Editor:

I am writing to announce that I am running for the Monomoy Regional School Committee seat in Harwich. As a father, public works employee, union member and community activist, I believe that meaningful change comes from those who are directly involved and invested in the communities they serve.

Living in Harwich and working for the Chatham Department of Public Works, I understand the challenges families and public employees, like teachers and support staff, face and I want to help be part of the solution. With a child in the Monomoy school system, I see firsthand how important it is to ensure that teachers and staff have the support and resources they need to create the best possible learning environment.

I also believe that transparency and accountability are essential to improving our schools and community. I think it’s important to strengthen advocacy and hold board members accountable to ensure that the decisions made truly reflect the needs of our families and educators.

A major concern for working families, including those in our school district, is the rising cost of healthcare. These rising healthcare costs are driving annual budget increases, and it’s becoming clear that the leaders tasked with keeping our healthcare plans affordable and accessible are simply not showing up to meetings. There seem to be no consequences or repercussions for this, other than higher costs for employees and taxpayers. This is something I feel needs to change.

I look forward to engaging with parents, teachers and community members throughout this process. Together, we can work toward making Monomoy schools even stronger and more supportive of all students, teachers and families.

Brett Fortin
Harwich

Editor:

I'm mad as hell! Donald Trump is making a mockery of the office of president and the Constitution that governs it!

He and his cohorts are systematically destroying the basic structures that have guided our country since 1776. He disregards the Constitutional separation of powers, ignores court orders, issues "now you see it, now you don't" tariffs, and the list goes on and on. In America, who would have imagined that 7-year-old kids have to carry a list of their rights in case they might be picked up by the Trump Gestapo now known as ICE.

Just think: thousands of your fellow Americans, including veterans, are now unemployed because a rich car builder who gave Trump a lot of money has free authority to fire federal workers without cause or notice.

I have a question for all you folks who voted for Trump, and yes, that includes the rocket scientists that drove their flag-festooned pickup trucks up and down Main Street. Is that what you wanted from your president? If it is, God help our country! If not, what are you doing to fix the problem you caused?

Maybe it's my imagination, but I don’t see that many Trump signs and flags any more. Nor do I see a lot of Trump supporters writing letters to the editor about how great your president is doing. If you voted for him but are unhappy about what’s going on, for God’s sake say or do something to save our country.

Joe Boro
South Chatham

Editor:

I am a retired educator always interested in town educational budgets. In The Chronicle's March 27 edition, in the article on the Orleans Elementary School’s budget, I noticed that the numbers stated about the budget were either unclear, miscalculated or information was left out. Simply put, the article stated that OES has 150 students, with a 2026 budget of $4,854,851. This divided by 150 is $32,365 per student, but Mr. Mahoney of the Orleans Finance Committee stated $42,000.

If you read further, the special education budget of $1,298,062 was mentioned. It was very unclear if this number stood alone or was to be added to the $4,854,851, which when added to the 2026 number, divided by 150 is closer, $40,959. Then I remembered from teaching that the special education budget was always incorporated into the final budget. If that is correct, what is missing to bring the average cost per student up to $42,000? I asked a friend and was told that the information in the article was not complete: The 2026 budget of $4,854,861 is correct but the fringe benefits of $1,530,197 and the capital of $27,000 was left out of the total. This added to $6,412,058, which is the actual budget of the OES in 2026 (as reported in the town budget) when divided by 150 equals $42,747 per the range in Mr. Mahoney's statement.

My point is in these times of escalating costs, clarity and accuracy in reporting are needed for the taxpayers to be able to make informed decisions.

Susanne Strenz-Thibault
Orleans

Editor’s note: Last week's story on the Orleans Elementary School budget did indeed present a figure that did not factor in the cost of employee benefits. The total elementary school budget for fiscal 2026 is $6,353,347. We apologize for the error.

Editor:

Having retired after 34 years, 24 as a school principal in another Massachusetts regional school district, I have been extremely impressed with the Monomoy Regional School District (MRSD) budget since taking up permanent residence in Harwich in 2015. My career experience convinced me that, along with strong leadership and competent, caring teachers, the school budget is the most important factor determining the quality of the educational experience of the students of any school system. 

Harwich and Chatham have supported the MRSD with a most enviable budget, which has resulted in the district being a magnet, attracting students from other districts under School Choice, while most of its resident students remain in the district for their education.

