To the Editor:

The Notos Group remains committed to Wareham, the economic development opportunity here and the proposed rezoning that would unlock this potential. We are grateful for the feedback we received during recent meetings with the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board, which we have incorporated into the rezoning article that will be considered by town meeting, and we look forward to continuing our dialog with the community at all levels.

Having been involved with two successful, job- and tax-producing projects on the South Shore — Marina Bay and the Granite Links Golf Club — we see the Wareham site as presenting a unique competitive advantage to the town in the coming, post-COVID battle for jobs and tax revenue. Our hope is that we can eventually become a partner with the town, as we have in other communities, on a project that suits the town’s needs.

But the hope and promise of new economic development cannot be realized without the rezoning because the only use currently allowed on the site is housing, which would result in a net loss to the town of $800,000. That’s the wrong direction. Town officials are already hard at work trying to manage pandemic-driven budget cuts.

As the holidays approach, we want to thank the town – from elected and appointed leaders to business owners to community and neighborhood advocates -- for the warmth and openness with which they have welcomed us into the community to participate in this important discussion.

Happy holidays and we’ll see you in the New Year at Town Meeting.

Thomas P. O’Connell

Founder and Managing Member

The Notos Group