We noticed in the local paper that the Planning Board is going to be discussing the disposal of land behind the old Saco Street School on Saco Street. The Westbrook Housing Authority has built some condos behind the homes and store that are near the school. The Fraternal Order of Eagles has recently bought the school and has done some extensive renovation work to the building that is quite lovely.
Obviously, the Eagles Club would like the property, as it is situated directly behind the building and would certainly be ideal for a parking area that the club desperately needs. The Eagles are a “people helping people” organization and support needs all over the country including, of course, the latest Katrina devastation. They raise money for charitable groups by the dues of the members and the renting out of their good-sized hall for recreational events such as wedding receptions, parties, and other fund raising events.
When such an event is in progress, parking is at a minimum, and often folks have even parked on Saco Street, which is not good. This area behind the building would be a great help and they desperately could use it.
The Westbrook Housing Authority really does not need this space for parking. These are condos that will have only one or two cars in a driveway. They are a tax-funded organization, and although they have done a fine job here in Westbrook on building homes for the elderly and needy folks, we think that their ownership of the parking area would be frivolous and unnecessary and we would rather have our tax-dollars used elsewhere.
Also, we understand that one of the Planning Board members is employed by the Westbrook Housing Authority! We find this to be a serious conflict of interest, particularly in regard to this issue, and actually we don’t think any employee of the Westbrook Housing Authority should be sitting on the Planning Board, since this board deals often with available property.
So, please consider this piece of property in its fair light. The Fraternal Order of Eagles really need that parking space.
Thank you.
Paul and Dianne LeConte
Westbrook
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