Thank You
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank members of the community who have come out to meetings for the past few months to voice their opinion about the future of the Center Business District. I’d also like to thank the Planning Board for hosting what I believe was the most productive meeting regarding development that the town has had during my tenure this past Monday. The thoughtful questions from members of the planning board will improve the final outcome of the project.
It is clear that our neighborhood is in need of changes and there is no more glaring example of this than the old Family Dollar building on Somerset Ave. On one side of Somerset Ave. we see success story after success story from La Petite boutique down to inc.ubate co-working space. Yet on the other side of the street a world of difference. Progress in the CBD has stalled due to the building’s dilapidated state and in some instances the town’s lack of direction. It’s dormant state is a detriment to every business down there with the building detracting from the overall appeal of the Center.
Winthrop’s Center has battled with vacant storefronts for as long as I can remember. While the amount of vacancies has certainly decreased over the past few years, many businesses are perpetually a bad few months away from closing their doors. This is why we must do what we can to vitalize the Center now during good times to prepare for the bad.
The plans proposed for the currently dilapidated site on Somerset Ave. are a huge improvement that will add much-needed vitality to the CBD, bring people to the Center who will become our neighbors, add to our way of life and support our community. Our seniors need a place to go once they age out of the homes they raised their families in. People my age who want to live in the community they grew up in should have that option available to them. In a small way this project helps us achieve this.
Many people were upset about the original design for the building and I shared the community’s concerns about the building as proposed. The changes made to the proposal addressed the community’s concerns head on. Further, the development team met with some of their toughest critics and addressed their concerns as best they could. The fact that the project is proposed to be built using modular techniques will reduce impacts to the neighborhood during construction. The project will allow the town to widen the street along Somerset Ave. to address congestion concerns raised by neighbors. The look and feel of the building has been completely revamped to better illustrate our wishes. These changes represent a sincere attempt to better our community by taking our wishes into account.
Much of the criticism in regards to this development has been aimed at the lack of clear zoning boundaries which the town is in the process of addressing. Zoning boundaries determine the procedure that the project needs to go through in order to get final approval. What these zoning boundaries do not do is flatly prohibit the project from being built. The town, is committed to identifying these zoning boundaries to ensure the proper procedure is followed. While we need to ensure that the proper procedures are followed, this should not act as a means to an end for any progress in the Town.
The public response to the project has been relatively positive, with some people suggesting a change here or there. These changes should be considered and implemented where possible. While we want the project to reflect the will of the community, I don’t want perfection to drag down progress. The proposed development is a sound one in line with our community’s goals. The Town and the Developer should address the concerns of the neighbors and the Planning Board, however we would be wrong to flatly deny this project as it incorporates so much of what our community has sought over the past 10 years that the building has been vacant.
Since I’ve taken office, I’ve heard much feedback about what should be done to this site. No project can be everything to everybody. This proposal certainly isn’t. But it is a positive step in the right direction for our Center that is rapidly changing and I urge its support from the ultimate decision making boards.
On a personal note, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the life of Robert Driscoll Sr. whom I had the absolute pleasure to know almost my entire life. His dedication to the Town through his involvement on various boards and committees flowed through to his children and grandchildren. If Town Councilors had advisors, his grandson Bobby would be my closest one. I enjoyed playing whifleball in his yard growing up and talking to him about current events as we got older. My heart goes out to his entire family.
Sincerely,
Peter Christopher
Agrees with Editorial on Climate Change
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your timely editorial (“Another Side of Climate Changeâ€) pointing out the rapidly advancing effects of climate change across the nation.
Gov. Baker and our Legislature have taken a moderate, incremental approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Usually, this style is a good political strategy, and often a useful one in attempting change. But nature plays by different rules. We now need a bold drive towards greenhouse gas reduction, not just a slow down-ratcheting. It may be expensive, but not as expensive as climate change.
Massachusetts is well situated to lead the nation on this issue, with our strong economy, our technology resources, and our relatively enlightened population. Now we just need leaders who will make it happen.
Susan Donaldson, MD