As a Harwich resident, I am grateful to the Harwich Select Board for its desire to maintain what has been established. I am also grateful to the Chatham Select Board for taking up the invitation of the Harwich Board to meet jointly at 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8 in the Griffin Room at Harwich Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

Hovering very near its levy limit with the MRSD budget making up nearly 40 percent of the total town budget, and anticipating the accrual of millions of dollars of new debt, it is obvious to Harwich that maintaining its MRSD assessments under the current regional agreement is unsustainable.

Throughout the important discussions, both towns are urged to maintain focus on data and the primary goal, which brings together the best interests of the students of the MRSD.

Charles Gruszka
Harwich

Editor:

At first glance, it appears that adopting the Seasonal Community designation would be a wonderful idea. But before we leap, shouldn’t we be a little more circumspect in our examination of what this means for our town?

The state law we are being asked to adopt will allow us to create year-round attainable and affordable housing, i.e. these new houses will be deed-restricted to year-round occupancy. It also provides for the construction of “tiny houses.” So far, it sounds good.

But wait. It requires we change our zoning in residential areas to allow for the development of “undersized lots.” So how many undersized lots are there in town? Can you create more undersized lots? Can the town limit the number of properties, or keep to areas in town where this makes most sense? Should we be concerned about the drain on our already challenged water supply? Do we have the resources for this unknown amount of development now and beyond? And if we should deem that we are “built out” per the town’s definition, can we opt out of this designation? Answers to these and additional concerns are described as “unclear."

Considering that we have four housing projects currently underway, doesn’t it make sense to see how well the town adapts to another 200-plus residences before rushing headlong into adopting this law with so many unknowns? 

We don’t lobby against the adoption of this designation; we simply ask that we wait for the state to develop guidance and the town to conduct a build-out analysis so that taxpaying voters can make an informed decision. Proponents will tell you that early adopters stand a better chance of getting grant money. We think that chance doesn’t outweigh the necessity for careful consideration.

Barbara Matteson
Kristin Andres
Chatham 

Editor:

To the person who dug up the daffodil bulbs I planted on the side of Old Queen Anne Road: Come on, man. 

Everyone always talks about driving Route 6A and seeing the spring flowers. Three years ago I decided to start a little area of daffodils on the road right by my house in Chatham. I purchased 40 bulbs that fall and planted them. The next spring there were flowers in the little dirt patch alongside the road. So successful, in fact, were my efforts that I purchased more bulbs that fall and planted them alongside the others.

In the last few weeks I have been watching the green stalks push through the earth and looked forward to the flowers to follow. To my shock and dismay, I noticed this last weekend that where plants were starting to emerge was now just dug-up soil and shoe prints. My plan for a little spot of spring flowers to be enjoyed by everyone was spoiled. A few bulbs escaped the shovel but the vast majority are gone. 

There are bulbs for sale at many places all over Cape Cod, I know because I bought them twice. Why dig up the ones that I planted? To the person that dug up my efforts, please know that not everything along the side of the road should be considered free for the taking.

Andrew Swenson
Chatham

Editor:

Nauset Youth Alliance, the afterschool and summer program in Brewster, is excited to be partnering with the town of Brewster, the Brewster School Committee and the Brewster Whitecaps to replace the playground at Stony Brook Elementary School, a playground that is at least 25 years old. 

NYA is contributing $410,000 (secured through grants) in funding toward this project, the Brewster Whitecaps have pledged $25,000, and the town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has approved an additional $550,000. However, these funds still require approval at the upcoming Brewster Town Meeting on May 5.

This much-needed playground renovation will bring key improvements, including updated and modern equipment for safe and inclusive play; accessible features so all children, regardless of ability, can participate; repaved basketball courts for safer play and recreation; expanded grass areas for soccer and other outdoor activities; poured-in-place walkways to improve accessibility; and new protective netting to keep children safe from foul balls during Brewster Whitecaps baseball games.

A “yes” vote will not impact the taxes one currently pays. Community Preservation Act funds are generated by the town’s real estate revenues and are matched by the state via a formula set by the state. Brewster’s CPA funds include open space and recreation projects such as a new Stony Brook Playground.

We hope you will join us in making this vision a reality. If you are a Brewster resident, please attend the town meeting on May 5 and vote in favor of CPC funding. NYA will be providing childcare that evening for families. If you need childcare, please contact the NYA office at info@nausetyouthalliance.org.

Thank you for supporting this investment in the future of our community.

David M. Rost
Former Executive Director of Nauset Youth Alliance
Brewster