Vol. 2, No. 8
July 22, 2002
Contents
1) LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON LINCOLN PARK LAND TRANSFER
The Proposal
I've written previously about School Department plans to build a new
Lincoln Park Community School, which would include a new roadway
with parking area, bus turn-around, and parent drop-off area that
will bisect the park. Plans of the existing and proposed Lincoln
Park School are available on my website through the
May 21 newsletter.
In May, the Board of Aldermen hurriedly voted to petition the state
legislature to approve the land transfer necessary for the planned
construction. That petition must now be approved by both houses of
the legislature. The legislature must first hold a public hearing on
the matter, at which interested citizens may speak for approximately
three minutes each.
The Hearing - Please Come if You Can
On Tuesday, July 23, at 11:00 a.m., the Joint Committee on Local
Affairs of the Massachusetts Legislature will hold a public hearing
in Room 437 of the State House to consider a Home Rule Petition to
authorize the transfer of park land to school building use. The
Somerville Conservation Commission voted against the land transfer,
which was nonetheless approved by the state's Executive Office of
Environmental Affairs (EOEA). If the Legislature approves this Home
Rule Petition, all opportunity for a longer design and siting
process will be gone.
I will be attending this hearing, and would be pleased to carry in
written remarks from anyone who wishes to comment but cannot attend.
An e.mail sent Monday would be ideal.
2) UNION SQUARE STREET TREES IN DANGER
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has petitioned
the City of Somerville for permission to remove seventeen public
shade trees in Union Square. The purpose of the removal is for the
installation of water mains for its Spot Pond Supply project. As is
required by state law, the City of Somerville's Department of Public
Works will hold a public hearing on this petition in the second
floor conference room of its building on Franey Road, at 10:00 a.m.
on Wednesday, August 7, 2002.
I plan to attend this hearing too, and encourage others to do so if
they can, or to provide me with their written comments. Obviously
the most desirable outcome is to require that the MWRA redesign
their project to preserve existing public shade trees, which are in
short supply in Union Square. Failing that, the MWRA should, as a
condition of any removal, be required to replace any trees removed
with trees of equal value and maturity, in or close to existing
sites, or other sites designated by the city.
Somerville will suffer enough from the short term disruption caused
by this project. We could be shortchanged significantly on trees if
we are not vigilant. I frankly doubt that the Department of Public
Works will require much from the MWRA in the absence of a public
outcry.
copyright 2002 Denise Provost
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