A recent local newspaper editorial described politics in Winchester as a “blood sport.” After the last few weeks, the rhetoric on our local public access cable channel validates this description; politics in Winchester seem to be wallowing in mud during this campaign. The Highland Lake Watershed Association (HLWA) has tried to stay out of the fray, but candidates on recent cable TV shows have made accusations against the HLWA that require our response.

During the last few months the HLWA has been accused of trying to load the commissions in town with its members. There are two members of the HLWA on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. There are none on the Planning and Zoning Commission. It hardly seems we are trying to influence these commissions. We have no plan to do so in the future.

We have also heard the HLWA was against the Aurora Rosa developments and candidates frequently used the word “Antis” to describe the HLWA membership. If they had read our Newsletter and attended some of the IWWC and P&Z meetings, they would realize we have frequently stated the HLWA is in favor of the developments as long as they are constructed in such a manner that the Town of Winchester and the Highland Lake Watershed are not harmed. As an example of our consistent position regarding the Aurora Rosa Development, Mr. Fran Delaney as President of the HLWA stated in the Spring 2006 HLWA Newsletter.

“We have struggled over the past few months with allegations we are being obstructionists, opposed to all development, and attempting to block projects in the ‘economic’ interests of the Town. Our response to those individuals has been and continues to be that our commitment is to the bylaws and mission statement of the Association, ‘to protect and preserve the watershed of the lake.’ Our interest, on behalf of our membership as well as the balance of lake residents and stakeholders is to maintain a presence and act as watch-keepers, assuring development that occurs is done in a sensitive and ecologically friendly manner. “

We continue to struggle with these allegations despite the fact that the HLWA Board of Directors has been consistent in maintaining the same position. As current President, I wrote in the fall 2007 edition of the Highland Lake News “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.”

It is only natural that the HLWA is concerned that the largest development in the History of Winchester, more than 700 housing units and a golf course and on a steep hill adjacent to Highland Lake, could prove harmful to the Watershed. Highland Lake is aging and is very sensitive to any natural or unnatural pollution. Minor changes in the watershed could have serious consequences for Highland Lake. If the HLWA and the residents of the lake don’t take care of Highland Lake, who will?

The HLWA has officially stated we are opposed to the development on Platt Hill and have taken a legal adversarial position since we believe this development may prove a greater risk to the Highland Lake Watershed than the Aurora Rosa developments. We have not taken a negative position legally or otherwise against either of the Aurora Rosa developments.

There have been individual HLWA members who are opposed to the Aurora Rosa Development; however they are not on the Board of Directors and have spoken out at some of the public hearings against some of the aspects of the project. I happen to know one is a Republican and I haven’t heard of any complaints that the Republican Party is made up of “Antis.”

On his recent TV show, Unaffiliated candidate Jay Budahazy and developer Anthony Silano picked up the same theme - the HLWA was against the Aurora Rosa development; they implied that the HLWA position against the developments had delayed the start of construction and was responsible for delaying huge revenues to the Town. Mr. Silano also repeated the claim that the HLWA was attempting to load the commissions with HLWA members. These comments are false.

After attending almost all of the IWWC and P&Z meetings that involved the Aurora Rosa developments, it would be my conclusion that this very large development required a lengthy application process by its very nature, and if there is any blame for a delay, it would be due to the lack of information on the initial application and subsequent changes made by the developer.

An interesting question occurred on this same TV show when Mr. Silano stated “maybe” he would build the golf course and that he had “done it before.” We would like to know from Mr. Silano or Mr. Budahazy where and when Mr. Silano had previously built a golf course. This information would go a long way to alleviate our concerns about the construction of the golf course by Mr. Silano.

It seems a shame that many of the candidates have had problems putting forth any specific proposals or plans that their party will endorse but have been using clichés such as better communication, better cooperation etc. After these vague descriptions become rather boring these same candidates have turned to name calling such as “Anti’s” and taking cheap, low shots at the HLWA. I would hope that in the future the candidates will take the “high road” and keep to the discussions for specific solutions to the many problems facing Winchester and stop the name calling.

Many of the political parties have expressed concerns that they have not been able to provide candidates for many of their positions on their slates for this election. We believe this political rhetoric is responsible for this lack of interested candidates. Why should anyone volunteering to run for office have to put up with such abuse? Not only does “blood sport” politics keep excellent candidates from running for office, it is an embarrassment for Winchester.

Dick Labich, President HLWA
HLWA Board of Directors