To the editor:

The Bohmanns (“Distorted plan,” Sept. 1) believe they are good neighbors to Haskell. They also think my letter (“Poor location,” Aug. 21) contained “inaccuracies” about their plan to erect two boat storage facilities beside an Indian cemetery that has existed since 1884. It is the only site on the National Register of Historic Places that actually dates to Haskell’s earliest years.

I was present when the Bohmanns’ architect Allen Belot argued before the Historic Resources Commission that abutting these structures along the property line was the only feasible way to screen the peaceful cemetery from the noise and visual blight of the line of garage doors that would face east away from Haskell. The HRC has no authority to regulate noise or light, but he claimed placing admittedly unattractive buildings nearer was the best way to protect this resting place.

When, several years ago, the HRC approved their first unit, these developers promised to leave trees that screened it from the cemetery. The land was soon cleared, tons of fill hauled in to create this lot they plan to develop.

This land should be traded for an equivalent industrial site. The owners deserve a fair profit. Lawrence is expanding the rails to trails system as Burroughs Creek Park. It runs beside this lot, which exists because the rails curved eastward here to avoid the swampiest part of the wetlands to the south. A trail overlook beside Haskell would be an ideal solution.

Mike Caron,

Lawrence