Editor:

 I would like to respond to Mr. Patrick O’Riley’s letter printed in your paper Oct. 3, regarding sidewalks on Route 1 and in particular the ones not yet completed in front of Dunstan Plaza.

 I’m surprised Mr. O’Riley, as a former town councilor, was unaware of the compromise plan to allow placement of sidewalks in front of Dunstan Plaza that I had begun negotiating with the town several weeks ago.

 It seems Mr. O’Riley also did not consider the impact a 10-foot setback would have on the five businesses this parking lot supports. These five businesses provide employment to more than 35 people and customer parking is crucial. 

 Finally Mr. O’Reily is obviously unaware that the town and its contractors have been using Dunstan Plaza as a staging location throughout construction. In fact every Wednesday Dunstan Plaza is the project meeting location for the contractors and town officials.  

 I guess Mr. O’Riley needs to be a better informed “community watch dog”…

 Many thanks to the Assistant Town Planner Jay Chace and the Public Works Director Michael Shaw for meeting with me and my wife Dr. Demitroula Kouzounas in order to come up with a workable solution for the new sidewalk at Dunstan Plaza.

 Joseph G Penna DMD

Scarborough