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Sudbury is one step closer to completing a 44-acre Rorschach test following a well-attended public input session for the Liberty Ledge/Sewataro Advisory Committee’s (LLSAC) draft report to the Sudbury Select Board. The October 8 meeting took place in the Fairbank Community Center and virtually.
During the meeting, the members of the LLSAC read each recommendation in their report, and took comments from the public. The sentiment seemed to be general satisfaction with the report overall; and the committee was repeatedly complimented for their work. The tone was a complete 180 from the summer months when the motives and independence of committee members were repeatedly attacked on social media by camp advocates.
Key issues raised by public commenters included:
- Broad opposition to housing being developed on the property (None is recommended in the report)
- Strong support for continuing with the camp and adding more complimentary public programming (That’s recommended in the report)
- Debate about the financial performance of the camp operation relative to the acquisition costs
- Comments calling for Sudbury campers to get priority access for camp enrollment (This is recommended in the report)
- Concerns about protecting natural resources on the property (Also recommended in the report)
Much of the constructive criticism was focused on the details and word-smithing.
Residents did send some mixed messages. One opposed housing development, but also supported a long-term contract so the camp operator could develop a four-season structure on the property. Other camp supporters called for no development of any kind, and emphasized preservation of natural resources.
The draft report is below.
Yet for all the meetings, public comment and heartfelt thanks, one key stakeholder has been left out of the conversation entirely. Residents have weighed in. Committee members have weighed in. Yard signs have weighed in. But according to sources, not one person has stopped to ask the property itself what it wants for its own future.
So we did. Here’s what the property had to say for itself:
“I’ve been here 400 million years,” said Liberty Ledge. “I’ve seen glaciers come and go. I’ll see this report come and go. Take your time.”
The report’s lone housing recommendation calls for converting the one existing home at 213 Haynes Road into one affordable single-family residence. Reached for comment, the house said it was “just trying to be a house” and asked that its privacy be respected during this difficult time. It added “Honestly, I thought I already was one.”
“Fewer hammocks,” said a pine tree near the rock climbing wall, declining to elaborate.
Some of the equipment was already settling into some rest and relaxation during the offseason. “It’s been a big summer,” said a kayak, noting it had been tipped over by campers more than 4,000 times since June and was simply glad to be discussed while on land.
The swimming pond, cited in the draft report as one of the ecological resources the town should “enhance and restore,” has emerged as a frontrunner for the most-mentioned body of water in Sudbury public comment history, narrowly edging out the Atkinson Pool. “Everyone keeps saying they want to protect me,” said the swimming pond. “That’s very sweet. What I actually want is for somebody to fish out the band-aids.”
There’s quite a bit of infrastructure on the property, too, but it’s often overlooked. “Nobody thinks about me,” said the access road. “Everyone wants to talk about what happens on the property. I’m the reason anyone gets there. And yes, I’d love one of those entrance signs the report mentioned. People keep driving right past me.”
The LLSAC will regroup to factor in the public input, then submit a final report by the end of the month.