While I respect your position of supporting the effort to use the meadow, your statement that “WLT is responsible for “monitoring” the property, not deciding what articles to enforce and what exceptions to approve.
The LT also has the authority to deny the approval. They may not unreasonably withhold approval but they also may not, per the CR, grant any approvals that would impair other conservations purposes like preserving the meadow.
We actually went and took a look at this “meadow” when we got our Christmas tree this year. We’re arguing about a couple acres of dirt that directly abuts Bean Farm and has zero external access, except to go through Bean Farm.
Thank you for your great letter. The Select Board just posted a letter of their own. The letter rounds up by stating that their public comment is limited because of the pending lawsuit. The Select Board should have had public discussion first. Now they hide under the vail of a pending lawsuit.
This letter writer has really hit the nail on the head and expressed concerns and frustrations that many residents in town agree with. I also have asked the Selectboard why this litigation is being pursued but am met with no response whatsoever.
This is so well put. It is interesting that the farm has been trying to get access to the meadow since before the current commercial farming operation really restarted. If that’s the case, the issue isn’t about the farm’s current financial situation.
Hi, This article says it all! The secrecy surrounding this issue is extremely disturbing! Is the Select Board using the fact that they have filed a lawsuit as their rationale for not responding publicly? If so, the issue should have been discussed publicly before the lawsuit was filed. The Bean Farm has been
Town of Westwood residents: In order to set the record straight--
Mr. Cronin,
I was awarded a town recognition for my service as a Westwood Library Trustee by Patrick Ahearn on behalf of the Select Board at Town Meeting. I apologize if I mislabeled it and I would advise you to talk to him for corroboration.
Thank you for writing this, Eric! I agree with you completely.
Great history Cro. Thank you!!
I wholeheartedly agree that CRs are serious documents that should be upheld and respected, much like the laws and ethical guidelines that dictate how a municipality can and cannot use public resources and finances on behalf of a private entity.
Hi Ellen, As someone that i respect and recognize as a respectful debater of issues, how do you feel about WLT banning me from their FB page? You read the content, I was respectful, but disagreed.
If a mistake was made with taxes it should be corrected through the proper legal means. I imagine there is some statute of limitations within which one must identify, document and ask for redress of a tax error. Otherwise this alleged debt remains unplayable and will only grow over time.
Hi Christina, we learned of the error in early 2024 and reached out to the town who tried to rectify the problem, but it was beyond the statute of limitations and unfortunately nothing could be done.
Hello Karen,
I sent the trust the note below, but wanted to post it here for anyone in town that may want to understand how the organization responds to those that have a differing view. *One small edit because I didn’t like my original choice of words.
Hello,
I'd hardly call filing a lawsuit "debating" an issue.
Very well stated Karen! Thank you.
I could not agree more! Thank you for posting this information. Seems to me the Select Board is way out on a limb here!
How is it possible that a town could sue the Land Trust on behalf of a private company?? Shouldn't the Bean Farm be paying these costs?
Agree 100%. The Select Board members are on the wrong side of this issue and are risking conservation land everywhere for the benefit of one privately owned business. Big mistake.
This whole situation is backwards. The norm would be
that the Select Board supports the Westwood Land Trust
decision and the Bean Farm files a challenge in court.
Then the Select Board responds with an answer that
supports the Westwood Land Trust.
I am curious to understand what the “no” vote camp’s target budget would be for the project, as well as how that would be offset by the costs of starting the study and design over. I understand that folks are concerned about the cost, but what cost would you deem acceptable?
The vote “no” people illegally placed flyers in mail boxes around town. I wouldn’t side with those who violate federal law so easily. That said, the vote no succeeded and we will now learn how much that will cost. More? Less? Timer will tell. Who benefits from the no outcome?
Thank you for compiling this data. It's very helpful.
Would you have the # of bays for each new station? Thanks.
27° and Patchy snow nearby
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Can you please confirm that only Westwood residents may sign your petition? That seems important to its stated purpose.
Hi Erin, Change.org does not allow me to restrict anyone from signing the petition. If this were a vote or something similar to your petition calling for Westwood Government to take some action we would need to weed out the signers that are not from Westwood. At points as the word spread they came in fast and furi
Also, respectfully, some issues with your letter: