Editor:

 The Pine Point Residents Association urges the town council to reverse its action on the four council orders voted on July 15 related to the end of the Pine Point Road. Council rules allow for reconsideration votes so mistakes can be corrected for the public good.

Aug. 19 is the council’s only opportunity to reverse what would be an irreversible loss of an historical public road to the shore.

 Twenty-nine speakers addressed the council July 15 urging a vote against the plan. One person spoke in favor. Many argued for more study and details before making a rushed decision. A petition with 374 names was presented and the town clerk validated it. 

 A public hearing is a tradition of public decision making. When an important issue brings out so many citizens to address their elected officials, it is in the best interest of the community for councilors to be receptive to the testimony of its residents and taxpayers. 

 During debate, four councilors indicated they would not support the proposed land exchange or were leaning that way. Councilors Roy, D’Andrea and Rancourt voted against the first order and offered excellent reasons. To paraphrase Councilor Sullivan: Coming in before the meeting tonight I was prepared to vote yes on this; however, listening to some common sense thing I think we need more details on it.

He voted for the plan, however, but has an opportunity to reconsider and change his vote consistent with his instincts and words. 

 A one-vote margin, cast by a councilor who clearly intended to vote against the plan, combined with the other factors mentioned above, ought to result in a unanimous reconsideration vote by the council reversing its decision.  Short of that we urge the four who expressed their concern to make sure your votes really matter because you listened to the people and heard, as Councilor Sullivan said, the “common sense” of the people.

Representatives of the Pine Point Residents Association

 Jack Callahan, Joe DeGrinney, Judy Shirk, Sue Perrino, Judy Mushial, John Thurlow, Harold Hutchinson, Elaine Richer