To the Editor:
A year ago the 150 foot setback was voted in at the town meeting. The main concern obviously was to provide more protection for the waterfront as well as the four ponds that are in or are part of Bremen. One does not need scientific data to know that every foot counts.
At a hearing two weeks ago on this subject a sign was held up “Closed To Digging Clams.” What more proof than that does this town need to be more aggressive protecting a very important resource.
A petition against this setback was presented by some individuals that the 150 feet did not personally suit. What they fail to realize is that this setback is meant for the town as a whole.
They also may not realize that there are four commercial fishing docks in town and over 40 people that depend on digging clams for a living. Maybe some just don’t care.
Aren’t the ponds public and there for all to enjoy? Just think with Bremen’s housing cap in 10-12 years there could be as many as 80-100 more houses in this town. Many but not all will be built on the much sought after waterfront. Isn’t it in our best interest to be proactive now? Why wait until it’s too late?
Most of us just want to keep what we have. If we don’t fight back they will eventually take it all away. Bremen will become a mini Camden or Boothbay Harbor.
Even worse than this setback debate is another petition to start picking away at our waterfront with some kind of dual zoning, again to suit the needs of a certain person who is not seeing the big picture here.
Of the 5300 miles of waterfront along the coast of Maine only 25 miles is commercially zoned. We need to leave this alone. This is a really serious matter.
I urge the people of Bremen who really care and love where they live to unite and fight against these self serving petitions. Bremen’s Town Meeting is Saturday, March 28. at 2 p.m. See you there!
Melanee Osier-Gilbert, Bremen
