Dear Selectmen:

I am deeply concerned about the process promoting the Chappy Bike Path and, as a long-time property owner on Chappy, I express my opposition to a Town Committee for the path. I have been familiar with the issue for some twenty-five years. All of us are aware of the safety issue, but more time is necessary for gathering pertinent information and for discussion before proceeding with a committee. I attended the meeting at the Chappy Community Center last Tuesday.

In the early 1980's I was president of the Chappy Island Association. We discussed the issue at length and the Board decided not to support the idea. If I recall correctly, and my notes are not with me, we were especially terribly concerned when we learned that a number of property owners were unwilling to donate property for the path or to grant a right-of-way. that remains a very important issue--one completely minimized by a path proponent at the meeting at the Community Center last Tuesday. If the proposed path requires the taking of land by the Town of Edgartown, one can imagine the legal fees for the Town. At this stage it has not been established that the proposed path has majority support (it appears that it clearly does not), that it is economically feasible (especially during the present economic downturn), and that it will guarantee greater safety.

My family came to Chappy in 1953 and purchased property that winter; during the last 10-15 years of my mother's life I was trustee for her property; after her death in 1985 the house was sold and I stater building on an adjacent lot. For the past thirty years I probably have been on Chappy ten months of the year.

I believe that a majority on Chappy oppose the appointing of a committee at this time.

Sincerely,
Travis Beal Jacobs
56 Green Pastures Road