16 Piedmont Street
Boston, MA 02116
July 25, 2002
By Facsimile
Senator Robert Havern
Massachusetts State House
Joint Transportation Committee
Re: Establishing the Mass. Millenium Greenway Trust
Dear Senator Havern:
As a resident of the Bay Village neighborhood in Boston since 1962, with full knowledge, expectation, and anticipation for the resurfacing of the Central Artery, I believe the Greenway Trust legislation now before your committee is seriously flawed and should not be passed at this time.
I believe this small but precious 6 acres of Boston land deserves more public review than it has received so far and should not be hurriedly passed at this time. Boston needs this precious space to live up to the promises made for the area and to be truly a gift to the people of Boston who have waited so long for the benefits of the Big Dig to be realized. It should not be tied up in a bureaucratic nightmare as this bill suggests. Please deny its passage so that it can be done right.
Thank you for considering my sincere concern.
Sincerely,
June McCourt
Subject: Please table the Greenway Trust legislation for now
Dear Senators:
We have deep concerns that the Greenway Trust legislation has not been subject to sufficient public review. The Artery land will become available for new uses as a result of billions of dollars of taxpayers' money. For that reason alone, we must make sure that that this crucial legislation protects public interest, and that it has wide public support. More time is needed to accomplish that. Please do not pass the Greenway Trust legislation in the session that ends on July 31. The middle of summer, when many stakeholders in this matter are unable to participate in the public process, is the wrong time to do it.
Yours truly,
Eva M. Webster
on behalf of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir Coalition
and Aberdeen-Brighton Residents Association
15 Orkney Road, Brighton, MA 02135
617-232-0995
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2002
Subject: Don't rush the Greenway Trust legislation
Dear Senator Havern and Representative Sullivan,
As residents who live and work in Boston, we are asking that you respect the people and taxpayers of this state and put the brakes on the Greenway Trust legislation that is being rushed through without the chance for adequate public review. The special interests in this state -- read, construction companies, engineering companies, and folks with "connections" have already benefited beyond compare from the Big Dig cost overruns. Don't add insult to injury and enable developers to eat away at what belongs to the public -- our long-awaited green space. We are paying close attention to this outcome and we respectfully request your help with this vital issue.
Guy Messier and Mary Owens
43 Concord Square
Boston, MA 02118