The purpose of the proposed plan is allegedly to incorporate the neighborhood residents into the downtown commerce area. This is putting the cart before the horse. I suggest we clean up the vacant lot on the corner or Newton and Main — the central focal point of anyone going through our town — for starters, including removing the dilapidated chain link fence. Then, we encourage existing store/restaurant owners to clean up the trash and cigarette butts clogging the sidewalk. Then we figure out what the purpose of the VFW building — is it in use? Then we pave the sidewalks (!) and road in the center of town. THEN we can start thinking about a commercial area in the center of town. And only then do we need to discuss whether changing the zoning of the residences nearby will encourage those residents to feel more incorporated into our community.

The Lyman Street neighborhood alone has more than 15 young children living there. Many of the homes are more than 100 years old. Changing the zoning of the street around the downtown area detracts from the historic, bucolic and economic value of these homes.