To the Editor;
The Department of Transportation Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 4th, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at ORR High School Auditorium. This is the Last Chance for residents to ask the experts questions about the Main Street, Water Street, Beacon Street and Marion Road reconstruction plan that is currently on the Town Website for viewing. It is the last time for us, the people who live and love Mattapoisett to speak up about the plan’s impacts before it is determined to be put into action. Please attend if you can and read on for further information on submitting your opinions and thoughts.
My research on this new plan tells me that a few of the trees that were scheduled to be removed, have been saved. My analysis of this plan also shows that only 5 new trees are on this plan and furthermore, as we know from a survey of the existing trees, many of the trees that have been saved have questionable life spans after the disturbance of the road is complete. What is missing from this current plan, and all of the plans that have been presented to us, are ideas that show us a new vision, not just a plan which replaces worn underground utilities and drainage while smoothing out the new surface so that cars and trucks will travel faster.
I, and many others in this community, have envisioned a plan for the heart of our Village and Waterfront which will enhance the enjoyment of bicyclists and pedestrians, including the aged and handicapped with their assistive devices, not motor vehicles and snowplows. This can be done in a plan with dramatic changes from those previously and currently proposed. A design with features such as bump-outs for tree plantings and benches which provide shade for the people of the community and are proven to slow traffic.
It is common practice in DOT projects for the landscape architects and arborists to weigh in after this 25% plan is approved, but in our village with space limitations well beyond the norm for DOT projects, it will be too late to provide the space needed for tree plantings and their ability to thrive and grow and provide many benefits for years in the future. Therefore, our voices must be heard now. Written project inquiries, statements and other exhibits regarding this plan may be submitted within 10 business days of this hearing to Carrie E. Lavallee, P.E., Chief Engineer, via email to MassDOTProjectManagement@dot.state.ma.us or via US Mail to Suite 7550, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Project Management, Project File No. 607440.
I urge all who can to attend, view the hearing on the DOT website if you cannot attend, and submit your thoughts within the limited time frame to see that our Village of the future is the village you hope it will be.
Sandra Hering
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