From: Fran Clay <fclay_2000@yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: Chappy Bike Path Up-date
> To: colvin@helix.mgh.harvard.edu, "chappybikepath" <chappybikepath@aol.com>
> Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 7:16 PM
> We read your email update #5 which
> was intended to inform the community as to the progress of a
> mixed use path plan for Chappy.
> 
> As you know we opposed to building a path along the south
> side of our road. 
> 
> We found your email to be somewhat truthful, but very much
> misleading.
> 
> You state as facts that there is more traffic, faster
> vehicle speeds, and larger vehicles. The truth is that the
> Chappy Ferry owner reported that vehicle trips have
> declined 25% from last year's numbers. It's common knowledge
> that construction activity here has been much less for
> years. The Trustees of Reservations' vehicle counts have
> been steadily dropping. No one can come here by the beach
> route anymore because of the breach. Traffic is down
> SIGNIFICANTLY.
> 
> We know that no one has done a vehicle speed study. 
> 
> Cars are smaller, not larger; and SUV'S while they are
> taller and give a better view of the road, may not be wider
> than our old cars used to be.
> 
> We attended both the Selectmen and Planning Board meetings.
> Our observations on the outcome of those meetings are as
> follows.
> 
> The biggest issue that both boards had with your plan was
> that so many people on Chappy are opposed to a mixed use
> path along our road. The Boards made it very clear that
> there would be little town support as long as there was
> significant opposition. You failed to mention this in your
> community update.
> 
> Both boards stated that before jumping into a mixed use
> path, perceived safety and congestion issues need to be
> identified, and alternatives discussed and considered.
> THAT'S why the Planning Board suggested that the MVC get
> involved. You failed to mention this in your community
> update.
> 
> You plan to sponsor an opinion poll. We already have one.
> Just type into chappybikepath.com. It's an interesting and
> transparent website. You can vote for or against a path. You
> can write a letter which will be displayed. You can change
> your vote. It gives you a real feel for the opinion pulse of
> our neighborhood on this issue.
> 
> The last time we looked at the website the opposition to a
> path well outnumbered proponents. It's easy for us to
> understand why your committee would be trying to send out an
> opinion survey with questions developed by YOUR COMMITTEE.
> 
> Would you please forward this to all of those who got your
> update #5 email so that they can have a clearer picture of
> what has happened?
> 
> Thanks--Bob and Fran Clay
>