To the editor:

The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) completed a survey for Lynnfield finding that open space and natural resources are some of Lynnfield’s greatest challenges. So why is the town putting in danger our most precious natural resource, Reedy Meadow? Shouldn’t our elected officials recognize what the townspeople have just voiced their opinion on and thus protect our greatest natural resource?

There was a lack of concern displayed at the Rails to Trails update on Feb. 26 to just do the job now! The proponents’ claim that they want to follow the Department of Environmental Protection’s Best Management Practices was shown to be lacking, at best. Pertinent information is available from the DEP to guide the town during these conversion projects, which you can read for yourself at: https://www.mass.gov › files › documents › 2016 › 08 › wm › railtrai.pdf .

This “document summarizes Best Management Practices (BMPs) that should be considered before, during, and after former railroad lines are converted to recreation trails. These BMPs have been developed to eliminate or minimize potential exposures to residual oil or hazardous materials commonly found along railroad rights-of-way being converted to rail trails. This document also identifies locations and conditions for which the application of BMPs alone may not be sufficiently protective of public health and the environment.”

The proponents stated that they will be in compliance with BMPs, but only committed to partial compliance with a paved cap along the existing railroad right-of-way with extra material placed along the sides. Well, that answer is welcome but does not tell the whole story. There are plenty of sections along the path that will need to be excavated, thus raising the possibility of exposure to contaminated soil.      

As warned by the DEP, it is the mere moving of material that raises concerns first to the demolition workers (clearing the brush; and removing the rails, ties, ballast, and debris) and construction workers (grading and shaping the trail; and creating, moving, and dissipating soil stockpiles).

The DEP also realizes that these activities affect adjacent residents (inhaling dust generated from the project; exploring the partially built trail; coming in contact with soil pushed onto their property, etc.) and damage environmentally sensitive areas and species.

The Select Board is well aware of these problems, as Town Administrator Bob Dolan stated, “Another issue is the idea of contamination. We all know that all railroads are contaminated. This is actually an environmental measure to cap that contamination, so this is a good thing”.

However, what about those areas that are not being capped? It is the excavation of soil that poses the highest risk and where is that work scheduled to happen? YES, in Reedy Meadow, which the United States Department of the Interior designated as a National Natural Landmark (NNL). Massachusetts has been blessed by having 11 of these 600 unique areas that exist throughout the U.S., with the next closest NNLs in Plymouth and Worcester. Reedy Meadow thus raises our status to such areas as the Grand Canyon, Lake George, Okefenokee Swamp, and Diamond Head, just to name a few.  

The drilling of supports for the boardwalk will bring contaminated soil to the surface, which according to the proponents will be spread along the sides, note their slides of past work showing remains all around the holes. The exact amount of how much contamination will be brought to the surface is not yet known, however hundreds of holes at a minimum of 4 feet and deeper required to get a solid footing is a lot of contaminated material to spread.  

Past work affecting the meadow has mostly been along the outskirts, where damage is minimized. The boardwalk is out in the meadow where effects can be devastating not only to our status as an NNL but to the other important assets of the meadow, such as the City of Lynn’s drinking water supply. So, as you can see, the boardwalk area is NOT “a complete cap” as claimed.

Other areas are potential sources of contaminated soil and environmental destruction:

Lynnfield Chemical Co, at the end of Kenniston Road on railroad tracks across from Pillings Pond, manufactured magnesium silicate.

Gerry’s Cider Mill received tons of apples at Center Station on Summer Street. Do you remember the funds Lynnfield was forced to spend twice to properly dispose of that arsenic at that cider mill?

Recall Newburyport, which found hazardous waste after doing due diligence in testing and being told these tests are just routine with only a check of the surface. At that time, Newburyport’s bill started at $250,000 and rapidly expanded as more contaminated soil was found, which the townspeople paid for and was not absorbed by the state.

NE Power continues to spray around the Partridge Island area, since they are exempt from conservation oversight.   

The railroad itself sprayed the entire tracks through the meadow and was sighted for improper spraying in the ‘90s. What was left on the ground? They created the problem, and now WE must clean it up? 

Such costs are NOT paid for by the TIP. Lynnfield is responsible for paying for the entire cleanup.

There were more disappointments from the Feb. 26 update which had been promised, but we knew all along these were false, for they were just a means to sell the project. The proponents early on asked what type of screening abutters desired, but despite documents specifying such screening, they are not being allowed. Recall the South Yarmouth bike path where the Select Board promised an 8-foot fence to protect the privacy of the neighborhood and deter would-be robbers from gaining easy access to their homes and to prevent bikes from cutting through backyards. After finishing the Rail Trail, the barriers were not built because they ran out of money. 

Barriers, fences, and screening should be built BEFORE construction begins. This will prevent hazardous contamination from spilling onto the abutter’s properties, deter access to robbers, keep construction workers from trespassing onto private property during construction, and minimize toxic dust from coming onto private property and being inhaled.

Sincerely,

Gill Giugliano