The Belmont Conservation Commission — after tireless deliberations these past few months — voted unanimously to deny the O'Neill Uplands developer project for insufficient materials and storm water standards, and a number of other points that will be sent to the developer when the Commissioners have completed their renderings of the case.

Judging by previous behavior, the developer is likely to appeal, and it is not unlikely that a superseding order will be given by DEP in favor of the developer, but we do not know this for sure. Then the matter of the R&D may arise, as the developer has the permit for that. The town residents are critical components in order to be able to continue the awareness campaign.

The Civil Action suit by Little Pond plaintiffs is scheduled for early spring, so that there is a safety net. I feel that the excellent renderings of Horsley and Witten Co. along with 3 professional reports from the Plaintiffs' consultants are the ones who are highly responsible for the good outcome; but especially, the tenacity of the Commission has been remarkable.

Hopefully, those who have gone to these meetings or heard about them will write to the newspaper or an article for the Sierra Club. I am told that few have expressed his or her opinions in the last few months. Send your opinion and concerns and congratulations to the town of Belmont, who hired the Horsley and Witten team, and to the plaintiff's privately paid hydrology, sewer and ecological consultants for backing some of the findings of the Horsley and Witten team.