JoePublius

The proposed artificial turf athletic complex for Newton South High School has been in the works for more than 3 years now. The original plan for this development project was proposed to the Newton School Committee in the summer of 2005. The Committee blessed the project on the condition that the funding for it did not come from the City’s budget for the public school system. In the autumn of 2005, a group of interested residents sought to fund the project with monies from the Community Preservation Fund, as a project that would create recreational opportunities and preserve open space. On June 21, 2006, the Community Preservation Committee voted 7-2 to approve such funding. However, following a protracted debate about the lawfulness of the funding under the Community Preservation Act, the City scrapped the proposed funding mechanism and sought alternative monies for the project.

Every aspect of the proposal – financial, geo-technical, impact on abutting private properties and even the nature of artificial turf – has been debated in the councils of government and in the press.  

The least understood and, therefore, least discussed aspect of the proposed development project sadly concerns the most vulnerable part of the ecosystem that the proposed development activities will impact. This is an area that is designated on Newton maps as WR # 16.. It is protected wetlands. Surely, many should care about this vestige of the Great Meadow Brook wetlands, but very few among us really know much about it . This is truly a forgotten marsh – perhaps conveniently.

This multimedia presentation is aimed at educating the public about the potential adverse consequences of the proposed project, especially its artificial turf component, on WR #16. In addition to a Power Point Presentation, this package contains a video clip of WR #16 area (shot in December 2008). Included in this package are also three shorter video clips, each showing Doug Dickson, a member of the 2006 Community Preservation Committee, discussing the ecology of the area at the June 21, 2006, meeting of the Community Preservation Committee. In another clip, the Committee member Joyce Moss put her finger on what really is needed in the area in order to remedy the condition of the existing natural grass playing fields.

This presentation is an abbreviated version of one available on CD. If you would like a copy of the CD please e-mail me at Guive@aol.com or call (617) 964-5252.   

To get started, click on the links below – please be patient, as it may take a few moments for the segment to upload.

The Main Event: