To the Editor:

The Stewart’s and Cumberland Farms convenience stores at the corner of routes 146 and 20 are large, but they are right-sized for their location. And most of the new round of mega-Cumberland Farms that have gone up in Rotterdam, Latham, and Colonie are apropos for where they have been placed on major thoroughfares.

The current Stewart’s store in Altamont is also the right-sized store. What Stewart’s is again proposing to build — a similar proposal was denied two years ago by the Altamont Village Board — is not a right-sized store. Like the mega-Stewart’s in the town of Middleburgh, it would overpower everything in our homey, little village.

Our town is served quite well by the store as it exists. The proposed larger store is more about suppressing competition than increasing convenience.

Residents spent countless hours developing a village comprehensive plan that ensured a walkable, workable, pleasant-looking village with zones for business and residences. Let’s adhere to that plan.

Ted Neumann

Altamont