To the editor: My name is Katherine Connolly. I am a resident and former selectman (2006-2009) of Holbrook, Massachusetts. We have a shared experience with TLA and Jack Walsh. First, let me applaud the efforts of the city council, local residents, the RI state legislature and Governor Chafee – your collective concern for the health and welfare of your residents, environment and local economies is commendable. By taking the concerns of the majority in this matter seriously and taking action to prevent one business from circumventing local by-laws and operating conditions imposed by local and state authorities, you will not only improve public health and safety but also the local economic health of the neighborhood involved and East Providence. My sincere congratulations to all involved. You have inspired so many others from Holbrook, Braintree and Randolph, Massachusetts to continue our own efforts to protect our neighborhoods from TLA. Thank you! Mr. Walsh first came to my attention in November 2005 at a Holbrook Selectmen’s meeting that I happened to attend. He and his local attorney, the former Holbrook town moderator, addressed the board that evening and described his plans for a regional solid waste transfer station on a piece of property the Town of Holbrook had coincidentally taken in tax title that year. The property is on the Holbrook/Randolph town line near the border with Braintree. A piece of property not unlike the TLA Pond View site that has many environmental challenges – wetlands, a river that runs through it, vernal pools and located in a flood plain – not to mention it abuts (and actually part of it is included in) the Baird & McGuire Superfund Site, the seventh worst superfund site in the nation . What I remember most from that night was that Mr. Walsh and his attorney said it would operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I knew I had to learn more and get involved. So much has happened since that night and, more to the point, so much hasn’t happened – there is no regional solid waste transfer station in Holbrook today. Mr. Walsh certainly found a town and local government officials who bought his “story” hook, line and sinker. A lease, 1000 tons per day, six days a week, was finally signed by the Holbrook Selectmen and Mr. Walsh’s company at the time – Holbrook Environmental Logistical Partnership (HELP) – in February 2009. A lease that is so one sided in favor of Mr. Walsh and his new company, TLA Holbrook, that it would make any rational person wonder why – the Town basically would never see the amount of income promised by Mr. Walsh – the Town even agreed to pay all the project startup costs including construction. Since 2009 Mr. Walsh has received local permits from the Holbrook Zoning Board of Appeals, the Holbrook Conservation Commission and the Holbrook Planning Board. All three permits are being appealed in court. In addition, a 10 resident petition was filed and accepted by the MA DEP seeking a Superseding Order of Conditions on the Holbrook Conservation Commission permit. All of these appeals are still pending. Residents from Randolph, Braintree and Holbrook have formed a civic group to fight the proposed regional solid waste transfer station – BHR Civic Group – we have a website at www.bhrcivicgroup.com. In addition, the Town of Randolph, Braintree town officials and state representatives and state senators have all joined us in opposition to the project. Last year we gathered over 3000 petition signatures against the project. We know this is the wrong project for Holbrook, we know this is the wrong site for a regional solid waste transfer station and we know we will not stop. Your example and experience with TLA Pond View confirms our fears of what our future would be with TLA Holbrook. Congratulations again on your collective efforts regarding TLA Pond View. On behalf of everyone in Massachusetts fighting the good fight against TLA Holbrook, we wish the East Providence City Council and local residents great success in all your efforts. Katherine Connolly Holbrook Ms. Connolly sent this letter to the East Providence City Council. |