To the Editor:

Concerning the 0.86 acres called High Meadow as a possible memorial site,  I have questions:

Could this spot be a good educational source to honor the teacher and student victims?

Have Newtowners viewed Holcombe Hill to see an example of a true meadow? A true meadow is what the High Meadow could be with an abundance of native plant species, which in turn provide food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife.

Part of this project, could restore the hayed fields to true meadows. I don't think this fact is well un-derstood.

Accessibility is an issue. I urge the commission and our consultants to come up with a path system that would accommodate those who can't walk easily while making the access have the least environ-mental/spatial impact possible.

We need experts to pore over maps showing existing grades, experts qualified to say whether just add-ing a new pedestrian path would permit access to those who can't walk easily or far.

I know that the Memorial Commission and the Conservation Commission are working together to-ward a solution that is low-impact and responsive to community concerns. This was stated publicly by the new CC chair at the last memorial commission meeting last Thursday, February 11.

Could we allow this spot to have winding paths in the meadow?

Could people learn how meadows work and of their importance by reading 26 signs along the path?

Could it be done without having further roads into it?

Do we really need lights? If so, could the lights that mark the trail into the memorial be motion sensi-tive and point to the ground so as not to confuse birds and night critters? If we do decide on lights, could they be solar powered?

How would this spot serve the town best?

Sincerely,

Patricia Barkman

49 Taunton Lake Road, Newtown     February 17, 2016