To the Editor:

“The wheels on the bus go round and round.” And the cars in the lot will go round and round, all around the Stewart’s, because that’s what will be happening if the village board votes to allow Stewart's to tear down a 1900s historic gateway house to the Severson neighborhood and erect an expanded store amid a sea of asphalt.

According to the plans submitted to the board, that irreversible change to the unique charm and character of the village will yield only one or possibly two additional parking spots.

One of the main reasons people move to Altamont is the charm, the architectural heritage, and the sense of capturing the essence of a more genteel era — a bit of an oasis in rather trying times. The village is walkable, as in times past.

One or two more parking spots at a newly expanded Stewart’s franchise would not make that area more walkable or the traffic calmer. If a new store were to open, the area of the old Stewart’s store would be filled by moving traffic. This expanded Stewart’s might be less safe for walking.

Plans are on display at Village Hall for anyone’s perusal.

It’s right there in black and white.

Betty Head

Altamont