Top Comments: Bullard Farm Impact

On 

 said: I lived on Bullard Street for over 10 years and did not realize the significance of that property until I read your letter. 

You stated that the report of the Cultural Resource Survey done in 1989 is filed at the farm along with the artifacts. Is it possible for the public to view those? Perhaps if they could be seen, then the importance of this site would resonate and people would be inclined to do everything that they could to protect it.

 said: Thank you for this great and valuable information. I live directly across the street from the planting fields and pray your voice, our voices, will be heard and this precious land will be spared from such destruction. I envision crops planted by organic farmers, pollenated by local bees, enjoyed for years to come by the entire community. 

On 

 said: Dear Ms. Haffty/Zazula, 
I'm glad that you were able to enjoy your childhood on the shores of Holliston's lovely Lake Winthrop. It is a beautiful place.

With respect to comments in your post, you may find the following of interest: 
• Your income taxes, and those of all MA residents, will be going down this year from 5.3% to 5.25%. 
• Corporate income taxes will go down this year, to 8.25%, from 9.5% in 2009. 
• Transportation expenses will decrease by approx. $2b over 20 years because of restructuring by the legislature in 2009. 
• The state will save $5b over the next 30 years from reforms to state pensions enacted by the legislature last year. 
• Municipalities have already saved millions of dollars as the result of the municipal health insurance law that the legislature passed last year. 
• Small businesses will benefit from new health insurance cooperatives and caps on unemployment insurance rates that are the result of legislation passed over the past several years. 

You also reference the sales tax. As you may remember, back in 2009, the tolls on the Mass Turnpike were going to increase dramatically to pay for debt costs related to the big dig. Commuters from the communities I represent were going to be unfairly burdened with paying for this debt through toll increases, even though the project clearly has state-wide benefits. During the FY2010 budget, I joined a coalition of legislators that fought to make sure toll fares would no longer be used for big dig debt and pushed for a more equitable solution to meeting the state’s big dig debt obligations. The increase in the sales tax, which I supported, was the result; it ensures that responsibility for paying big dig debt is shared across the state - not just put unfairly on the shoulders of my constituents and those of other Pike communities. It is a question of basic fairness. 
I’m sure the State Representative from your community would also appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.