Falmouth must unite to preserve its identity

A few years back, one of my neighbors observed that Falmouth is becoming a city. She said, "Towns have farms; cities have parks." She was referring to the 110-year-old Coonamessett cranberry bogs and the effort to close them in favor of a park, but the observation is a broad one that applies to more than cranberries. The "Save Our Bogs" signs which heralded that fight have since been replaced by "Save Little Pond" signs, and now "Save Webster Woods."

Truth be told, there are those in town who think Woods Hole is getting its due. After watching parcel after parcel in other parts of town used for affordable housing, the concern over a few acres in Webster Woods is falling on deaf ears.

That's a problem. Years ago, Falmouth supported Woods Hole in its fight against McDonald's. Even though permits were issued, Falmouth was so united in its opposition that McDonald's never opened there. It was a victory against urbanization - not just for Woods Hole, but for Falmouth as a whole.

Falmouth fractured in the years since, most notably over the bog issue. Instead of uniting people to improve the Coonamessett River, a concerted effort was made to eliminate the town-owned bogs altogether. That only served to deepen the divisions.

Now there's a plan to develop part of Webster Woods. Some say Woods Hole is getting what it deserves. Others have called the housing plan good enough. But why abandon our neighbors? Why settle for good enough? Why can't we do better?

The cries to Save Our Bogs, Save Little Pond and Save Webster Woods are about preserving what makes Falmouth, Falmouth; they're about keeping our town from becoming a city. Unfortunately, not since the fight over McDonald's in Woods Hole has Falmouth been united in its desire to halt urbanization. That must change. If we would stop treating the Coonamessett bogs as an East Falmouth thing, or Webster Woods as a Woods Hole thing, or Little Pond as a Teaticket thing, we would realize that by standing with our neighbors and helping them protect the things they hold dear, we all win.

(This editorial was featured in the Thursday, September 27, 2007 edition of the Falmouth Bulletin)