As we get closer to the Town elections, it has become very difficult to stay above the horrific rhetoric by those candidates using the HLWA as a rallying point for their anger. During the past few weeks we have heard on the Public Access Channel the allegations that the HLWA is trying to take over the Town, there are four members of the HLWA on the Inlands Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, (IWWC) the HLWA is against the Aurora Estates developments, and the HLWA has spent $20,000 to $30,000 in legal fees to “fight” the Aurora Estates developments. However you classify these statements as rumors, innuendos or even if you believe they are true, the simple matter is they are erroneous.

Members of the HLWA Board of Directors have attended every IWWC and Planning & Zoning hearing and made our position on the Highland Ridge/St. Anne’s Golf Course very clear. At these meetings we had our limnologist and our legal representative suggest alternate solutions to those concerns they raised regarding the protection of the Highland Lake Watershed. We have also continued to present our views in the HLWA newsletters.

Simply stated, we are not opposed to the Highland Ridge/ St. Anne’s Golf Course development if it is done correctly and the lake is protected. We have some serious doubts the applicant can build the golf course as he has stated and hope he will eventually decide an experienced golf course contracting company is better suited to build the course on this sensitive piece of land. We are also concerned over the bonding issue, the enforcement issue, and, as stated in the article on the Aurora Rosa developments in this issue, we also are concerned with negotiated IWWC conditions.

The Aurora Estates development at the southern edge of town has been delayed, and we are waiting for the new application. The previous application had very little impact on the watershed and we have made minimal comment regarding this project up to this point in time. However, we have expressed our concern with the effect of affordable housing on the Town of Winchester and questioned whether it is in the Town’s best interests to locate such a large number of residents at the southernmost point of town.

We expect the rhetoric will increase as we get closer to the election, and the HLWA will probably be blamed for additional problems facing the Town. If you have any questions regarding the validity of these issues, please call me or any member of the Board of Directors, and we will provide a clear response to your concerns.