Dan Foley just sent us this:
I just received the attached in the mail. It’s a letter from Boston College’s VP of Governmental and Community Affairs regarding the City of Newton’s “ill-advised and expensive eminent domain proposal.”
It was addressed to “The Foley Residence.” I wonder how much they paid for a list of Newton residents, plus the postage.
The letter definitely includes some very misleading information. It says:
“The Newton Community Preservation committee has $14 million in a fund for affordable housing, historic resources, open space, and recreational land, currently with at least 28 projects vying for funding. All of those projects, – from affordable housing and public parks/playgrounds to historic preservation would lose out if the Mayor and City Council proceed to direct the entire fund to pay for Boston College’s land.”
The most important word in that sentence is ‘IF’. I haven’t been following this issue nearly as closely as Boston College no doubt is. So I’m quite certain that BC is completely aware that the City’s plan is to devote roughly half of each year’s CPC funding targeted for ‘open space/recreation” to this project. That would still leave half of each year’s funding targeted to open space/recreation available for other projects AND would leave ALL of the CPC funding for affordable housing and historic preservation intact.
Later the letter says “Boston College has been a good neighbor”. That may have been true in the past but not at the moment. Good neighbors don’t try to rile up the neighborhood with false and misleading rumors about their neighbors.
The letter ends with a request to contact the Mayor and City Council. I’d urge you instead to contact Thomas Keady, Vice President Government & Community Affairs, Boston College 617-552-2512, [email protected]
Facts matter.
In terms of the “comps” in that letter, how much of the land BC owns is wetlands, ledge, or otherwise not buildable?
Also, how much has BC contributed in PILOT funds over the years to Newton and Boston?
My letter (using a slightly different appoach as a BC alumn and Newton resident) also states there was an offered land swap proposal. Are there any details on that?
I got that too. Funny how BC is suddenly concerned about Newton’s municipal affairs. Also incredible that there is not a single word in the letter about the woods themselves or about BC’s commitment to conservation.
BC has been a little stingy, along with most other colleges in Boston:
http://www.bcgavel.com/2019/09/10/bc-paid-10-percent-of-bostons-requested-payment-in-lieu-of-tax/
https://newton.wickedlocal.com/news/20160817/newton-pilot-program-lags-behind-other-communities
Would be better for folks to contact their City councilors and ask them to support saving Webster Woods and that they don’t appreciate BC trying to bully community members via lies and misinformation.
Surprised to see BC playing fast and loose with the truth. Sad to see them resort to dirty tricks. For their part I hope there isn’t any blowback to these tactics.
It’s like those friends who remind you of all the times they were good to you only when they want something from you. It’s icky.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the two brave Boston College students who stood in front of the Community Preservation Committee and asked them to approve the acquisition. Clearly BC’s student body is more forward-thinking and responsible than its administration.
Curious, does anyone know what was the reasoning given by the then Newton Mayor for electing not to purchase the Webster Woods property back in 2014-2015 when, as I understand the City Council would have approved it — and at a price which would have been more than millions of dollars less than what it would cost currently, and not requiring, as now, the further cost entailed in any exercise of eminent domain? Wasn’t Webster Woods as vital to preserve 5 years ago, for future generations, as it is now?
Never have received any answer to this.
I received this letter as well. I found it amusing that Thomas Keady signed it, but didn’t include his email or contact email (thank you Dan Foley for providing it) even as the letter did include contact information for city council and Mayor Fuller.
If BC is so concerned about Newton’s finances, perhaps they can offer up more in PILOT funds.
Newton needs to start charging BC a payment in lieu of taxes.
I’m with Newtoner on this: “…incredible that there is not a single word in the letter about the woods themselves or about BC’s commitment to conservation.” In fact, BC has included the following in a legal filing dated November 6th, “The University has plans in progress and anticipates future development of the entire HPP Property”. So, BC has no intention of preserving the woods.
None of us should be surprised that BC is thinking about the long term (perhaps Father Leahy is thinking about “eternity”), and I for one am very pleased that the CPC and the Mayor are carefully considering the next 50-100 years on Newton’s behalf.
The thinly veiled threats that BC won’t be such a good neighbor if Newton moves forward with the taking by eminent domain demonstrate that BC is willing to use false information, scare tactics and their considerable resources to bully Newton into capitulation. We all need to write to our city councilors to let them know we find their behavior unacceptable.
I encourage you all to write Mayor Fuller and your councilors, supporting the protection of Webster Woods by eminent domain if necessary. Be sure to cc: [email protected].
Looks like Sean and Jerry posted threads on this at about the same time. I’m going to close comments on this one and urge folks to continue the conversation above.