DEP QUESTIONS CON COM

If you saw my prior post you may recall that I was appalled by the decisions and order of conditions made by the Conservation Commission relative to the proposed development on Wyman St.  That decision totally ignored recommendations of the DEP and the commission’s own administrator, who is Woburn’s expert in these matters.

 The lone voice to do the proper thing was Commissioner Lohnes who made a motion to delay approval of the plan until issues were resolved as recommended by these experts.  As a small group of concerned citizens was preparing to appeal the decision, the state Department of Environmental Protection stepped in on its own and filed its own appeal.

 So our original concern with the Commission’s decision was not misplaced and now appears to have had merit.  Over the past several months abutters and area neighbors have submitted written, verbal, and photographic evidence to support their concerns about ever increasing basement flooding.  Yet, as this appeal by the DEP indicates, the commission has not given this documentation just consideration.  That such a decision was made by this board despite the recommendations of the experts is bewildering to me, and so it appears does it also bewilder the DEP.

I hope this proves to be a teachable moment for all city boards and agencies that legitimate, and documented concerns of its citizens need to be given just and appropriate consideration.

 Vince Grillo