To the Editor:

Monday night I went to the Altamont Planning Board meeting regarding the cell tower. Speaking with several people who were there, plus other residents with whom I’ve discussed the subject over the past several months, I found a recurring theme.

People just weren’t aware of the situation in time to become informed and voice an opinion.

That's why I’m enthused by Simon Litten and James Sullivan’s creation of an opt-in Outreach Mailchimp email program. That’s the type of creative problem-solving that’s needed.

Instead of making residents go to the village website and search for recurring items such as agendas and minutes and other information, the items will be delivered right to a resident’s in box. It’s creative problem-solving.

I understand that the village’s installed system is cumbersome and so, when people sign up, they don’t receive the promised emails. The simple work-around that Simon and James have started is to use Mailchimp, outside of the village system.

The other aspect of this, outside of the emailing structure, is the timely delivery of the content. Both Simon and James have committed to making sure that issues like the cell tower or Stewart’s will be communicated early enough for people to become aware of it and have time to become informed.

No matter what side of an issue you’re on, Outreach communication is vital.

Harvey Vlahos

Altamont