Opinion: Vote Yes To Preserve Sudbury's Sewataro

The following was submitted as a letter to the editor. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, email samantha.mercado@patch.com.

When the residents of Sudbury went off to fight for our freedom on the morning of April 19, 1775, they probably were unaware of the true weight of the effect that their actions would have on our country and on the world that day. Uncertain of the outcome, they faced fear and sacrifice for the protection and care of their neighbors to the north. This principle of selflessness was likely the only thing propelling them forward to Concord on that fateful morning of 1775.

As a town we are no strangers to doing the right thing no matter how fearful we may be. We stopped an auto magnate early in the century from constructing a factory in the middle of our town, despite his wealth and power. In the 1960’s we prevented a utility company from constructing an industrial corridor through our prized river valley. Over the years we have preserved wetlands, hills and forest, ancient Indian grounds and historic homes when it didn’t seem convenient or economical to do so. We have continued to fight to preserve the health, beauty and cultural richness of our town, growing in value and in number because of it.
I grew up in Sudbury. I believe in what we can accomplish.

As I toured Sewataro at their open house on Saturday, I realized that I was experiencing a masterpiece of nature. My guide, a counselor from the camp, enthusiastically told me they were already booked for the summer. We passed by staff homes and swimming pools; a ceramics shop, a pond thriving with bass, another pond for swimming. My mind raced through the possibilities: music festival, fly fishing lessons, fireworks. I noticed the children laughing and playing all over the grounds. It was then that I finally got it -- This place was heaven on earth. This place was priceless.

The upcoming vote on June 4 may be about property acquisition but it is also about stemming global warming. It is about preservation of habitat. It is about showing other towns what’s possible. It’s about providing our kids and elderly residents a healthy place to experience life fully.
I believe we should purchase Camp Sewataro. It might just be one of the most selfless and important actions we could ever imagine taking.

-Nicholas Pernice