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Residents and local officials urge state help with concrete plant, PFAS and Franklin Park concerns
Summary
During public comment at the Environmental Justice Council meeting, Taunton residents asked for state support against a concrete batch plant expansion, Westfield officials raised PFAS and petition-process worries, and neighborhood groups urged protection of Franklin Park amid development plans.
Several residents and local officials used the Environmental Justice Council's public‑comment periods to press the state on local health and land‑use issues, asking for clearer processes and state support.
Catherine Rodriguez, speaking for a Taunton neighborhood she described as an EJ zone, said trucks, diesel fumes and dust from a nearby concrete batch plant threaten residents' health. "Our kids have asthma," Rodriguez said, describing elderly and disabled housing across the street and a long history of local meetings that have produced no relief. She asked whether the council could offer a short acknowledgement or statement of support ahead of a Taunton ZBA hearing on Feb. 26.
Westfield City Councilor Kristen Mello urged action on petition procedures and on cumulative impact analysis (CIA). Mello said her city submitted an EJ petition almost a year ago with no clear guidance and said Westfield has an ongoing PFAS contamination issue affecting roughly 41,000 people. "We are very susceptible to more PFAS contamination," she said, and asked the council to address petition and CIA procedures before related regulations take effect.
Community advocates from Boston urged state attention to Franklin Park, where groups oppose large-scale development on land once proposed for Shattuck Hospital. "Let's protect what we've got," said Kate Phelps of the Franklin Park Defenders, announcing an upcoming community meeting. Sarah Freeman of Jamaica Plain also raised questions about siting a professional soccer stadium in or near parkland.
Council staff acknowledged the petition process exists but said they have not yet finalized procedures and plan to return with a draft at the April meeting in Orange. The council also heard a question about the timeline for the annual EJ report; staff said they would follow up with the questioner and noted a climate 'report card' would be released the following day with interim technical benchmarks.
Votes at a glance: The council approved minutes from meeting No. 23 following a motion by Melissa Ferretti and a second by Patricia Spence; the minutes were accepted with sufficient votes and multiple abstentions recorded. The meeting later adjourned by roll call with 13 members present.
