Reading a recent article in the Gardner News, it appears some members of the building committee may have slept during past meetings. Selectmen Haley Brooks could be one of them; Haley Brooks voiced concern about people flying up the road, going 50 mph. Well, when the traffic pattern was being discussed at a few meetings about the school, it was disclosed that Templeton police chief, fire chief and highway superintendent all were in favor of the traffic going up Wellington Road and coming down South Road, as they felt this the safest. Where was the concern for speed when this project was being sold? Perhaps too much cheer leading at that time rather than discussion of these concerns? Haley Brooks again concerned about lack of street lights, again, where was all this concern back last summer when the planning meetings were happening? Where was this concern at the November special town meeting vote for the school? Haley Brooks again concerned about the new playground at the current site, again, this was covered in past meetings, but if you have such great concerns, where were the questions at the town meeting? My first thought is either someone likes to see their name in the newspaper or after the project gets passed, with someone's very loud voice in support, suddenly wishes to be seen as a big champion of the local folks. My question is , where were these concerns during the planning phase of the project? Another item is not too long ago, there was a quote in the Gardner News from Haley Brooks, saying how the new Massachusetts DOT complete streets grant program was money that could fix up the streets around the new school so what is all the sudden worry now? The residents that are now raising all the fuss need to be asked the same questions; where were you during the planning phase? Where were you at special town meeting? Where were you at the ballot box? I notice not much concern voiced by Haley Brooks over the money being spent on many changes brought on by school personnel, so lets admit that the project passed, at least a million dollars has been spent on it so far and the project is going to be built and down the road, it will be a nice addition to the area. Does Haley Brooks think traffic will slow down if the new school is not built there? There does not seem to have been much concern for the lack of street lighting to date so why now? Either park to police officers there all day or the folks that drive those roads need to slow down because signs, lights and a couple of traffic bumps are not going to do the job. I would much rather have had my selectmen have a contract for 50 million dollars looked at by the Town's attorney rather than argue about street lights after the fact. Those are easily fixed, just have the Templeton Light department install street lighting after the school is built. As in people can see the night light generated by the building, then decide how bright they want their neighborhood to be at night in the future.

Jeff Bennett