HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Patalano in OppositionFor those of you who do not know me, my name is Steven Patalano, MD. I
have been part of the Hyannis community for more than 50 years, and
during that time I have witnessed many changes — some positive and
some deeply concerning.
Positive Changes in Hyannis
●Expansion of the walkway to the sea
●Addition of the artist shacks at the docks
●Improvements that strengthen tourism and improve quality of life for
residents
These changes have helped make Hyannis a more vibrant and welcoming
community.
Growing Concerns in Our Community
Unfortunately, we have also experienced serious negative changes,
including:
●The fallout from the opioid epidemic
●Increased homelessness
●Illegal drug activity
●Rising crime and public safety concerns
These issues threaten both the wellbeing of residents and the economic
vitality of Hyannis, especially our tourism-based downtown.
Concerns About the Proposed Shelter Location
I want to be clear:
●I am not opposed to helping the homeless.
●I recognize the need for shelters and safe places for people to sleep.
●The issue is the proposed location and scale of this project.
Most shelters require residents to leave during the daytime hours. As a
result:
●Large numbers of homeless individuals will spend the day in
surrounding public areas
●Main Street and the Town Common will likely see increased loitering
and public disorder
●This is already occurring on a smaller scale today
Placing a large shelter within walking distance of Main Street will
significantly intensify these problems.
Potential Impact on Hyannis
If this shelter is approved at the proposed location:
●Residents and tourists may avoid Main Street
●Businesses could suffer declining traffic and revenue
●Visitors may choose other nearby communities instead
●The long-term economic health of downtown Hyannis could be
damaged
Additional Concerns Raised by Residents
Other residents will likely discuss:
●The proximity of the shelter to schools
●The excessive size of the proposed facility
●Concerns that such a large shelter may attract additional homeless
populations into Hyannis
These are legitimate concerns that also deserve serious consideration.
Final Thoughts
The common theme among residents is not opposition to shelters
themselves.
We all recognize the need to provide humane and safe accommodations
for those in need.
However:
●The Zoning Board has a responsibility to protect the overall wellbeing
of the community
●Shelters should only be placed where they create the least negative
impact
●The proposed location adjacent to Main Street fails that standard
In my opinion, approving this shelter at the proposed location would cause
long-term and potentially irreparable harm to our community.
For those reasons, I strongly urge the Board to reject this proposal at its
current location.
Steven Patalano, MD
Hyannis, MA