Community Preservation
LWVN supports the acquisition of Webster Woods
November 12, 2019
Alice Ingerson
Community Preservation Committee Program Manager
Newton City Hall
Dear Alice:
Volunteer readers from the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) have reviewed the application for the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to pay for the proposed acquisition of Webster Woods by the City of Newton pursuant to an eminent domain taking.
LWVN is concerned about the process of using eminent domain to acquire Webster Woods. While the choice of the method of acquisition is not under the purview of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), acquiring Webster Woods with CPA money signals acceptance of the decision to use this acquisition tool. We believe that a more open and transparent process would have been helpful to allay concerns on our Board and allow us to give a whole-hearted approval. Because this did not happen, we do have some reservations that the taking of this land by eminent domain without a full understanding by the public as to its necessity sets a problematic precedent.
Nevertheless, on balance most, but not all, of our Board members support this application and recommends that the committee support this proposal for the following reasons:
- Acquisition of Webster Woods for the preservation of conservation land aligns with LWV and Newton priorities for open space and recreation land that would benefit the community as a whole;
- It has widespread community support;
- This may be the last opportunity to acquire the land and it should not be missed.
Our readers and members of the Board did, however, express the following concerns regarding the proposal, which we request be addressed before the application is approved:
- Project costs, as described in the application, do not seem to adequately take into account: (i) the cost of a hostile taking and a lengthy legal battle with Boston College over the appraised value of the land, and (ii) the annual costs of maintaining Webster Woods.
- $15.2 million of the $15.9 million total costs will be paid for with CPA funds. We believe too large a proportion of the project costs are being funded by CPA dollars. Instead, CPA funds should be used to leverage a larger contribution from outside resources of funding, such as a private partnership or additional community contributions. Alternatively or in addition, the city should find additional pockets of money from its own revenue sources to pay for a portion of this project.
- We are concerned that using such a large amount of CPA funds will deplete the account for years to come and not leave room for the funding of other projects (particularly non-city sponsored projects or those in the affordable housing and recreation categories).
Overall: LWVN supports the acquisition of Webster Woods but would like to have a better understanding of why eminent domain has been determined to be the best method for the acquisition of the land, and see a more realistic estimate of the project costs and the use of more non-CPA dollars to fund the project.
Sincerely,
Marcia Johnson
President, LWVN
Newton Community Preservation Program Survey
The Massachusetts Community Preservation Act (CPA) provides local and state funds for affordable housing, historic resources, open space and recreation land.
Click here to share your ideas about how Newton should use its CPA funds! Most of this survey’s 8 questions are multiple-choice.
Take the Community Preservation Committee Survey
Share Your Ideas About How Newton Should Use Its Community Preservation Act Funds!
The Community Preservation Committee’s new community survey has only 8 questions and can be completed in about 6 minutes. To share your ideas about funding priorities for affordable housing, historic resources, open space and recreation land, go to the program’s home page, www.newtonma.gov/cpa, or click on this direct link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G5KSBZD.
For help, contact program manager Alice Ingerson at aingerson@newtonma.gov or 617.796.1144. Thank you!
The League Presents: The Newton Community Preservation Committee
The latest episode of ‘The League Presents…’ is a discussion with three current and former members of the Newton Community Preservation Committee (CPC) about the process and projects that the CPC has funded. Watch it today! The League Presents…the Newton Community Preservation Commission
Thanks to Community Preservation Committee members current chair Mark Armstrong, former vice chair Walter Bernheimer, and former chair Joel Feinberg, as well as to Alice Ingerson for her help and to host Marcia Johnson!
Celebrate 2 CPC Projects: Newton Highlands Playground and the Whipple Fence
Celebrate Newton Highlands Playground on April 26th!
On Friday, April 26th from 4 to 7 pm, come put the revitalized Newton Highlands Playground through its paces with games, family activities and refreshments! The Parks & Recreation Dept. combined $2.7 million in CPA funding with CDBG (federal) funds to create a new tot lot, courts, playing fields, and accessible pathways and to improve the woodland trails. The playground is at 10 Dedham Street
Help Re-Dedicate the Whipple-Beal Fence on June 2nd!
The League of Women Voters was a supporter of Newton Cemetery’s application to the CPC for the restoration of the historic Whipple-Beal fence in Newton Cemetery & Arboretum. The Friends of Newton Cemetery is planning a ceremony to re-dedicate the restored fence, and we are cordially invited. Join Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, the fence restoration team and the Friends of Newton Cemetery on Sunday, June 2nd @ 3:00 pm and see one of the most historic elements in the Cemetery back in place, fully restored.