Congregation Mishkan Tefila overwhelmingly approved plans to sell its synagogue building and 24 acres at Webster Woods in Chestnut Hill to Boston College.
The Globe’s Ellen Ishkanian has the details here .
And Jonathan Dame’s report for Wicked Local Newton can be found here.
I have questions. To Newton Conservators, BOA members, Mayor’s office, Chestnut Hill Group, and anyone else.
Why did this sale only rally the troops after a contract negotiation was in process? The leadership of CMT has been working to gain enough votes to sell the property for almost 2 years. The vote in early 2014 only failed by 12 votes so it was basically inevitable the property would be sold.
The bids were requested in or around July 2015 so why not try to jump in then? Since the Mayor accepted the resolution from the BOA but wouldn’t interfere with the private sale, why didn’t he try to save Webster Woods before, say in 2014?
Why is Boston College being so close mouthed about public use of Webster Woods? Why is BC saying it will wait until CMT moves in 2019 to decide what to do with the rest of the property, i.e. anything but the building and the parking lot? And doesn’t the deed restriction end in the early 2050’s?
Thank you.