Bingham,
Woolwich