By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
7/24/08

(previous)
Parks Director Dave Perdios was present as were Park Commissioner Terry Driscoll, Selectmen Chair Kathy Fagan and Deputy Police Chiefs Paul Nolan and Charles Paris.
Driscoll said that the park commissioners voted to go forward with the project at a recent meeting and that final conservation commission recommendations could come at a July 29 meeting.
The plan originally called for first-phase construction to begin in the fall along the Central Avenue section—with a second phase in the spring—but Driscoll said construction would take place all at once before the funding runs out. The $50,000 state grant must be expended by June.
Some residents at the meeting called for town officials to reexamine the project, saying that abutters had not properly been informed and many questions remain unanswered.
“Some of us feel the communication has been very poor from the town and media,” said former Planning Board member Mike Zimmer.
Others said they had only learned about the project six months ago.
Driscoll responded that park officials began discussing the project nearly five years ago and that meetings were posted in newspapers and on the town’s website.
“We were surprised by the low turnout at earlier meetings,” he added.
Some abutters complained about youth disturbances at the pond. Most of the Central Avenue properties that run along the pond are not fenced in and neighbors contend that youth often meet there at night. One resident said he often sees young people walking through his backyard at night and has to pick up empty beer bottles.
Nolan said that a more accessible path would mean a safer area for the public.
“If the path went through, you would start to see increased police presence (on bike patrol),” he said. “You will have more legitimate use from families if you open it up.”
Paris agreed, saying that improvements would mean more eyes on the pond and would likely deter youths from trespassing at night.
“We’ve also had some issues getting in there for medical calls,” added Nolan. He said that an improved path would allow police motorcycles and golf carts to get around the pond.
Others neighbors expressed worry over a potential property value loss caused by the new path. Central Avenue resident John Byrne—whose home sits right next to the pond’s north-side entrance—called the project a “huge financial burden on the homeowner.”
Said Brook Road resident Derek Davis: “If luck is on our side, our property values will increase (with the new path in place). But you have to respect that right of the homeowner for quiet and enjoyment. I don’t feel the town has done that in a real intellectual and academic way. I don’t hear, on your side, a clear compromise that would involve putting pen to paper and meeting some of the concerns of these abutters.”
Seeking such a compromise, Davis and others suggested using the entire $50,000 to enhance and maintain the stretch of path—often waterlogged—that children use to commute to Glover School.
“It’s important to note we’re not looking to stop the project entirely,” said Zimmer. “But when (park officials) seem so intent to plow forward with this, it’s what I think puts us on a defensive posture.”
Driscoll said that park commissioners are ready to move forward and police say they will look at ways to work with residents who remain concerned about public safety around Turners Pond.