"The parcel has been a passive, open space for over 40 years. It should stay that way."
Maybe so. But bear in mind that Tony Fiorentino's point is that "the parcel has been a Clinton-owned resource for over 40 years -- it should stay that way."
As far as Sterling residents are concerned, Wekepeke has been "dormant." But in Clinton that's now how they view it. You say "dormant," Clinton says "held in reserve."
The issue still revolves around the definition of "resource." Fiorentino appears to define resource as something to make money for the town. Others (including others in Clinton and most in Sterling) would see the Wekepeke as a "resource" in the same way they saw the Rauscher as a "resource": a parcel worth preserving for the community, not exploiting.
If the concern is whether or not Clinton can hold the Wekepeke "in reserve" in case they need it as an emergency water source, then there should be no debate.
For all that, it seems like the majority of the Clinton board doesn't have the stomach for another fight.
Remember that Clinton's insatiable lust for exploitation was prompted by some very real, very expensive repairs being mandated on that site. I think the high-minded opposition to moneymaking at Wekepeke too often fails to recognize that "leaving it as it is" comes with a monetary price, and neighbors are asking for Clinton taxpayers to foot the bill for open space in Sterling. Which may be fair -- Clinton would still own surface water rights -- but needs to be acknowledged.
I think it has been acknowledged. It's too bad the economy decided to collapse when it did because Hank Naughton had secured the funding to start work on the repairs.
The best thing would be for the selectmen of both towns to renounce the Wekepeke as a revenue source and work together to fund the repairs. Sterling could pitch in for repairs in return for a Clinton guarantee of no development.
Maybe the towns could together petition Olver, McGovern, Kerry, Kennedy and the Obama administration for the $1.5 million to repair the dams. They have repeatedly said they are looking for "shovel-ready" projects to spend the stimulus money on.
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