Protect the Partrick Wetlands
and our Community

Let the Whole Record Speak Letter to the Editor

The Partrick Wetlands are about to be handed a death sentence on a technicality. The Conservation Commission is about to act on only half of the facts and half of the truth.

How can any Westport resident feel comfortable knowing that the system has broken down? That information submitted in two public hearings, that struck fear in the developers ARS, won't be used in the coming decision. How can something as important as protecting a wetland habitat and open space be decided without every issue being considered and weighed?

ARS submitted a second application for development and after public hearings the commission seemed ready to make a far more conservative and protective decision. ARS seeing the writing on the wall withdrew that application in favor of a first less informed and effective decision. The information heard in those hearings is now inadmissable in the process.

Issues like aquifer and well water contamination, unworkable and unenforceable deed restrictions, harmful impacts on the wetland habitat, and the need for protection of upland will be ignored. Conditions the commission was going to impose on the development, such as limited or no blasting, won't be instituted due to the same jaundiced rules.

This is not a game, the wetland ecosystem, the health of the neighborhood and the soul of Westport hangs in the balance. No one should stand for this manipulation of the system at the expense of something so precious and irreplaceable.

We ask the Conservation Commission to stand tall and disallow this plan. We ask our elected officials step up and aid the commission in doing the right thing. We ask all Westport citizens to help save this wetland and open space from this complete injustice.

Matthew Mandell
Director, Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund Inc.
www.savewestport.com