Group forms to challenge highway project
Published on November 28th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - Darlene Bruen of Woburn has organized a group of citizens from Stoneham, Woburn and Reading who don’t want the state to take their homes.
The state unveiled plans to reconstruct the interchange of Routes 93 and 95 in the above communities at an Oct. 23 meeting in Woburn. Notice was sent to city and town halls, but abutters were not contacted. After the meeting, the word spread and people scrambled to find a way to defend their property. State officials have not developed a final design, and they don’t plan to for around a year, but if citizens want to make an impact they must get involved early.
Darlene Bruen convinced folks at the Nov. 20 Selectmen’s meeting that she had a will and a way to fight the state. Citizens from all three communities have called her and volunteered to help. She didn’t release names but said an architect and engineer, among others, are on board.
“We will meet next Wednesday (Dec. 5) to establish our mission, set goals and develop a marketing and communication plan for each community,” Bruen said in a separate interview. She will head the board of directors for her as of yet unnamed community group.
At the Nov. 20 Selectmen’s meeting a packed room of residents asked local state legislators for information and help.
Representatives Festa, Casey and Carol Donovan, a Woburn Democrat, first made it clear that they had know idea the project was in the works until after the first hearing on Oct. 23. They all swore to bully MassHighway into giving neighbors notice of upcoming hearings, and they added that they would oppose and not vote to fund a project with such land takings.
Donovan said the project was funded as part of a package of improvements five years ago, and its number came up this year. Around $400,000 has been set aside to study how best to improve the safety and traffic flow at the interchange.
Senator Tisei’s aide, David D’Arcangelo, said his boss was also concerned. Tisei cosigned a letter to MassHighway Commissioner Matthew Amorello a week after the first hearing, criticizing the department for not notifying legislators and citizens.
Bruen has been doing research, and she has a plan of attack.
“You don’t stop studies. You move them,” Bruen said. “I was scared at first, but now I have information and I feel empowered.”
Cooking star
Michael Bourque, a Stoneham native living in Melrose, will be featured on “Calling All Cooks” on Friday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. He will be making Rappie pie, an old family dish that involves grinding up 30 pounds of potatoes in an old food grinder built by his grandfather.
Public safety study
sub-committee
Selectmen Chairman Tony Kennedy directed Town Administrator David Berry to put together a committee to review the Mass Municipal Association’s study of the Stoneham Fire Department in order to recommend staffing changes.
Berry will check back with Selectmen at their next meeting.
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