Editor:

Scarborough is still in many ways a collection of villages. Pine Point, with its beautiful beach and access to the Scarborough River and Saco Bay, is treasured by people all over town and beyond. And like the Higgins and Ferry Beach areas, access to the shore is precious and priceless and finite. Consequently it should be of great concern to Scarborough citizens.

The town of Scarborough is considering a change in Pine Point which could forever change the nature of an important historical access point to Pine Point Beach.

 The Pine Point Road begins at Route 1 at Dunstan Corner and quite literally ends at the sensitive frontal dunes of Pine Point Beach. The last 300 feet of the approximately 50-foot wide, paved road runs directly in front of the Lighthouse Motel. The motel is on the left (northerly side) as one drives down to the beach, and the motel’s parking “strip,” (a 21 or 22 foot-wide area of parking spaces), runs parallel to the Motel on the southerly side of the public road. 

 This wide, paved section of road has for generations been very important to beachgoers, fishermen, dog owners, birdwatchers, horse trainers, surf clammers, and the general public. It was a point for emergency access to the beach and is the widest developed oceanfront public road in Pine Point. The road is used year-round, not just during the summer season when the motel is open, and the town keeps it plowed all winter.

The town has negotiated a land exchange with the motel which would have the effect of closing off this road forever. We urge you to learn more about this plan and attend the July 15 public hearing at town hall to share your views. You can contact town hall for information or visit the Web site www.pinepointbeach.com.

Christine Provencher, Pam Dalphonse, Joan Lourie, Sue Perrin