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MEMORANDUM
Hello! Along with many of you, and along with many other Middlesex alumni from many other classes, I have long been opposed to the School's position with respect to expanding the campus into the Estabrook Woods, the "East Fields" project. Now, just before the Centennial, I thought I would summarize my thoughts on the subject in hopes of encouraging others to take a stand and let the School know we disapprove of the project. I've also written to the Trustees, a copy of which is attached. 1. The School Seems Determined to Ignore All Opposition. I, and many others, are frustrated that the School continues to press forward with this ill-conceived and destructive project, in spite of continued strong opposition from a great number of graduates and students, numerous Concord citizens and neighbors, and all the environmental preservation groups in this area. I find it disturbing to see the School so determined to ignore its own community in pursuit of such a questionable and insensitive project. I find it unworthy of Middlesex that the School's response to every environmental hurdle so far (repeated findings of more endangered species) has been to devise yet another variation of the bridge over the wetlands, that while it may comply with the letter of the law, circumvents the spirit. Thus, when a vernal pool and endangered species were found at the proposed bridge site, the School's response was to redesign the 100-foot long bridge with its100-foot causeways at each end to become a 300-foot long bridge plus approach ramps. That is not the response of a School that acknowledges the obligation to avoid damaging the wetland habitat; that is the response of a School that has made up its mind and will do what it takes to circumvent all the environmental protections that are still in its way. That is the attitude of a real estate developer, not of a school "in the business of educating children". 2. What Really Was the School's Intent in the 1960s? There is, in all this, a new development that could offer some hope of reason saving the day. One of the issues in this long-running controversy about the fate of the woodlands has been whether the Middlesex leaders of the 1960s who initially worked to protect Estabrook Woods actually intended to preserve the School's lands in the woods from future development. Accounts from those who were present at the time, when the effort to acquire land and conservation restrictions for Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology was underway, indicate that it was certainly understood that Middlesex's intentions were indeed to manage its lands east of Bateman's Pond as a wildlife preserve, in conjunction with Harvard's MCZ. In fact, it was precisely this expression of the School's long-range intent which helped convince neighboring landowners to donate or otherwise contribute at bargain prices their property to the MCZ effort. In recent years, after the idea of soccer fields, tennis courts and housing in the woods arose, Middlesex's leaders have downplayed this intent, claiming there was nothing in writing and nothing to prove the School's intentions. 3. Middlesex's Goals in Monk Terry's Own Words. Very recently, however, a copy of the Alumni Bulletin of May 1963 has come to light, and it includes on the first page a statement from Headmaster Monk Terry that demonstrates clearly the School's goal to hold all of its land east of the pond as a wildlife preserve for future generations, in conjunction with the Harvard acquisition . Last week I, and others, arranged to send copies of Monk's statement to the Trustees at their recent meeting at School. Whether it was even discussed or not I don't know, but I would like to share it with all of you as well. As you might expect, his phraseology is beautiful, and apt. A copy is attached. 4. Violating Estabrook Woods is a Violation of Trust. Monk Terry's statement was issued in the name of the School, and was sent to all its alumni. Monk was speaking not only as the long-time headmaster of the School, but also at that time as co-chair (with the Town of Concord) of the Harvard project's major fund-raising drive, and as vice-chair of the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology visiting committee. The Middlesex Board of Trustees at that time was also very much involved in the effort to protect Estabrook Woods, and the Trustees were active in lending money and obtaining options on adjacent properties for eventual MCZ acquisition. It is abundantly clear that Middlesex not only participated in the effort to protect Estabrook Woods, but that Monk Terry and other School leaders fully intended the School's lands east of the pond to be preserved and part of the project as well. I believe it is now time, at last, for the School's present leaders to recognize and honor that commitment by dropping all plans to encroach on the Woods and to preserve its woodlands permanently for this and future generations of Middlesex students. To do otherwise would be a violation of a long-held trust. 5. The Project is the Wrong Use of the School's Capital Funds. I believe the primary argument against the project is the violation of a preservation legacy, but from a cost standpoint it is irresponsible as well. As the project has dragged on through the EPA review process, and through legal challenges brought by concerned Concord citizens, and through numerous redesigns of the bridge crossing the wetlands caused by discoveries of ever more endangered species, vernal pools and rare habitats, the costs have ballooned. A comparatively simple causeway/bridge/roadway scheme has evolved into a 30-foot by 300-foot long steel bridge, the construction of which will be a major undertaking that will be devastating to the entire area. It will also be very costly. Middlesex is just completing the largest fund-raising drive in its history, the Campaign of a Century, and I wonder how many people, perhaps many of our class, who contributed major funds to the Campaign thought their money would be used for such a demonstrably destructive purpose? And how many would want their money back if they knew? 6. Better Options Exist. It is disturbing that the School has shown so little interest in exploring other solutions to the need for more tennis courts and playing fields, namely across Lowell Road. Possibilities surely exist for augmenting the property the School already owns there, if only the School would apply the same persistence and creativity that has been expended in the effort to clear-cut Estabrook Woods. There are conservation groups and Concord citizens more than willing to work with the School on a creative solution to this controversy, but unfortunately so far the School has shown little interest. 7. What Can be Done? I continue to believe that somehow if enough of us, the graduates of the School who oppose the "East Fields" project, were to speak out forcefully our opposition to what is being planned in our name in the Estabrook Woods, that we still might be able to turn things around. I certainly hope so. I see from the program of the Centennial that there will be a forum on Saturday to discuss the project. I urge everyone in the 1950 class to join in, and also to write to the Trustees and tell them your opposition, as I have to believe they will ultimately pay attention to the alumni. The president of the Trustees is Royal (Mike) Victor III, '57, 208 Via Tortuga, Palm Beach, FL 33480. His E-mail is royaliii@aol.com. When you write him, ask him to distribute copies to other Trustees as well. Another way would be to mail letters addressed to the Board to School, and ask them to mail a copy to all the Trustees. I think the School has an obligation to do that for us, the graduates. Best regards to you all; I hope to see many of you at the Centennial. Ed Summersby 15 Vassal Lane, Cambridge, MA 02138 |
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