The Otisfield Board of Selectmen has decided on giving away “Otisfield Citizen Use Only” status of Sam’s Landing located on Saturday Pond to the state of Maine. This would allow public use for all Maine’s inhabitants. Future plans also include that a large boat ramp be established that will forever change the original intentions and focus of use on that small 100- by100-foot site. Saturday Pond would become even more susceptible to invasive plant contamination.

In 1946, Sam and Helen Jaakkola generously gave the Otisfield townspeople a place to bathe and picnic. Their thoughtful gift was specifically given to Otisfield citizens. That agreement is about to be broken. The new changes were not Sam and Helen’s wishes, and will definitely limit our own citizens’ opportunity to use this small recreational area with very limited parking.

So far, selectmen have refused to hold a special meeting to explain to townspeople what has happened at Sam’s Landing, and their future plans. Instead, they are moving swiftly ahead.

Shouldn’t Otisfield citizens be at least given the opportunity to be informed and ask questions before final actions are initiated?

The “Otisfield Citizen Use Only” of Sam’s Landing is about to vanish forever.

Albert Sirois, Otisfield