‘Ignoring’ the Part-Timers
To the editor:
Last week’s front-page article “Town Meeting to Consider New Rental Measures” reported a Provincetown Select Board member’s concern over what was characterized as “misinformation” in an Aug. 31 Provincetown Part-Time Resident Taxpayers Association newsletter and suggested that it somehow impacted public comments at a Sept. 11 select board meeting.
We are genuinely happy that the select board reads our newsletter. However, if the board thought that the referenced sentence in that newsletter — the focus of which was the increase in the residential tax exemption and not short-term rentals — was so misleading, there was ample time between Aug. 31 and Sept. 11 to ask for a clarification. If the select board is reading PPRTA newsletters, it certainly knows how to contact us.
Any concerns over “misinformation” could easily be avoided by simply allowing part-timers to have a meaningful voice in the process over matters that impact them — that is, work together as opposed to ignoring and dismissing. Imagine what we could accomplish: showing that our Provincetown political system is different by demonstrating tolerance and teamwork and not attempting to stifle comments.
Pat Miller
Provincetown and Brooklyn, N.Y.
The writer is president of the Provincetown Part-Time Resident Taxpayers Association.
Noise at the Brewery
To the editor:
Thank you for your article on the controversy between the Provincetown Brewing Company and its neighbors over noise generated by their outdoor events past and, perhaps, future [“Neighbors Don’t Like Sound of Brewery’s Permit Request,” Sept. 14, page A6]. The article left me with several questions.
Statements by co-owner Erik Borg made it clear that, on repeated occasions over the past two summers, PBC has staged outdoor events in violation of its existing license, which states that entertainment may take place only indoors with the doors closed. Piping the sound of an indoor event outside at levels that can be heard 350 to 400 feet away is also a violation of the town’s nuisance ordinance, which limits the audible distance to 50 feet. The brewery’s owners have repeatedly been made aware of how far the noise carries.
What becomes of town government if leaders pick and choose which town regulations they abide by and which they do not?
In the article, Mr. Borg states, “When it comes to volume, the last thing we want to do is become a nuisance.” How does this square with the fact that this past summer he has ignored numerous polite requests from neighboring homeowners and businesses to turn down the volume?
Borg characterizes opposition to PBC’s request as “fear of the unknown.” PBC has already demonstrated what they believe “reasonable sound levels” to be, and the neighborhood has stated clearly in letters to the zoning board of appeals that the present situation is unacceptable. What remains unknown about how they will conduct their business once they receive the blanket permission they seek?
Without an objectively verifiable standard of noise level enforced by someone other than the creators of the noise, the neighborhood is defenseless.
John W. Tyler
Provincetown
False ‘Efficiencies’
To the editor:
Last week’s Letter From the Editor [“Local News, Local Economy,” page A2] called out an important issue that essentially nobody talks about. The consolidation of businesses and organizations, in so many sectors, has proved incredibly problematic.
Advocates claim that consolidation will lead to “efficiencies” when in fact the opposite often occurs. Consolidation can lead to monopolies, resulting in higher prices and reduced attention to local issues.
Our government, at every level, has completely dropped the ball on this issue.
Tony Schoener
Eastham and Southborough
Don’t Take the Porta-Potties
To the editor:
I am perplexed as to why the porta-potties are taken down at the Wellfleet ponds so early in September.
There are still many residents and visitors enjoying the warm water and the beauty of the ponds. There are young children playing in and around the water. Are we encouraging them to do their business in the water?
Haven’t many citizens worked hard to help keep our ponds pristine and bacteria-free? Can’t the town wait at least another month before removing these structures?
Madeleine Entel
Wellfleet
