Greetings and an Update, March 08, 2024

Dear Supporters,

The Friends of Wakefield’s NEMT Forest was formed in May 2022 and is dedicated to preserving, studying, and educating the public about issues facing the (former) forest and the associated wetlands that remain. As we and you are well aware, terrible damage has already been done, but the Friends’ mission continues today to protect the remaining forested wetlands on the site. We support the “Ten Residents of Wakefield” in bringing an appeal that, if successful, could preserve and protect remaining wetland areas. The appeal asserts that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has not properly considered the scientific and technical evidence submitted by the citizens and an expert that the new school building project violates the state’s Wetlands Protection Act (WPA). We ask for you to contribute to us so that we may significantly increase support for the appeal.

An Update from the Ten Residents of Wakefield

Most of you know that on June 6, 2023, after nine months of intensive review and hearings, the Wakefield Conservation Commission (WCC) voted unanimously to deny the NEMT vocational school project based on the evidence that the project could not comply with the Wetlands Protection Act. The NEMT (Northeast Metro Tech) vocational school appealed the decision to the MassDEP, requesting that it overturn the Conservation Commission’s decision. Concurrently, the Ten Residents petitioned the MassDEP to uphold the Conservation Commission’s decision. Following MassDEP’s regulations, the Ten Residents submitted information and analyses from volunteer scientists and an expert consultant bolstering the Conservation Commission’s evidence that the proposed plan, as designed, violates the state’s Wetlands Protection Act (WPA). However, MassDEP’s subsequent Superseding Order of Conditions (SOC) overturned the Conservation Commission’s decision and did not refer to the evidence submitted by the citizens.

Knowing the level of permanent harm this project would cause to the wetlands and environment, on November 15th, 2023, the Ten Residents of Wakefield undertook the daunting task by appealing MassDEP’s SOC as: “numerous project deficiencies and permanent environmental damage to wetland resources were ignored, dismissed or not recognized...in a manner that does not contribute to the protection of the interests identified in the Wetlands Protection Act.”

The appeal asserts that the MassDEP has not properly considered the scientific and technical evidence submitted by the citizens and an expert that the new school building project violates the state’s Wetlands Protection Act (WPA). In response, the NEMT School District and its counsel, Julie Barry, filed a Motion to Dismiss. This Motion claimed that the Ten Residents’ Appeal had no merit and should be dismissed outright. If the Ten Residents group did nothing, the motion to dismiss would be approved, and that would put an end to the Appeal. NEMT could then proceed with the environmental destruction on the hilltop and begin construction of the new roadway through the forest and near wetlands.

On January 22, 2024, the Ten Residents group countered the Motion to Dismiss with facts and emphasized the MassDEP mission of protecting the environment with meaningful input from the public. On February 5th, 2024, at a Pre-Hearing before the Office of Appeals and Dispute Resolution (OADR), the Ten Residents, with Christine Rioux as their spokesperson, presented succinct arguments as to why the Appeal cannot be dismissed. At the end of the hearing, the Presiding Officer denied the school’s Motion to Dismiss; thus, the Ten Residents’ Appeal will continue forward toward a full hearing, scheduled to take place on May 9th, 2024.

The Ten Residents group is now working hard on this next phase of the Appeal – the demanding task of assembling witnesses and sworn testimonies and preparing for oral arguments. A final Decision is expected sometime in June.

MassDEP’s decision allowed the forest to be destroyed when it overruled the WCC, which had denied the project. The Ten Residents’ Appeal strives to require MassDEP to review and apply all applicable information from citizens and professionals, including citizen scientists, in its decision-making process in a way that is transparent, equitable and inclusive. This could very well have far-reaching and consequential impacts on future projects and how MassDEP conducts its evaluations!

Hard work and tenacity, as well as the facts, science-based evidence, and your support, have paid off! Thank you!

~ The Ten Residents group

Wakefield, MA

We hope you will continue to follow and support the courageous efforts of the Ten Residents of Wakefield, as we will do too. You can learn more about the Ten Residents’ administrative appeal of the MassDEP’s Superseding Order of Conditions, from the briefs (Citizens’ (“Petitioners’”) and NEMT’s (“Applicant’s”)) and a video of the proceedings (passcode: 6vXqmeN!).

Here’s what you can do:

In February, we (Friends of Wakefield’s NEMT Forest, doing business as “Save the Forest” (and Build the Voke"/Coalition")) were granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization status, which will allow us to receive grants from a donor-advised fund (if you, or a family member, or other “friend” has established one), or for you to make a personal donation and receive an acknowledgment of your tax-deductible gift.

Have legal experience?

If you have legal experience and would like to help with the research and assist the Ten Resident group as they prepare for the hearing in May, please contact us at advocacy@nemtforest.org. We will put you in touch with their leaders.

We urge you to consider contributing in one of the following ways:

Participate in our upcoming online “services and entertainment” auction, the first in a series. The series will include items and services, vintage pieces, and artwork. More details coming soon.

Donate through our GoFundMe. "Doing business as "Save the Forest" (and Build the Voke”/Coalition”)” as of February 2024, the Friends now receives donations directly from the Save the Forest and Build the Voke GoFundMe page. If you wish to receive a donation receipt for a donation you make through GoFundMe, please enter your contact information here. Once received, we will send you a letter acknowledging and thanking you for your donation.

Send donations by mail to:

Friends of Wakefield’s NEMT Forest (or “Save the Forest”)
P.O. Box 2013
Wakefield, MA 01880

Checks may be made to the “Friends of Wakefield’s NEMT Forest” or to “Save the Forest” (d/b/a: “doing business as”)

We are eternally grateful for your support and ask that you share the story of this forest with others who love natural places and care about protecting them.

We can do this together.

With Gratitude,

Kavita Karighattam, President

Friends of Wakefield’s NEMT Forest, Inc.

Stay Connected

Learn more: nemtforest.org

Twitter @nemtforest

Watch: The NEMT Forest Ecosystem

Read: The NEMT Forest Ecosystem

Donate via GoFundME here