Pine Point is about to go through some more turmoil and every Scarborough citizen should be concerned. 

Five years ago owners of the Lighthouse Motel wanted to swap land with the town so they could convert their old motel to condos. They needed the land and the town’s help. That never happened because there was absolutely no benefit to the town. Since then, over the objections of a lot of people, legal maneuvers allowed them to convert the 22-unit motel to 22 condos on one-third-acre of land. That was two years ago, but they haven’t been able to sell even one (according to their brochure online, you can buy a unit for $279,000 for a 324-square-foot room, but you can only occupy it for six months). They’re back to the town with another plan to swap land, undoubtedly to add value to their “condotel.” 

Negotiations are private. Despite requests for information and details, citizens have been given little information. 

This public road is an important access to the shore and has been for generations. But for those who don’t know this fact, it gives all the appearance of a private part of the motel property. For many years barricades were placed across the road to direct traffic elsewhere in Pine Point. The plan may be to give the entire street in exchange for the motel’s small parking strip. That is about a two-for-one exchange in the motel’s favor.

People from all over Scarborough who love Pine Point must get involved. The town council should be urged to make sure the residents of Pine Point are told what is going on and their employees serve the citizens, not developers who want to make a profit.

I have to commend the Pine Point Association again for their hard work keeping the community informed. You should go to their site, www.pinepointbeach.com, and read the facts yourself.

Pine Point is, like Higgins Beach, a special place for the community to enjoy. What happens here affects everyone. If people don’t act, our public road to our beautiful shore will be in jeopardy. 

Dianne Mclellan

Scarborough