That’s No ‘Lap Pool’
To the editor:
Your article about 99 Bayberry Ave. in Provincetown was informative [“Homeowners Take Town to Court Over Pool Project,” Jan. 5, page A4].
I have been a design consultant for pools for 30 years. The proposed 20-by-40-foot swimming pool in the property owners’ plan is not a “lap pool.” The term “lap” is commonly reserved for pools not much more than 10 feet wide and 4 feet deep.
I wonder if the town’s planning board gets that. If the owners could design a true lap pool instead of a deep swimming and entertainment area perhaps both the objections of the neighbors and the stress to the land’s integrity would decrease.
John Livingstone
Provincetown
Traffic in Truro
To the editor:
I have read of some of the plans for development of the Walsh property in Truro in the Independent and on the town of Truro website. Many residents, property owners, part-time residents, and visitors are concerned about groundwater, traffic congestion and safety, and the rural character of the town.
While sensitive to the needs of the community for affordable housing and municipal facilities, I urge caution in proceeding with these plans.
With the number of housing units being discussed, I hope we can bring the issues of traffic safety and management into the planning process sooner rather than later. You have reported that the town’s consultant believes that the property could accommodate 200 to 225 units. That is a very large number for a single neighborhood. At present, there is very limited access to Route 6 — essentially a private road off the state highway.
I wonder what planners envision for the future of this intersection. I am no expert (and those will be brought in later), but I don’t guess a single stop sign from the Walsh property onto a two-lane undivided state highway will suffice.
I imagine a much more robust traffic safety and management scheme must be anticipated. Will that include a stoplight — Truro’s first? Will it include a third or fourth lane on Route 6? Will it include a divided highway? Left turns westbound from North Truro and Provincetown onto the Walsh property, as well as left turns from the Walsh property onto Route 6, will be high-risk maneuvers, especially in summer.
Geoffrey Doherty
Boxborough
