To the editor:

I’ve now been in several meetings where the School Building and Improvement Bond that will be in front of voters in November have been reviewed, and an important aspect of the high school planning has become clear – the positive environmental impact of the new buildings.

As currently planned and sited, the new high school will actually mitigate impact to the wetlands at that site.  The current school sits squarely over some of the most vulnerable sections of the wetlands on that property,  and actually covers Silver Creek in places.

The new building, however, will be sited slightly to the west (think about where the tennis courts and parking lots are, now), pulling the school AWAY from the wetland, thereby significantly mitigating the impact to that sensitive area. In fact, included in the site planning and funding are plans to restore some of that watershed’s vegetation and improve stormwater management.

These facts are hugely important to the most common objection voiced to the Chestnut Street site. From what I now understand, not only shouldn’t wetlands impact be a primary concern there, the proposed mitigation should be considered a positive. 

We need a new high school. The current mid 20th century school buildings handicap teachers and students to prepare for a 21st century world. And they are physically decaying. We may well be able to build it for around 20¢ on the dollar. And it appears we can continue to improve our stormwater management and wetlands health in town, as we just did at the Golf Park. Taken together, this is a clear choice. Please vote yes to the bond on Nov. 7, for better schools for our kids and for our town.

Tony Morettini
Highland Road