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Residents urge careful review of MassDOT EIS and call for better town engagement
Summary
During public comment residents urged the board to scrutinize the forthcoming federal environmental impact statement for the Bourne Bridge project and asked the board to create more formal venues for sustained community engagement on the Bridges Project.
Residents used the public-comment period at the Aug. 4 meeting to press the select board on two themes: careful review of the federal environmental impact statement for the Sagamore/Bourne Bridge project and better mechanisms to funnel community interest into the town decision-making process.
John York told the board he stood at the bridge and was "anxiously awaiting the final environmental impact statement" and criticized how MassDOT had treated commenters who requested improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities. He urged the board to read the EIS carefully and assess whether MassDOT addressed requests to improve bike/ped facilities.
Peter Murner asked the board to create a more formal, outside-the-meeting venue so residents who want to be part of larger conversations—including local, state and federal projects—have an organized way to participate. He cited high engagement on social media and turnout at a recent meeting as evidence that residents will participate if given an accessible forum.
Why it matters: public input is shaping the town's approach to MassDOT and the bridge project; the board's response and the content of any formal comment letter to MassDOT will influence how the town's concerns are recorded and considered.
