These notes were compiled live during the community input meeting hosted by the rec department on their fernald plan. I believe they are as fully representative of all comments given at the meeting as I was able to be. These were originally compiled on an internal messaging board for Boston DSA. There are typos etc in this stuff because I was typing live. Sorry if I butchered anyone’s name.

Transcript of slack messages follows in order:

Starting timestamp: 6:03PM

1. Taking notes on the Fernald rec department meeting
2. NESRA engineering doing consulting. I don't recall hearing this was going out to bid for any kind of design work.
3. The design work will be limited to the field
4. Jumping right into the questions
5. Colin Killick, executive director of a disability advocacy group opens up by pointing out that crimes against humanity occurred here
6. Stacy, a Waltham resident, proposes the space be used as a giant wellness complex. She brings up addiction recovery
7. Janice Doneski brings up that soil contamination could prevent farming at the facility.
8. Jennifer Halvorson mentions in the chat that she supports colin. Tracey Seier, Shayna C, Katherine Anderson, Tammy Cristina Rose, support colin too
9. Patricia speaks up to express traffic concerns
10. Lionel Goulet speaks up in favor of leaving the property untouched and leaving it fallow. He appreciates the re-introduction of wetlands. Doesnt' see the need for something to be built.
11. Rex Baker worries about the work being done to a park impact the abilities to use the building as desired.
12. Rex echos Lionel's points.
13. the rec department apparently has been given 119 acres of the property. the total acerage is 170. That's a LOT
14. Allegra Atkinson can't fathom using it in a recreational way without a truth and reconciliation process first
15. Carrie Fraga writes "I live in the neighborhood accross from this property and would love to see the sledding hill opened up again and paths for people to walk and bike around the property"
16. Allegra suggests an adaptive park and handicap accessible park, carrie agrees
17. DSA member Josh Kastrof says this conversation is not appropriate and the rec department is jumping the gun without dealing with the justice question
18. "Laura Heath-Stout6:28 PM

1. Yes, I agree Josh!
2. Tracey Goodwin6:28 PM
3. 100% agree Josh.
4. Katherine Anderson6:29 PM
5. Agreed
6. Lionel Goulet6:29 PM
7. Good point about doing the reverence for the past part first.
8. Jeff Holmes6:29 PM
9. Agreed Josh. Very well said."

19. Bryan Parcival brings up the parcel definition question for this meeting. I took a screenshot. Apparently one of the first playgrounds in the US is on Fernald but it's not in the area being discussed
20. Carrie Fraga speaks up on the microphone. wants what she said above
21. Salvatore LaRussa questions the interface this project will have with the property. Talks about separating the site of atrocity from the memorial
22. Katherine Anderson talks about a project in her town where they left signposts on accessible walking trails. Belchertown is the town she is from.
23. Mary Coughlan talks about some letter. I'm not sure what she's talking about and other people don't appear to know either. Her mic keeps cutting out.
24. MArtha Creedon suggests that Darcy's resolution be forwarded to the planning comittee
25. Diana Young talks about a specific part of the park once being considered a historic landscape. She would like to see it restored.
26. Susan Link voices concerns that the ideas won't be taken into account tonight. She's worried only things that generate money will be considered
27. Katherine Anderson types "The Friends would like to help with fundraising"
28. Jeff says he wants to echo the comments about respectfully using the land based on the history of the site
29. Garret + Jane Vandermolen speak up. They mention the existing plan from the fernald use project from 20 years ago. Says leaving it as an open space is a valid option but wants something done.
30. Emily Szczypek calls for pollinator space
31. Janice Doneski asks if an assessment for what the recreational needs of the community is. Asks for it to be published
32. Tammy Cristina Rose types "Is there any way we can get a guarantee that the space will not be used for objectional purposes-like last year's "Christmas Lights Show"?"
33. Bryan Parcival worked on the historical photographing project. Notes that a majority of the site is not on the parks or rec portion. Notes one specific building where abuse did take place.
34. Bryan sounds like an expert and a cool person. We should get in touch with him.
35. Notes that there could potentially be a graveyard on site.
36. KAtherine Anderson asks Bryan to get in touch with her
37. Carrie Fraga and Christina Curtin want a 5k
38. Someonme with a weird name is calling for a building cleanup
39. Betty MacKenzie speaks to the importance of recognizing the damage done there, and recognizing the importance of connected green space.
40. Emily Horton-Hall who lives on Marlborough rd. says that representatives from the disability community be involved with the discussion. She lives nearby and wants to be able to walk to the property.
41. Marc Rudnick from the Waltham Land Trust talks about the extension of the western greenway into the property
42. meeting appears to be ending early
43. about 100 people appeared to be in attendance although people were dropping in and out.
44. Dee Arsen writes:  I hope that you research the context of the space as it relates to the adjacent spaces including Lawrence Meadows, the Waltham Field Station, the Girl Scouts, Beaver Brook,  and the property links along the Western Greenway. Fernald is a center piece of so much open space. It needs to be understood as a link, both as connected, but also geologically and historically. Any uses should be designed with that perspective. Fernald’s wetlands, the local hilly ridges and it’s natural borders are

Ending timestamp: 7:13 PM