Letter: Mashpee solar overlay district could prevent clear-cutting, property development
I have been a Mashpee resident for more than 25 years and am the lead citizen petitioner of the articles calling for the creation of a solar overlay district at the site of a former sandpit south of Route 151.
I urge all Mashpee residents to attend town meeting on May 2 and follow the recommendation of our Planning Board and Finance Committee to vote “yes” on Articles 29-34 to create the district and vote “no” on Article 35, which would effectively kill the project with excessive restrictions.
As a longtime resident, real estate professional, and a proponent of renewable energy, I believe that solar represents the highest and best use of the subject site for our community.
The proposed solar array project represents a rare opportunity for Mashpee to embrace a low-impact project with a significant 20-year revenue stream ($275,000 per year), while not placing further financial burden on our wastewater, transfer station, police and fire departments and school system.
The planned project also preserves a significant treed buffer along the perimeter of the properties, ensuring the solar arrays are not visible to abutters or passersby on adjacent roadways, while minimizing traffic concerns. And lastly, Mashpee residents can opt into the project through the state’s SMART program, translating into a 10-15% savings on monthly electric bills.
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As several other towns on Cape Cod already have, I hope Mashpee will leverage this opportunity to offset future costs of major municipal proposals, including construction of a sewer system.
If town meeting does not approve the solar overlay district on May 2, I am extremely concerned that the current owner will pursue considerable "approval not required" (ANR) development potential this site offers, which would involve clear-cutting and create dramatic and immediate changes to the neighborhood landscape.
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It would be a travesty if the town squanders this opportunity to provide its citizens the financial and environmental benefits this project provides. This is a unique opportunity to do what is in the best interest of our town.
Again, please vote “yes” on Articles 29-34 and “no” on Article 35.
John Janedy, Mashpee
Masks, distancing still necessary despite Fauci's announcement
As spring has now fully arrived, we’re getting ready for a busy summer and Barnstable County naturally wants to put thoughts of COVID aside. We have a lot to do, after all. But despite Dr. Fauci stating that the epidemic has entered a new phase, our cases on Cape Cod doubled in just two weeks. Hospitalizations are up 300% too, according to the New York Times, while I am seeing fewer people wearing masks or practicing distancing.
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Many, even on local broadcasting, are claiming masks don’t work. They are mandatory in hospitals because they do work. I’ll choose a doctor’s advice over right-wing pundits when it comes to my health — every time. I expected numbers to continue to fall as the fishing season approached. They’re rising. Fast. Put on your lifejacket. It looks like a bumpy ride.
Fritz Lauenstein, Dennisport
Legislation to prevent health care worker injuries long overdue
On April 13th, I read with envy the article, “Baker Signs Nero’s Law.” (4/13) Don’t get me wrong, this is a good piece of legislation. It protects our police dogs and those they defend. My envy is due to the rapid passage of this bill, first introduced and signed in less than four years.
There’s a nursing crisis. Too many nurses and other health care workers are leaving the bedside. They continue to work in the field but in other capacities. The crisis is not new and not due to the pandemic but is exasperated by it and worsening.
Related: Some Cape Cod nursing homes prove unsafe for residents due to labor shortage
Many bills have been filed by the Massachusetts Nurses Association which will protect nurses and other direct caregivers. One will protect us from musculoskeletal injuries acquired from lifting patients. It also allows early patient mobility, which decreases complications. The bill calls on employers to develop programs and purchase various lifting devices. These injuries occur more than they do for construction workers. This bill was first filed 20 years ago!
Two other bills will have a program developed to prevent workplace violence and another to have violence/assault against providers be a felony. These assaults occur against health care workers more than police officers. This bill was filed 15 years ago!
I will continue to advocate for these and other bills but I’m happy to see good bills can get passed quickly.
Beth Piknick, Centerville
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mashpee: Solar overlay district could stop land development
