A group of neighbors in the Millville area of Camden and additional town residents have joined to dispute the potential sale of the tannery property to North East Mobile Health ambulance service. The neighbors learned about the sale from Village Soup's website, and were surprised by the sudden announcement. Given the proximity of houses and families to the site, as well as the busy nearby intersections and roads, the sale raises issues of safety. There are also worries about local property and house devaluation. For these reasons and the ones outlined below, the group believes that the company is an inappropriate match for the site.

The select board has been given the power to sell the property with specific guidelines they must adhere to, which state that "Unacceptable Business/Industries" for this site include:

• "Any business that has a significant loud outside noise component"
• "Any business that imposes a hazardous or dangerous environment on the neighborhood"

Ambulances make loud noises, with both their sirens and their back-up beepers, and they must speed to their destinations, violating both of the stated criteria for the site.

Additionally, the company's preliminary map shows two entryways for ambulances and other transportation vehicles that are approximately 100 feet from the front door of a house on Rawson Avenue and Washington Street. It will be in close proximity to other residences as well. There is also a middle school in the area, a senior living home, the Community School, a busy market and many homes on all side streets.

We recognize the importance of the ambulance service, the jobs it provides and the hard work of North East's employees, but we ask that the town reconsider locating the company at the former tannery site.

Eleanor Masin-Peters
Camden