Geoffrey Kontje and Norma Costain Kontje 
249 Chappaquiddick Road 
Edgartown, MA 02539 
Edgartown Selectmen
Community Preservation Committee Members Dec 11, 2008 
Town Hall 
Edgartown, MA 
RE: Funding request for Chappaquiddick Mixed Use path 2nd survey.
Dear Selectmen and CPC members,
Please do not approve the application before you to fund a second engineering survey on Chappaquiddick for a mixed-use/bike path. It is a premature expenditure of much needed tax dollars. I request this based on the following:
I have seen the existing survey and it provides a great deal of information to those of us considering the advancement of this project. Only a small group of people have seen it since it was originally produced over 10 years ago. The professionally prepared survey covers the area from the ferry slip to the intersection of Dike Rd and Chappaquiddick Rd. It includes detailed information on the road layout, location of telephone poles, property boundaries and other meaningful information. The greater Chappy community should have the opportunity to r and eview and comment before Town money is spent on a 2nd survey. 
A survey of the proposed bike path extension along Dike Road can be made at a later date when it has been determined that the road does not fall under the ‘rural road DCPC, and the community AGREES to a path along it. 
The group applying for these funds has chosen a poor time to pursue a tax dollar investment, as most residents are away from Chappy, and busy preparing for the holiday season. The Chappaquiddick Community MUST have a chance to review existing material before more money, time and energy is spent on advancing an un-reviewed plan. 
I have reviewed all preceding Chappy Bike path evaluations, and submit that a great deal of review and planning can and must be done BEFORE money is spent on a second engineering study. 
I submit that a MEPA review may be necessary. 
I submit that an MVC DRI review may be necessary as any Chappy bike path will link to the rest of the island’s bike paths.
In closing, residents have additional ideas to put forth regarding bike path design and layout, but would rather discuss them openly, in a transparent process incorporating the hard work of previous Chappy Bike Path volunteers. Please don’t preclude this process by approving funding for a duplicate survey. Surely there are other CPA applicants more worthy of $25,000 this year. The Chappy bike path group can re-apply next year with the blessings of the larger community. 
Respectfully,
Geoffrey Kontje and Norma