Medford to Pitch in $10K For Fells Lawsuit

The city of Medford has agreed to pitch in $10,000 to assist the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation in their legal battle against the redevelopment of a lengthy stretch of Woodland Road in Stoneham.

Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn, Medford Rep. Paul Donato, Friends of the Fells Executive Director Mike Ryan and Medford Environmental Agent Alicia Hunt spoke Friday morning at a press conference announcing the decision.

The project, known as Langwood Commons, is in the middle of the Middlesex Fells, not far from the north part of Medford. While the property is privately owned, the Fells is managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

The Friends of the Fells, as well as concerned residents and city officials, have argued the plans do not have appropriate environmental review and the impact on traffic and the environmental landscape of nearby Medford roads have not been considered.

DCR recently extended the public comment period on the Woodland Road redevelopment from March 26 to April 9, according to the Friends of the Fells website. McGlynn had formally requested the period be extended by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

The press conference was held near the rotary where Elm Street, Fulton Street, Highland Avenue and Woodland Road all meet as mid-day traffic rolled through.

"This is part of a five-mile loop where we hike, where we bike, where we jog...it is a peaceful and recreational area that we believe, unless there is a full environmental review, it will cause serious damage to this entire region," McGlynn said.

McGlynn said the the $10,000 was being contributed to make sure "that we have enough revenue to follow this through in the courts and make sure we get a full environmental review."

McGlynn also expressed concern about the additional estimated 4,500 cars that would go through the rotary area per day as a result of the new development. He said traffic improvements would be needed on Elm Street as a result.

Donato said the redevelopment would reduce the southbound lane of Woodland Road from two lanes to one.

"We will continue to monitor and observe, but more important, make sure this developer does not have an environmental impact on this community," Donato said.

Ryan called the fight to protect this part of the Fells a 13-year battle. 

"We have not come this far in this journey to see it all go up in smoke," Ryan said.

Ryan said the Friends of the Fells earned a victory in Middlesex Superior Court this week, when a judge ruled their legal fight could continue.

"We thank the city, we thank the mayor and we thank the City Council for passing a resolution in March for supporting a full environmental review," Ryan said.

Ryan also remarked on the "thousands" of letters written by citizens in support of the Fells.

Hunt offered her perspective not just as the city's environmental agent but also as a resident of the neighborhood. At present, traffic in the area is already a major issue, she said.

"My babysitter has asked me to get a parking permit for Wright's Pond because she does not feel safe crossing this street...she feels that's the only way she can safely convey my children from our house to Wright's Pond," she said.

McGlynn concluded the proceedings with a message to the people who would like to see those raising these concerns go away.

"We're not going anywhere," he said. "That's why we're committing the money, we're going to fight this thing to the end for the safety and protection of the citizens of our community."