Letters to the Editor

In a letter to Truro News, Peter Moody responds to recent commentary by Roberta Lema and Warren Tobias, arguing that many taxpayers feel disconnected from decision-making at all levels of government. He calls for a pause on new spending and development, urging the town to complete existing projects: housing, the Truro Motor Inn site, and a scaled-down DPW, before approving additional initiatives.

Warren Tobias writes a passionate appeal for responsible and planned growth management in Truro. He builds upon a prior letter by Roberta Lema (“Say What?”), agreeing with her critique. He aligns with concerns about overdevelopment plans and rising taxes, highlighting a lack of coordinated planning among Town committees about water, safety, roads and traffic, and other impacts. Tobias warns of over $100 million in looming debt tied to infrastructure and development projects, calling for a moratorium on large undertakings until a comprehensive Growth Master Plan is created. His message is clear: Truro must prioritize environmental sustainability, fiscal restraint, and community preservation over unchecked expansion.

Truro’s central corridor along Route 6 is more than just a highway—it’s a defining landscape of pines, dunes, and open space that welcomes residents and visitors alike. The Committee to Preserve the Route 6 Greenway is urging action now to prevent development from transforming this scenic gateway into pavement and glare. Learn how local protections can preserve this treasure of Truro’s natural beauty and rural character for generations.

Jack Riemer, a member of the Committee to Preserve the Greenway, warns that Truro faces intertwined environmental and fiscal risks. Overdevelopment threatens water supplies, financial stability, and the Route 6 Greenway — a vital ecological, economic, and natural asset. Citing “Jack’s Gas” as a cautionary case, he urges establishing and protecting a designated Route 6 Greenway. Riemer advocates a coordinated strategy — conservation, design, and mobility—paired with stronger policy tools to align growth with community values, safeguard Truro’s identity and rural character, and build a sustainable, affordable future for current residents.

Roberta Lema welcomes improved decorum at public meetings but is alarmed by several committees — especially the Zoning Task Force—which she says endanger Truro’s rural character, environment, and fiscal stability. A former official and lifelong resident, she warns “extreme” development may not help Truro residents, and could irreversibly damage the town, strain resources, raise costs, and erase community oversight. Her letter is both a warning and a rallying cry: pay attention, ask tough questions, and act before Truro becomes unrecognizable. “Say What?” translates to “Did they really say that?”—inviting neighbors to listen and decide for themselves.