I couldn't agree more! Thank you for this thoughtful commentary.
Partly Cloudy , with a high of 35 and low of 20 degrees. Partly Cloudy for the morning, overcast during the afternoon, partly cloudy in the evening, clear overnight.
Replies
Response to Nancy Dempze’s Critique of Kelly Fredrickson’s Post and Lack of Response to Attorney Fenn’s Legal Analysis; Comment on The Land Trust’s Video
Town Meeting Article 33 in 2001 Limited the Use of Clapboardtree Meadow
Replies
Sorry, David, I'm no buying it. Your latest screed is yet one more attempt to confuse the issue, under the guise of a spurious legal opinion.
Agriculture is conservation. That’s why it’s in the Conservation Restriction.
Massachusetts Farm Bureau - Working Lands: A Conservation Approach Used by Land Trusts
What gives the Westwood Conservation Commission the Authority to Vote on and Attempt to Override the Land Trust’s Decision Regarding the Meadow on Clapboardtree Street?
Is the WLT acting to Protect the Meadow or Simply to Fulfill the Donors’ Wishes? Shouldn’t the WLT Demonstrate the Same Transparency Demanded from The Select Board?
Replies
Regarding Mr. Moore’s post:
A Reminder that the Conservation Land on Clapboardtree Street belongs to all Town Residents, not Just the Three Members of the Select Board
Response to Attorney Berman
Replies
Mr Fenn I believe it’s Section 9, not Section 8. But well said.
Clapboardtree Meadow
Replies
In the purpose statement of the CR it states:
Response to Ishani Tewari and the Speculators about a “Quid Pro Quo” Between Chair Gotti and the Bean Family
Replies
Mr. Moore,
I beg to differ as to some of the asserted facts within your latest post:
Correction: The Westwood Select Board members in 2000, when the Town formally accepted and acknowledged the Conservation Restriction on 665 Clapboardtree Street including the meadow, were Anthony Antonellis, Michael Walsh and Patrick Ahearn.
Thank you for correcting the use of Mr Moore's term "unanimous", however, his point stands.
In Response to "A Path Forward for Conservation and Farming in Westwood"
Replies
Thank you for this very helpful explanation. I think it’s also important to keep in mind that the Bean Farm has stated that their intention would be to use the land “for generations”, so they have no actual intention of returning the land to a meadow state.
Thank you for this explanation. It is very surprising and disappointing that the Select Board did not do their own due diligence into the ecological consequences of farming as they were contemplating this lawsuit and asserting that it is in the "public interest"!
Replies
Who are the people associated with these initials? I’m not sure why an anonymous post would be published here. It’s important to know who is expressing these opinions.
Why do you want to know? Why is it important? Do you have something to say against their ideas?
Thank you, Mr. Christensen, for your helpful response to Ms. Galkowski. For additional clarity, we felt uncomfortable putting our full names after witnessing some baseless, negative accusations and remarks made from the WLT supporters toward the Bean Farm supporters.
Clapboardtree meadow
Replies
I am curious about a few claims that you state here. Does denying the use of this particular land by the Bean Farm necessarily mean that the farm will cease to exist? If the farm closes or moves, does that necessarily mean that the Beans’ land will be fully developed?
Ms.Sullivan, I think your criticism of Peter Fenn's post is a little unfair.
Mr. Moore, I think it’s very inappropriate that you are projecting “criticism” and me being “upset” onto my comment, as someone who has felt more than welcome to voice your own opinions on this and other posts.
Replies
I am not surprised at the speculations on cronyism and quid pro quo. The lack of transparency on an issue centered on one business + the fact that the Bean family are the largest donors to the Chair's campaign is enough to raise this question! Campaign finance records can be found here:
Intent was never in question
Replies
Your Post Misleading and contains a baseless accusation
I am not surprised at the speculations on cronyism and quid pro quo. The lack of transparency on an issue centered on one business + the fact that the Bean family are the largest donors to the Chair's campaign is enough to raise this question!
Important Historical Facts Regarding the Clapboardtree Meadow
Replies
Hi Mr White
Mr. Christensen, with respect to your comments on the cost of the town meeting. Many residents did reach out to the select board, by email and public comment at select board meetings. You can review the videos of those meetings.
Hello Mr. White - Thank you for this information.
Replies
For many years I worked for the U.S. Coast Guard. A core value there, as well as at many other U.S. military branches, was respect. I think respect is missing here.
The McFarlands have donated large parcels of land to Westwood to maintain open space. This was their intent with the land in question.
I agree wholeheartedly!
Spot on Mr. Murray. To say the least. By persuing the law suit the Select Board has opened Pandora's box when it comes to overriding the wishes and the intent, of donations made to the town. Not to mention the resignation a respected Board member and the division it has created in the town.