The town is currently negotiating a land swap with the Lighthouse Motel in Pine Point. It is considering giving away the entire public road, which goes right to Pine Point Beach, to the motel owners. In return the town would get the motel’s 20-foot parking strip.

Depot Street is the historical name of this precious beach road (the very end of the Pine Point Road) It is prime beachfront shore access. All of Scarborough’s citizens benefit from this highly visible area. Depot Street is a public road and an important point to drop off or view the ocean.

This could happen very soon. Please call the town manager and town council to urge them to take their time and involve the public. I can’t imagine giving away public land at the beach so no one would ever be able to drive or walk down that road again.  A lot of people park on Depot Street during the off-season to use the beach such as horse owners who bring their horses for exercise. Fishermen, birdwatchers, and dog owners are among those who depend on this access road. If the town gives away the 50-foot-wide road in exchange for the motel’s 20-foot parking strip, that will all change, forever.

On June 17, this matter might be presented to the town council. Anyone who loves Scarborough, Pine Point and our beautiful beach should check the agenda on the town’s Web site and attend.

On June 24 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a community meeting at Engine 4 in Pine Point to discuss this and other neighborhood concerns.  .

For more information, go to the Pine Point Association’s Web site, www.pinepointbeach.com. The goal of the association is to make Pine Point a better place for all people in Scarborough.  You can join the association’s email list for updates by emailing me at  jshirk@maine.rr.com.

Judy Shirk

Scarborough