David Feyler's blog

I want to thank Dave for spending the time and finding out more information about the I-Cube funding. I realize Westwood Station is something many residents have been waiting years for. The problem is we no longer know what we are getting. The I-Cube is an opportunity for the residents to find out exactly what is going on when it comes to Westwood Station. Trust me I am sick and tired of the high taxes in Westwood just like everyone else. What I don't want to see happen is the biggest mistake in Westwood history. Nancy Hyde and Steve Rafsky had no problem before telling the town how much positive tax revenue we would get from Westwood Station. The development has changed big time from then and now and we need to know what is going to be the net positive in tax revenue. I am not against Westwood Station I live on the other side of town. What I am against is how this project keeps changing by the minute. The town has used scare tactics more than once to get us to vote yes on different articles when it comes to Westwood Station. Now is the time to put our foot down and not allow them to use the same tactics as they have used in the past. I can see it now your sitting at town meeting and one of the selectman will say if we don't vote YES on the I-Cube the state will back out of its 55 million.

The I-Cubed funding will be presented to the FinCom a day before the annual town elections. Why is the town waiting so long to put that article on? Could it be the town wants to make sure the library gets funded before talking about the I-Cubed funding? Could it be that the less people that know about the I-Cubed funding would mean a smaller town meeting? I can only guess because the town doesn't like being very transparent. I believe Mike [Jaillett] said last night at the Government Study Task Force meeting that we will be lucky if 200 residents show up for this town meeting. If only 200 residents showed up then it would be easy to stack the deck for any article vote. For the residents that do not feel we should risk 6 million dollars maybe you should try to make this town meeting.

CC&F is getting 55 million dollars from the state and wants to ask the town to accept the I-Cube for 6 million. Who is paying for this project the state the town or CC&F? My question is does CC&F have funding yet? The town wants us to vote on 6 million dollar I-Cubed funding and I have not heard that CC&F has the funding to make this project a go. Let's do some quick math. New Library 13 million, the possibility of being on the hook for 6 million for I-Cubed funding and the very strong possibility for a large operational override next year. Let's take care of our own backyard and let CC&F do the same.  I may have some leaves on my lawn from last year but CC&F has 140 acres of overgrown weeds which I would rather not be a part of.

I would like to know who the other candidates are for the open seat on the planning board. When I called the town and asked for the names they would not release them. The people that put their names should put something in the paper as to why they didn't step forward just a couple of months ago. Some of the residents who ran for boards actually got out there and knocked on doors and talked to residents. On the planning board like most boards it's what you stand for and not so much what you know when it comes to the board. There is a learning curve for everyone new. Let me be the first to tell you how I feel on different planning board issues. When it comes to open space, I believe we should try to preserve as much open space as we can. Special Permits change the town and I'm not against change but once you make that change you can't go back. Westwood Station is a perfect example of how important the planning board position is in the town. My stand on Westwood Station is I am not against it.
I am against the size and the refusal of the developer to downsize and expand overtime. The developer is not looking at an override in May, we are. When it comes to Wild Star Farm, I believe they are not asking for a Special Permit so they have the legal right to build. The planning board can make recommendations and have a site plan review. The horses using the Lowell Woods is a conservation issue not a planning board issue. For the residents that put their name in for planning board ,you should at least come out and let the residents know how you stand on different issues. You had the opportunity just a couple of months ago to throw your hat in the ring and you did not. Yes it is much easier being a hand picked person from the BOS then getting out there and doing the real work. We have already seen the BOS last time Mr Gale stepped down , the BOS appointed someone else and not the person who came within 19 votes of winning the planning board seat. That race was a virtual tie and Mr Gale wrote a letter that recomended Mr Toffoloni for the planning board position. That being said the BOS ignored the voters choice and felt their vote held more weight.  

On December 11, 2008 CC&F received their special permit for Westwood Station. They have less than 2 years to start going vertical. The way I see it, time is against Westwood Station and the Town. Next year the Town will most likely be looking for an override and for all we know Westwood Station will still be a pile of dirt. Our Town Selectman and boards need to come to the realization that the project may be to big for the Town and the developer. There is no sign that the developer has any funding available to move forward.

I am not against Westwood Station, how can I be I live over by the High School so it does not directly effect me. On the other hand an override does directly effect myself and my family. Many residents in the town have said for years now that the project is just too big. That point of view fell on deaf ears from our boards who then told the residents one thing and did another.

It's time to vote someone on the board that can think outside the box and is not just another hand picked candidate from the Board of Selectman.

How can Mr Rafsky stay objective when it comes to Westwood Station? He sat on the Economic Development Advisory Board and he and Nancy Hyde are the face of Westwood Station. We need new faces, new Ideas on not only the planning board but all our boards.

I hope to garnish your Vote on Tuesday April 28.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If any resident has a
question they would like to ask me they can call me at 781-326-6924 or
post it on the blog.

I would love it if Steve Rafsky would post on the blog. Their are many questions I have for Mr Rafsky.

Here is just one question:

Westwood Station has already received its Special Permit. In 2 years if Westwood Station hasn't gone vertical would you vote to extend their Special Permit for another year?

I will tell you my stand on the same question. After 2 years it would be unlikely that I would be in favor of giving Westwood Station another year on the Special Permit. In 2 years if they have not raised the 1.5 billion dollars then maybe it's time to downscale the project.