Op-Ed

Rep. to Registrar: Don't close the Falmouth RMV branch

Editor's note: The following is a letter from Rep. Timothy Madden to Rachel Kaprielian the Registrar of the MA RMV regarding the proposed closing of the Falmouth RMV Branch.

June 30, 2009

Rachel Kaprielian, Registrar
Registry of Motor Vehicles
Office of the Registrar
Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205-55889

Re: Falmouth Registry of Motor Vehicles Branch

Dear Registrar Kaprielian,

I am writing with great concern regarding the proposed closure of the Registry of Motor Vehicles branch office in Falmouth.  Since this RMV office was opened, it has proven to be enormously valuable for the residents and visitors to Falmouth and its surrounding communities.

The closing of this branch would be particularly detrimental to the Upper Cape’s elderly population. As you may know, this area has one of the highest populations of residents aged 65 and over in the Commonwealth.  If the Falmouth branch were closed the three closest branches to the Town become the Yarmouth, Plymouth, and New Bedford registries, each nearly an hour away.  With waiting times of up to an hour at these Registry offices, this quickly turns into a half to a full day trip for many of our elderly residents, a huge inconvenience.  Furthermore, with the added influx of seasonal residents and tourists, these times can grow significantly.

I urge you to come to Falmouth as soon as possible to meet with the community and its elected officials. If the current site is being considered for closure because of costs, I would be happy to work with you and the town's leaders in finding an alternate site in Falmouth, cost-effective to the Commonwealth, to avoid losing this extremely important resource for the community and the Upper Cape region. 

Sincerely,

Timothy R. Madden
State Representative
Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket District