More Concerned Residents Speak out!

To whom It May Concern:

I am very dismayed to learn of the Town of Dennis’ plans to construct a parking lot at the Mayflower end of Horsefoot Path.  I am equally upset over the somewhat clandestine manner in which the subject plan has evolved.  Clearly, town intentions and proposed plans have not been publicly posted, openly discussed nor resident inputs solicited.  This is disheartening and causes one to wonder why and what’s going on behind the scenes, as it is not the normal forthright manner in which Dennis does business.

I was partially raised in the Orleans/Eastham area, am a retired 22-year, USAF colonel, and a current government civilian at Hanscom AFB.  We have owned property on Donovan Way since 1982 and plan on retiring there permanently in a few years.  We chose Dennis because of our superb neighbors, the town’s openness and “home-town” attitudes, and the charm of the Mayflower Beach area.  We have always recognized and accepted the traffic situation at Mayflower, though it has expanded exponentially since our arrival. Even now traffic volume is prohibitively excessive by 0900 for hours on EVERY sunny beach day.  In fact, it is extensive enough to actually block the passage of emergency vehicles, as was proven this past weekend (30 Jul).  I understand the proposed lot will cost $4M(+) for 69 parking spaces.  How much is charged for parking, $20/vehicle?  Given the 100 days of summer, that’s about $1,380/day into the town coffer (less expenses).  At that rate, it would require roughly 2,898.55 days, or a minimum of 28.99 years (or more due to lost bad weather days) to amortize the parking lot cost.  This is not a good deal.

Given the relatively minimal increase in parking capability, the excessive cost involved, the likely tax increase to ALL town residents, the quantum increase in vehicles  exacerbating an already unmanageable traffic situation, and the loss of even more Cape ambiance at a cost to the fragile beach eco-system, I can see no value to this plan.  If I can recognize these issues, I wonder why the town officers are so anxious to push it through?  Just who is benefitting from this “caper”?  Certainly not the tax-paying residents.  We would welcome open disclosure and a full explanation.