Greetings fellow citizens.

I write to you today to correct some misinformation in an opinion piece in Wareham Week regarding the proposed rezoning article to be considered by Wareham voters at a Special Town Meeting this Saturday, April 10th (“Opinion: Selectman Teitelbaum says beware of misinformation” April 6).

As a citizen of this Town and Wareham Land Trust President, I attended every Planning Board meeting regarding the proposed rezoning of East Wareham since the meetings began on November 30, 2020, and I have submitted letters expressing our concerns to the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board. By attending all these Planning Board meetings, I have seen this proposal change from acreage that was roughly one-quarter of the Town (from Charge Pond Road and Route 25 north and east to Plymouth) to 963 acres and now to 756 acres.  

In regards to my comments at the April 5th Planning Board meeting, I read straight from the proposed bylaw. “1720.6. Dimensional Requirements, section 1720.6.4 Open Space – A minimum of 25% of the mixed-use development subject to a HREOD Special Permit shall be reserved for Open Space.” I also read from our current Zoning By-laws section “440 Groundwater Protection Overlay District, section 442.1.2.  The maximum lot coverage of the total ground area by all structures, paved areas, and other impervious surfaces does not exceed 15 percent or 2,500 square feet, whichever is greater.”  How one overlay allowing dense development can be placed on top of another which prohibits it is one of the many contradictions never explained by either the Planning Board or the Selectmen.  

While several communities depend on the Plymouth-Carver Sole Source Aquifer, the area in the rezoning proposal is almost entirely in Wareham’s Zone II Wellhead Protection Area - as designated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The current zoning for that area (1 house/3 acres) is in place to minimize development and its impact on the aquifer.  Both Wareham’s and Onset’s municipal drinking water wells are adjacent. A representative of Onset Water was also at Monday’s meeting and questioned why no one has discussed the rezoning proposal with them despite its proximity to their wells.  

Despite the length of the article, the proponent offered no plans. How then can a citizen determine the impact commercial development will have on their drinking water – quality and quantity? What will be the effect on the aquifer, surrounding rivers, streams, ponds and estuaries? How much wastewater will they generate and how will that wastewater impact our current wastewater crisis?

The Wareham Land Trust, our members and our partners are concerned about our Town and the impact large-scale commercial development will have on our drinking water supplies and the Pine Barrens habitat that supports numerous endangered and threatened species. We care deeply about our community and will continue to work in close partnership with the Town of Wareham to purchase and conserve critical natural resources while helping to create and maintain trails for Wareham citizens to use and enjoy. 

The Wareham Land Trust strongly opposes Article 1 to create a Hospitality, Recreation and Entertainment Overlay District in East Wareham. I urge all citizens to read Article 1 while keeping in mind the source of your precious drinking water and quality of life for future generations. Please come to Special Town Meeting this Saturday, April 10th, at 12 noon and cast your vote. 

Sincerely,

Kathy Pappalardo

President

Wareham Land Trust