Town of Walpole
Walpole, MA 02081
March 29, 2023
Attn: Walpole Town Selectman, Walpole Planning Board, Walpole Conservation Commission, et al.

Dear Walpole Town Selectman, Walpole Planning Board, Walpole Conservation Commission, and other esteemed town leaders,

We write to you today on the topic of the recent plans to add trails and a pull-off on North Street to access conservation land abutting Willett Pond.  We seek to share our support for certain aspects of the plan and our requests to revise other components of the plan.  We write to you as residents of Walpole, users of North Street, recreational users of Willett Pond, and other impacted citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

As background, we are excited to hear that the land in question has been acquired by the town of Walpole and will be protected for future generations for passive recreation.  We believe this was a wise choice by the town of Walpole.  With such little unblemished open space left in Walpole, and much of it being in the North Walpole area, these types of investments add to the health of our environment, the wellbeing of our citizens and the property values in the surrounding area.  We applaud your efforts.

We believe that this unique and largely unspoiled piece of land should remain in its current natural state.  We are supportive of the current plans to put a small, natural, low impact hiking trail on the property, to connect with Adams Farm.  However, we believe this should be the limit of the changes to the property in question.  Specifically, we are calling on Walpole town leadership to adjust their current plans to not include the turnout or similar auto way on North Street, for the following reasons:

1. Environment Destruction
   1. The increased car and human traffic will have an adverse impact on the environment and wildlife, including but not limited to potential disruption of nesting Bald Eagles in this specific area of Willett Pond
   2. The property is covered in streams and ponds that feed Willett Pond and the Neponsit river.  Adding a manmade turnout and increasing auto traffic is at odds with protecting our wetlands and the Wetland Protection Act
   3. This avoidable environmental destruction is contrary to the charter of the Conservation Commission
   4. Beyond specifically prohibiting parking, the deed states that "the Premises will be used exclusively for passive, non-motorized use", clearly in conflict with a turnout
2.  Destroying our town history and scenic roadways
   1. Building the turnout requires destruction of historical fences and stone walls and adds to the industrialization of a protected scenic North Street, as designated by the people of Walpole
3. Significantly increased driving and pedestrian danger
   1. This is one of the narrowest points of North Street and is sure to create congestion and add to the already unsafe driving conditions existing in this busy thoroughfare
   2. The Conservation Commissions claim that cars would try to stop here without a turnout lacks credibility as a turnout would only increase the “invitation” to do so
4. Better Options for Willett Pond Access
   1. Public access exists at the “beach” on Brook St., including a wide and gradual beach only ~25 ft from a safer road, with an existing unloading area for canoes and kayaks, and parking on Pettees Pond Ln, making this “urban sprawl” turnout completely unnecessary
   2. North Street is a residential area, and constant drop offs, idling, loading, and unloading will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on the tax paying citizens of Walpole
   3. There is already ample parking and drop off zones at Adams Farm, making this expensive, unsightly, and dangerous addition unnecessary
   4. The Conservation Commission’s claim that this turnout would help policing and first responders is overstated and not been requested by the fire or police departments, as there is A) ample parking at Adams Farm and B) an emergency lane / median that has been used by the town in the immediate vicinity
5. Wasteful Taxpayer Expense
   
   1. The cost to taxpayers is significant and of little benefit as outlined above
   2. Given these uncertain economic times and the many competing priorities for our taxpayer dollars, Walpole would be wiser to divert these funds to better uses such as education and public safety priorities

This group of citizens continues to applaud the town of Walpole and the Conservation Commission for its foresight in acquiring this piece of land and plans to provide the public with responsible access.  We believe that the small change noted above will provide the optimal balance between outdoor recreation opportunities beneficial to the town and surrounding communities while maintaining a safe North Street and protecting Walpole’s environment and cherished unblemished open spaces.

Sincerely, 

The Petition Signees