To the editor:
As an abutter to the proposed Glover development in Swampscott/Marblehead, I attended the meeting of the Swampscott Planning Board on Monday, Sept. 14.
Yes, it is in my backyard, but regardless of how you feel about the project I wanted to note some of my observations about the way that the developer is behaving and their attempts to “sell” a “bill of goods” to our communities.
Attorney D’Ambrosio (representing the developer) implied that traffic would not be a problem because residents of the project would largely be young people and that young people nowadays take Uber and the train.
Attorney Schutzer (representing the developer) asked the board to approve the project quickly because they want to break ground before the winter freeze. Does he not realize that Marblehead has to approve this plan as well as Swampcott?
D’Ambrosio told the board that perhaps the reason that the project has not been approved previously may be the town’s fault. Does he not think that perhaps the project has not been thoroughly planned and thought out by the developer?
I could go on and on, but again people in this community should know that there are serious issues with this development that will affect our daily lives that have not been addressed as part of the planning. These include the effect of traffic on already-crowded Salem and Vinnin/Tedesco streets and Vinnin Square in general. Access by emergency vehicles, the effect of construction, soil testing, delivery vehicles, etc. are just a few.
I am not against development and we do need additional housing, however any new development has to be carefully planned and thoroughly thought out with input from the community.
I would like to urge people in our community to attend future meetings of both the Swampscott and Marblehead planning boards to listen and to provide feedback.
Ken Maas
Tedesco Pond Place
