Bedford Minuteman
Wednesday, July 16, 2003

History buff finds enlistment of National Trust in debate troubling

By James M. Coull / Guest Columnist

I was disappointed to learn of the enlistment of the National Trust in the NIMBY scuffle surrounding Bedford's Hanscom Field here in Massachusetts.

I have admired the work of the National Trust for years, and as a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust have made contributions to protect the Chancellorsville battlefield and others from ill-conceived development. I am also a board member of the Massachusetts Port Authority, founder of a business in Concord, and I participate in the Revolutionary War reenactments that are staged in the Minuteman National Historic Park. This country's history is dear to me and, as shown by my interests, it is something I take very seriously. Finally, as a former member of the U.S. Armed Services, I am very proud of this nation's past and I feel privileged to honor it.

Having participated in Revolutionary War reenactments on the hallowed ground now preserved within and around the Minuteman National Historic Park, I take umbrage at the misuse of the park as a pawn in the local effort to shut down Hanscom Field. I am embarrassed that the National Trust has been hoodwinked into believing a tale of unabashed misinformation and deception.

Our park welcomes more than 1 million visitors a year and grows more popular every year. In the almost 20 years that I have worked in Concord, I have witnessed the number of tourist buses increase and noticed as the park's parking lots fill with increasingly more vehicles. Over the span of those years, I have seen more cars on the roads and new homes and offices built. And I agree that the area has become more busy, more crowded and more noisy. But a simple fact remains: It is not coming from the airport.

I have stood at the Bloody Angle and I can tell you from first hand experience what does impact our historic areas and monuments. It is the massive amount of office and housing development that the towns have built around the park. In fact, after the park recently cut down a grouping of trees and removed a view shed, the parking lot of the Lincoln North office building was revealed. An active parking lot is now visible from the historic Bloody Angle! As someone who loves the park very much, I find this disturbing.

Other office developments, such as Concord Farms and Cranberry Hill, sit close to the park and unleash torrents of vehicles onto the Battle Road every rush hour. Yet, a detailed analysis showed that only 4 percent of the traffic on Battle Road is generated by Hanscom Field during the peak hour.

All of this begs the question: Why is the National Trust going after a facility that is such a small percentage of the less than 5 percent of the problem?

Over the last few decades, area towns have permitted more than 10 million square feet of office development to occur. If a finger must be pointed should be pointed at a culprit for threatening the historic nature of the area, it should be pointed at the local leaders who allowed the region to lose its rural flavor and become a congested residential and commercial center.

If the National Trust really wants to protect the area, wants to point a finger, it should research the real cause of the tremendous growth of the last 10 to 20 years. It also might want to and look into the fact that a part of Bedford near the park was recently declared an Economic Target Area (ETA). The intent is to attract additional high-tech companies.

Who invites and lures corporations and then complains about corporate jets?

Pilots, airlines and cargo carriers do not choose Hanscom Field because they prefer its runways or simply wish to visit a Massport facility. Hanscom Field is chosen because of what is nearby. Hanscom Field provides easy access to a busy and profitable region full of residents and business people who travel a great deal. Typically, an airport only reflects the activity around it.

We spent more than $1 million this year looking at potential environmental impacts of the airport this year. By hiring top experts and consultants, we have reassured community residents about the airport and its affect on neighbors, the park, and the local quality of life.

Where are the comprehensive environmental studies or mitigation by the Minuteman National Historic Park, the municipalities or the long list of developers?

I am saddened that an airport that was created to help us win World War II, and one that and has declined in activity over the past 30 years has been arbitrarily singled out by a prestigious organization like the National Trust. It is my sincere hope that it continues its good work and upholds its good reputation by reconsidering the designation of blame assigned to Hanscom Field. A look at the facts shows the folly of their present position..

James M. Coull is a resident of Junction Square Drive, Concord.

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