Editor,

I read with interest the article on St. Joseph’s College, and felt that I should point out a factual error. St. Joe’s proposal was brought before the Board of Appeals for consideration, not the zoning board. White’s Bridge Road is zoned rural-residential, and the college needs a special exception to build the dorms.

I am surprised that you did not interview any of the neighbors who so vehemently oppose this newest expansion. They have many reasons for not wanting five dormitories, housing up to 350 more students, added to the campus. Traffic and safety is the biggest concern.

Whites Bridge Road is a 40 miles per hour, no passing road, yet we have all experienced cars speeding past us at far greater speeds only to come to a screeching halt in order to turn into the college. There is a stop sign at the college entrance to White’s Bridge, but it is regularly avoided, and cars are constantly pulling out in front of ongoing traffic. The college has proposed a traffic light at the intersection of Whites Bridge and Route 35, but that will do nothing to slow the traffic heading to and from St. Joseph’s College. It will only hinder those who are driving on Route 35, which is 50 miles per hour at that spot. Route 35 doesn’t need another stop light.

Vandalism is another reason neighbors oppose the additional students. The college can’t even manage the ones they have now. We live on Hearthside Road, and our mailbox has twice been smashed when drunken St. Joe’s students have decided to take a joyride down our road with a baseball bat.

Moreover, we have found remnants of bonfires in our woods, complete with condoms and empty beer cans. So far, we’ve been lucky that our whole woods haven’t gone up in flames.

These are not good neighbors now, so there is no reason to think that the addition of five dormitories, a football team, or parking for 350 more cars will suddenly make them better neighbors.

I believe it is time for the town of Standish to stop making special exceptions for the college. Even though its land is valued at millions of dollars, the college pays a little over $3,000 to the town. Every time it buys another property, the town’s tax base is lessened. The college strains the town’s infrastructure without giving anything back. Standish can’t afford to subsidize the college as it is, never mind its continued growth.

I found it interesting that you spoke with Mr. Yauch on Monday, and he expressed his eagerness to “work with the town to have a fifth person and a re-vote,” and the position was filled on Tuesday. It sounds to me like the town is trying to push this project through in some kind of backroom deal. I assure you that the residents will not stand for more of these secretive political moves. We’ve had enough of those in the past.

In closing, your article quotes Mr. Yauch as saying the lower ratio of students to teachers in the classroom adds to the value of their education. He goes on to say, “Most people like the college the size it is.” Why, then, is the college trying hard to force through this huge expansion?

Sally Clark

Standish