Dear Building Committee:
I reach out to you to ask on behalf of the rural character of the Town and natural open space that has already diminished so greatly in the last two decades that you reconsider the intention to construct a new fire station on the land which is owned by the Lawrence Homestead Trust along Farmers Row.
Such an action is unnecessary to the needs of the Town which may be satisfied with other actions such as enlarging the existing station or choosing another site that is already in a developed zone of the town.
This piece of land is unique as it is one of the few open spaces that is visible to people as they come into the center of the town and truly is a significant part of the natural open space that lends the Town its rural character despite the growth the Town has experienced.
I hope you will do everything you can to find an alternative solution to the desire expressed for a larger building on the part of the Fire Chief. Surely there is an answer that will not so effectively change the character of the town and the landscapes few and far between that still evidence the Town’s commitment to preserve its historic agricultural culture and the beauty therein appreciated by all who reside here.
Best regards,
Alix Chace
Postscript Message:
Dear Committee:
I also question the bias of the committee based on the fact that at least 50% of the committee are members of the fire department.
Best regards,
Alix Chace
Broad Meadow Road
Dear Alix:
We appreciate your letter and concerns. Groton has a long legacy of
embracing our scenic open vistas and vast swaths of open space. We have
spent millions of dollars preserving places like Gibbett Hill, Surrenden
Farms, The Williams Barn and many other areas for future generations.
Groton is still beautiful but constantly growing.
We have a serious need for a new central fire station. The Town,
through several attempts, has tried to find a location where a new fire
station could be sited. As you probably know, the search was based on
many factors including response time, cost, neighborhood, aesthetics,
and availability or property. The Town does not want to take any
property by eminent domain if there is any way to avoid it.
The Lawrence Homestead Trust property turns out to be the best, and in
some measures, the only property available that can meet the
requirements of the town. For this reason it was proposed at Town
Meeting and overwhelmingly accepted by the voters. The building will be
constructed in the least conspicuous area of the site and is being
designed in a manner to appear consistent with our local architecture.
The current Center Fire Station cannot be expanded to meet the needs of
the town. There is simply not enough room on the site and the building
is completely inadequate today.
No decision such as this will be unanimous. There are some residents
that are concerned because the site to be used is so beautiful and
noteworthy. However, we are doing everything we can to make the new
fire station fit into the site and to meet the historic and bucolic
nature of Groton.
While we completely understand your position we must address the overall
needs for the public at large. It is a delicate balance to try to
achieve both. We thank you for sharing your concerns with us.
Please come to the public hearing on August 8 to voice your concern and
see where the plans currently are. It will be held at the Groton Town
Hall, Second Floor Meeting room and begin at 7:00 p.m.
Regards,
Josh Degen
Alix,
You may want to review the timeline of the fire station proposals and the path the town took to reach Farmers Row, at http://www.thegrotonline.com/central-fire-timeline/
Lovely residents of Groton! A Call To ACTION! Come sign my petition against building on the Lawrence Homestead property site , the most visible beautiful meadow en route into our town center. I will be at the site Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the junction of Farmers Row and Rte. 225 demonstrating against the proposed site for building an absurdly large 18,500 square foot building at the price tag of over 8 Million Dollars on a meadow which is a joy to all who pass by it.
Join me in demonstrating! Bring a sign or take up one of mine! Sign my petition for a warrant article on the next Town Meeting.
Thank you and see you at the site this week!