Aerial photos of the four-plus acres that are deed-restricted, and which include the area designated as “Center Park” in 1978, are illustrative of a couple of things. First, they show that Center Fire station can indeed be expanded if desired. It can be extended in the back, or knocked down completely and rebuilt larger in multiple dimensions if preferred. Unfortunately, the photos also show that the parking which was utilized by the fire department staff in the back has been usurped by the Eliopoulos Edifice.

The most breathtaking thing that these photos show, though, is this: Center Park was about the size of the Town Common. It is now completely obliterated. The remaining green space by the pond is smaller than the lawn area of the Emerson House.

I challenge any of the selectmen, who refuse to bring the preservation restrictions into Land Court on our behalf, to point to the “openspace conservation area” mandated by the preservation restrictions. I challenge them to point to the “public park” required by the deed. I further challenge them to explain how the construction of the Eliopoulos Edifice “improved neighborhood aesthetics” as required by the restrictions, or explain how this structure is “small” and “barn-like,” since it clearly dwarfs both the fire station and the bank’s own small, barn-like structure which acts as the drive-through for its customers.

I will share any responses with you as interested residents.

Yours truly,

Roland Van Liew