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Middlesex Graduates for Estabrook
<http://www.estabrookwoods.org>May 7, 2000
Dear Middlesex Graduate:
Once again we are writing to update you on the status of the Trustees' plans for building new facilities in the School's portion of Estabrook Woods. We also want to ask for your help in bringing about a creative solution to the controversy, now eight years old.
Update:
Last summer the School received its wetlands permit from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The permit allows the bridge construction and wetlands alterations to begin. However, the permit has been appealed by a concerned group of Concord citizens who believe that the plan does not adequately protect endangered species and their habitat in the area slated for development. They have also identified problems with the wetlands mitigation plan, and important procedural problems as well. The project is on hold while the appeal is considered.
While it may be months or even a year before the appeal is resolved, it is unclear whether the appeal will stop the project. In fact, it may only delay construction. Eventually, the School may be permitted to build in its portion of Estabrook Woods, providing it can meet existing environmental regulations. What we concerned graduates have not yet done successfully is convince the Trustees that, although they may have the legal right to develop the Woods for playing fields, tennis courts and a second campus, it is not the right thing to do. We feel that developing Estabrook Woods is not the highest and best use of our increasingly rare open space. The School's Woods could be better used for instruction in the natural sciences, history and archeology, for recreation, and as quiet refuge from a busy world.
A group of Middlesex students has recently confirmed this conclusion in their survey of the entire student body and teaching staff. The survey results, which were presented to the Trustees at their January meeting, indicate that only 31% of Middlesex students and teachers feel the current athletic or dormitory facilities are insufficient, and only 28% believe the atmosphere of the school would be improved with more facilities. An overwhelming majority of students and teachers (88%) value the Estabrook Woods as one of Middlesex's resources, and 76% oppose cutting down part of the Woods for athletic fields. The students' survey is mentioned in a recent Boston Globe article (attached) which reviews the ongoing controversy over the School's plans.
Creative Solutions:
Over the years, Middlesex graduates and others have put forth ideas to help resolve the conflict, suggesting ways for Middlesex to improve and expand its facilities without cutting down a portion of the Woods. For example, in August 1997, concerned Concord citizens and Middlesex graduates paid $400,000 to purchase an alternative site for future potential development outside of the Woods. Middlesex has also found room on the existing campus to put several new faculty houses, reducing the immediate development pressure on the Woods.
Another creative solution that has emerged recently among graduates and concerned citizens is the idea of buying a Conservation Restriction from the School on its remaining land in the Woods. A Conservation Restriction (CR) would keep the land in Middlesex ownership while prohibiting or restricting development. By selling a CR, Middlesex could permanently protect their land in Estabrook while generating funds to invest in other campus development. Such a win-win solution could also reunite a fractured School family. We need to encourage the school to explore and consider this possible solution.
To learn more, please visit our new website, http://www.estabrookwoods.org, which presents information on the history of the Estabrook Woods controversy, the ecological impacts of the proposed development, the School's evolving plans for bridges, roadways, houses, playing fields and tennis courts in the Woods, the students' complete survey results, the current legal appeal, and more. Another new Estabrook Woods website, packed with interesting information, can be found at: http://home.earthlink.net/~steveells/estabrook/.
What We Can Do:
We are asking now for letters of support from graduates who are interested in protecting the Woods. We want to know if you support the idea of the School selling a Conservation Restriction on all or a portion of their land, particularly the deepest part near the core of the Estabrook Woods. We also want to hear your other ideas for creative solutions. Most of all, we want to demonstrate that Middlesex graduates remain concerned about the fate of the Woods and believe that the Woods, in their natural state, are one of the School's most important assets.
We are collecting letters which we can then compile and send to each Trustee, including the new people who have recently joined the Board. This way we will be sure that the decision-makers who are new to the issue hear our side of the story. Please send or e-mail your letters to the addresses below. When you do, please indicate whether we may post your letter on our web-site. If you can't write a letter, please at least let us know whether we can post your name as someone who supports protecting the Woods. Also, if we sent this letter to you by regular mail, please send us your e-mail address so we can more easily update you in the future.
We are grateful that hundreds of committed graduates continue to care about the fate of Middlesex's Estabrook Woods. We are confident that a creative solution can be found. With your help, we will protect these beloved Woods while ensuring a prosperous future for the School.
Thanks for your support. I look forward to hearing from you!
Annie Faulkner '81, for Middlesex Graduates for Estabrook
SEND YOUR LETTERS VIA: E-mail: Estabrook_Woods@hotmail.com Or: Middlesex Graduates for Estabrook, c/o Annie Faulkner; P.O. Box 194, Sullivan, NH 03445 You can also call for more information: 603/847-9798
P.S. Please pass this letter along to your Middlesex friends and classmates. We were only able to send this update to about 20% of the alumni. We need as many people as possible to participate!