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Community commenters press council on cement plant impacts, petitions and Franklin Park protection
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the Environmental Justice Council to act on petitions, highlight cumulative impacts from industrial facilities (including concerns about battery storage and PFAS), and to protect Franklin Park from development, noting ongoing communication gaps with the Office of Environmental Justice.
During the public comment period, several residents and community organizers urged the Environmental Justice Council to take action on longstanding local concerns, including an alleged expansion of a nearby cement plant, delays in petition and status processes, and the protection of Franklin Park from proposed development.
"My name is Kate Phelps, member of Franklin Park Defenders," Kate Phelps said, saying the group was asking the council to protect parkland and apply environmental justice guidelines to proposed projects that could affect the park. She requested that council members consider community processes before projects proceed.
A different commenter described chronic diesel smoke exposure, saying neighborhood children have asthma and neighbors have been diagnosed with lung cancer and other respiratory conditions; that commenter urged the council to recognize the neighborhood's health concerns and opposed further plant expansion.
Cristian, another commenter, said communities had submitted a petition for environmental justice status almost a year earlier and had not received clear guidance. Cristian raised broader cumulative-impact concerns, including battery storage and PFAS contamination, and said communication with the Office of Environmental Justice had been ongoing since January 2023 without sufficient follow-up.
Jordan asked when the office's annual Environmental Justice report would be released; staff asked Jordan to place contact information in chat for follow-up. Sarah Freeman of Jamaica Plain said Franklin Park is a valued community refuge and urged council consideration of its value in planning decisions.
Council staff acknowledged the comments, encouraged commenters to submit contact details for follow-up, and noted the council would hear public comment again later in the meeting. No formal actions or votes on the specific projects were taken during this session.
