Cambridge Highlands Neighborhood Association

Governor Vetoes Silver Maple Forest Acquisition

Dear Friends,

I'm very disappointed to report that Governor Patrick chose to veto the language that we worked to place in the Environmental Bond Bill regarding the Silver Maple Forest acquisition.

He apparently embraced the perspective of his housing administrators. The housing administrators opposed the acquisition because they saw it as an effort to block affordable housing development.

The decision does not reflect the perspective of the many people who communicated with me about the issue in the neighborhoods of Cambridge, Arlington and Belmont.  Most were not opposed to affordable housing in their communities.  Most felt that the forest is a valuable regional asset that should be preserved for future generations.
Unfortunately, there is little chance that the legislature will take up veto overrides for any of the bond bills in this session, so the Governor's decision is likely to be final.

In any event, even if the the legislature reinstated the language -- in this session or next year -- it would not force the Governor's hand.  The language set up a collaborative process in which the Governor retained full discretion.  The veto sends a clear message about where that process would go.

I'll hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 9 at 7PM in Belmont Town Hall, Conference Room 1, to discuss next steps.  But, it appears that our strategy to save the forest through a state park acquisition may have failed.

Although I had always viewed it as a long shot, as we successfully overcame opposition in the legislative process, I had started to gain some hope.  So, I'm very disappointed to be bringing this news.
Will Brownsberger
State Representative, (617) 771-8274 (cell)
Visit www.willbrownsberger.com for news.

Legislative Progress on the Silver Maple Forest Acquisition

Dear Friends,

I'm pleased to report some progress on the Silver Maple Forest issue.

Last Wednesday night, the House passed the Environmental Bond Bill as House 5005.

The bill includes an express authorization of the expenditure of up to $6 million towards the acquisition of the Silver Maple Forest.  This authorization does not compel the Department of Conservation and Recreation to make the expenditure, but it expresses legislative support for it.

Of course, $6 million is not sufficient to purchase the property.  The bond bill, as passed by the House, includes an outside section which would also allow for local contributions towards the acquisition.  The outside section incorporates much of the language of House Bill 21, the bill that I filed last year with Senator Tolman as a co-sponsor.

Under the language that the House approved, the Commissioner of DCR will have 90 days to conduct an appraisal of the property and then an additional 30 days to decide how much he feels that the state should contribute towards an acquisition.  He could decide any amount between $0 and $6 million.

The communities of Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge will then have another 120 days to determine how much they are willing to contribute (including possible private donations).  If the state and local contributions add up to the fair market value of the property, then the state would move forward to make the acquisition.

The house-approved language does not allow for an eminent domain taking.  The owner of the property would have to agree to the acquisition.

So, in summary, the bill authorizes up to $6 million in state funds for an acquisition and creates a timeline for DCR, the localities and the owner to decide whether an acquisition should occur.  It preserves the freedom of all parties, forcing only that a decision be made, but not what that decision should be.

I am very grateful to the leadership of the House for supporting this important local legislation.

It is important to note that the Senate has yet to take action on the bill and, of course, that even if the Senate also approves the language, the Governor will then need to decide whether or not to approve the language.

I will keep you posted as to the next steps.  Things should move quickly over the next week.

Best regards,

Will Brownsberger
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Will Brownsberger
State Representative, (617) 771-8274 (cell)
Visit www.willbrownsberger.com for news.

Save the Silver Maple Forest

Just got the following from Elizabeth Grady

Postcards will be delivered in the Cambridge Highlands neighborhood beginning , September 13, asking people to sign and send them to the governor to support the conservation effort for the Silver Maple forest,which abuts our neigborhood just beyone the B&M train tracks.

The Website for the effort to attach the forest to the Alewife Reservation is http://www.savethesilvermapleforest.org

People can support the process there electronically as well.

If this construction project goes forward, the impact on the Highlands neighborhood will be 600 MORE cars a day on Blanchard Road, more congestion in the neighborhood as drivers seek alternative roads to Blanchard/ Brighton St., and more risk of flooding in basements as the water table will be affected.

The Silver Maple Forest can be accessed for walking from the access road to Discovery Park/ Arthur D, Little off Rte 2 at Pleasant St. exit East. It is an extraordinary place and well worth a visit.