To the Editor:

A public hearing for the Mattapoisett Bike Path with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Old Hammondtown School. This is an important and a long awaited milestone for the project.

Please join others in a strong show of community support at this state level meeting. In the public process for bike path planning anything can happen. Vocal, visible, popular support is critical for keeping the project on track at the state level. Friends of the Bike Path urge summer and year round residents to attend and voice their support.

If you can't go to the hearing, individual letters or emails stating the reasons for your support are another way to be heard. We will soon have addressed postcards available for your use at local bike friendly businesses. If you use the bike path regularly as part of your exercise program, to commute to work, to shop, to get places without using a car, your testimony will be very valuable. If you believe the bike path will benefit your business, your employees and our local economy, please to write a letter of support.

We will publish the address where to send these letters of support as soon as we know it. An informational meeting and letter-writing rally will occur at the Mattapoisett Library Wednesday Sept. 10, 7 p.m.

For up to the minute notifications, please "Like" us on Facebook at "Friends of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail" or go to www.mattapoisettrailtrail.org.

Bonne DeSousa
President,
Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path