So many changes have occurred at Tannery Park, Washington Street, Camden, in the 15 years I have lived in Millville, from the removal of the old tannery, to the creation of a charming river path and a central site for a vibrant Farmer’s Market.

This spot is a place to get amazing Hawaiian ginger, see Morris Dancers, reconnect with old friends, meet new friends; albeit, I can only remember their dog’s names.

I have seen kingfishers, osprey and ducks in the river, and once a fox with a poor neighbor’s chicken.

As an amateur photographer, the changes in the water levels and the seasons offer opportunities to capture fallen leaves, wild mushrooms and ice formations.

Often, I witness posses of middle-schoolers circling their bikes to discuss things of great import before heading up the hill to school and workers eating their lunch from Megunticook Market on the picnic tables.

There are Frisbee dogs, ball chasing dogs, obedience training for dogs, dogs carrying their babies or sticks. Dogs really like this space and I find they are seldom wrong.

 I applaud the Town Manager for taking the effort to apply for a federal grant to mitigate or cap the contaminated soil in 2018. However, this grant had a clock on it and in nine short months this project will need to be developed, a consensus will have to be reached, and whatever work the town decides to pursue will need to be completed, or the funds will revert back to the feds due to inaction.

After attending the workshop on December 9, I am not very optimistic that this aggressive deadline will be met.

There is little cohesion on the board and they are easily distracted by bright shiny objects.

There is a saying, ‘Keep it simple….’ In order for this grant to be realized, and not forfeited, the town and Select Board should, in my humble opinion, stick to the simplest part of the original grant to clean-up contaminated surface soils at the site and facilitate redevelopment of the site into public green space and a farmer’s market.

Cindy Wheeler lives in Camden