Preserving the largest contiguous forest for Newton in perpetuity is essential. We must protect this diverse eco-system and the habitat it provides for birds, mammals, amphibians and insects. We must ensure our residents have access to the woods, rocky ledges and the vernal pool on these 17+ acres and can connect to the 88+ acres of forest to either side cared for by the City of Newton and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
I have been ably assisted in this action by the members of the Webster Woods Advisory Panel, led by Beth Wilkinson of the Newton Conservators, and with a lot of help from City Councilor Lisle Baker, Webster Woods neighbor and environmentalist Ken Kimmell who is Co-Chair of the Friends of Webster Woods, and Community Preservation Committee Vice Chair Dan Brody. Thanks also go to Solicitor Ouida Young and Chief Environmental Planner Jennifer Steel.
“Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s decision to acquire Webster Woods will save a natural treasure. I am most grateful for the sustained work of the Executive Committee and the full Webster Woods Advisory Panel in laying the groundwork for the preservation of the woods,” Beth Wilkinson said.
While I remain open to achieving a mutually acceptable agreement with B.C., I have decided to initiate a process of acquiring the property’s 17+ acres of pristine woods through the City’s power of eminent domain. In the coming weeks and months, I will work with the Community Preservation Committee, the Conservation Commission, and the City Council to provide the necessary authority and funding to acquire the woods.
I have looked carefully at the cost to acquire Webster Woods and will be approaching the Community Preservation Committee for the funding as part of their open space funding reserve. Community Preservation Act funds come from our taxes and can be used only for land preservation, outdoor recreation facilities, historic preservation or affordable housing.
I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to share with me your deep concern that these woods be preserved for future generations. I ask for your continued support in the coming months as we look to secure the necessary funding.
We expect to formally move forward with a request to the Community Preservation Committee in the coming weeks. We will provide a lot more information and have plenty of opportunities for questions and comments. Details on the cost will also be forthcoming.
Information on Webster Woods can be found here.
Revised Plan for Riverside
A revised plan for a residential, commercial and retail development at Riverside Station off Grove Street in Newton Lower Falls/Auburndale is now before the City Council. The new plan reduces the height of several buildings, most notably the hotel which went from a proposed 18 stories to 6. It cuts 40 hotel rooms (154 rooms are now proposed), trims residential units by 151 to a total of 524, and reduces office space by 39,412 square feet.
The revisions came after meetings over the past several months between Mark Development, City Councilors and neighbors.
The smaller scale responds to neighbors’ concerns about density and height and also means a reduction in community benefits. The number of affordable housing units was reduced commensurate with the number of total units; the proposal now sets aside a total of 92 affordable units, a reduction of 26. In addition, initial plans included $6 million to improve the walking paths and to create a recreation area along the Charles River; this plan reduces it to $2 million.
Want to be involved? Come to the next City Council Committee meeting on Monday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers (1000 Commonwealth Ave.).
More information on Riverside is here.
Joining the Watertown Transportation Management Association
Newton has just become part of the Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA), a public/private non-profit that works across City/Town lines to address transportation issues. Members include property owners, businesses and employers as well as the City of Newton and the Town of Watertown.
By joining the Watertown TMA, we can help residents and employees access vanpools and carpools, guaranteed rides home for commuters who leave their cars at home, and pre-tax public transit benefits.
Providing “emergency” rides for employees who ride a bike to work but need to quickly pick-up a sick child at school is another option being explored.
We are looking forward to working with the Watertown TMA and community partners to find ways to ease traffic, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. We’ll provide more information on the program as new details emerge.
