We the undersigned hereby petition all town officials in Westwood MA to reject any plan to remove the approximately 12 acres of open space and trees at the Shuttleworth field behind the Hanlon Elementary School.

While we are supportive of efforts to identify alternatives to fossil fuels and to support the development of more environmentally sustainable energy sources, we believe that removal of the trees at Shuttleworth is contradictory to the foundational goals and values underlying such important initiatives.  Additionally, pairing such a project alongside the Hanlon elementary school will be a daily reminder to our children that the removal of farmlands and forests is preferable to smart growth measures that preserve our town character, engage our businesses in community conservation and protect the land for decades to come. It is our responsibility to ‘keep the wood in Westwood’ for future generations.

Westwood has a wide variety of public, private, and commercial locations which are significantly better suited to expanding our solar energy network.  The elimination of existing open, green space, rather than exhausting these other alternatives, is unacceptable and should not be allowed to move forward. We implore you to take all measures in your power to halt any progress on this project.