City Council meeting went well tonight with 13 speakers. The Resolution noting 7 previous ones on the need to preserve this rare Belmont and Cambridge forest was passed with an amendment asking that the Commission have a full hearing with Belmont and Arlington before any decisions are made and that the City Manager must get back to the City Councilors on talking about the Resolution to the Commission.

If you or someone you know would like to show support for the silver maple forest in Wilmington, we are making provisions for people to come to the trial of the trees. This compelling issue for all who live in Cambridge, Belmont and Arlington will give everyone a sense of the threats to our open spaces everywhere. The Sierran of Sierra Club (not available on web yet) this month has an excellent article about the intense threat to the forest with a photo of Dave Brown's wildlife walk. We encourage all those who have feelings about this matter to express them in a letter to the editor.

Dear supporters of preserving the Silver Maple Forest. A week from Tuesday, the Belmont Conservation Commission will be Arguing their case against giving developers rights to remove the silver maple forest in front of the DEP Adjudicatory Hearing in Wilmington .Ma. near Reading. Interveners in the case include noted wetlands and wildlife habitat consultants and storm water consultant for the Belmont Commission. We know that the judges pay attention to attendees, their numbers and seriousness. There will be carpooling from 2 o r 3 locations at 7:30am March 10th on Tuesday. One of the cars will leave from Porter Square. Another from Harvard or Central Square.

Please let us know if you will need a ride. We are asking people to come who have followed the case and made some contribution to its success. Others who are sympathetic and would like to follow the proceedings are welcome to drive up. Call Friends of Alewife Reservation at 617 415-1884.

TRIAL OF SILVER MAPLE FOREST
Coalition to Preserve Belmont Uplands and Winn Brook Neighborhood verses Acorn Park Residences AP LLP
March 10: DEP HEARINGS
*The Belmont Conservation Commission appeal hearing with Interverers, including FAR, is on March 10 at the DEP Regional Office on 205B Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA beginning at 9:00 am. Call 617415-1884 for more precise information.