Dear Editor:

There is a fundamental flaw in the proposed east side zoning proposal — it makes no provision for public access to the water for residents or visitors. Ushering in redevelopment without first securing physical access for everyone, regardless of means, would be irresponsible.

Waterfront Preservation is attempting to address that void with an 8/10-acre parcel. This project, if fully funded, will introduce balance to redevelopment.

The most glaring weakness revealed by an independent planning review was: “As called for in both the Comprehensive Plan and the purpose of the proposed Limited Commercial/Marine Dependent District, there are no provisions for securing and preserving “physical” access to the harbor.”

We believe an east side park/marina will improve resident quality of life and could become a tourist magnet following the example set by the Botanical Garden’s economic success.

Some are denouncing the effort as fiscally unsound. The current tax is $19,632. Boothbay Harbor’s most taxed property: Spruce Point Inn at $76,912 (13 waterfront acres, 21 buildings).

Most troubling are numbers being repeated comparing the impact of WP’s plan with a previous plan. The exaggerated numbers can be traced to this statement (September Planning Board): “The town assessor wrote to us informing us that if we build the exact same square footage at Cap’n Fish with the same amenities that I built in the town of Boothbay that my tax bill would be at least $250,000.”

Claims of $250,000-$300,000 of increased annual taxes continue. Despite the assessor and town manager completely discrediting those numbers, DEP imposing significant construction restrictions, $300,000 is repeated (Island Institute letter, Jan. 30).

With ownership of east side properties almost six times the size of the proposed park/working waterfront, the developer will be a big beneficiary of WP’s efforts and will still have ample property to express his vision.

Economic development experts would overwhelmingly agree that WP’s plan will be far better from a long-term economic development perspective than the alternative.

The time has come to respect differences and work together cooperatively to fully realize the hopes we all have for the east side and Boothbay Harbor.

Ken Fitch

on behalf of Friends of the Harbor