The public only became aware of the exact plans late in the summer of 2023. The design was presented as a “done deal.” Friends of Haggetts Pond and numerous residents acting in an independent capacity lobbied the town to reconsider the design plan and location. Others requested reopening the design process to include more residents’ input. The town held performative meetings and “heard” residents, but did adjust the plans to their feedback. Realizing that the town intends to pursue this project without fully engaging with residents to seek compromise solutions, believing that our system of town government is based on principles of representation and inclusion, we concluded that the only solution that we saw was to propose bylaw changes in order to force the issue.
We hope you share these beliefs and concerns.
