Ashland, Framingham, which to choose?

[Eric H.]

I think it is quite unkind of you to state, "are you just a yahoo with lots of time to google all day.......that's what I thought." I think this type of response says a lot more about you than it says about me. My intentions were pure and honest. I am saddened by the lack of civility you displayed.

I am a hard-working, ambitious professional who is committed to excellence in all phases of life. Part of my make-up is being inquisitive. I always want to learn things and never come out of a day without gaining new knowledge.

I am not a government employee, a bureaucrat or a biologist. I am a journalist and public affairs specialist by trade with 25-plus years of experience. Most importantly, I put others before myself and that is what I intended to do here by bringing up an issue that they might not have known about. Perhaps other readers might just have a different take than you when considering moving to a town?

In my opinion, a good home for children would also include a clean environment. My intent was to inform someone interested in moving to a good home to consider the community and its past. Is that so wrong?

I think your statement of "continued studies of biological effects," suggests not all is known about the area? Please correct me if I am wrong.

Also, let's set the record straight on Superfund sites not being taken off the list. They are. You can read about it here at the EPA Web Site: How Sites are Deleted from the NPL | Superfund | US EPA

I expect some civil interaction here. Being mean-spirited undermines the efficacy of this board. Trading opinions and educating each other on what we know and think fosters a healthier forum here, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by NY'er lost in MA

The topic is not about superfunds- the OP asked about comparing the two towns based on schools and a good home for their children. They moved to Ashland back in April. So I don't agree to randomly posting a link to an event that is: 1) not related to the question 2) a subject that you are not familiar with.

Are you from Ashland? Are you a government employee that deals with superfunds? Are you a biologist? Or more likely- are you just a yahoo with lots of time to google all day.......that's what I thought.

Nyanza was part of my family's decision to come to Ashland- but after researching it thoroughly we decided it wasn't a factor and here's why:

The cleanup was actually completed in 1992

The Sudbury River flows towards Framingham; mercury was actually flowing towards other towns

Ashland's water supply is solely from the Hopkinton Reservoir (upstream from Nyanza)

Nyanza in recent news has been related to residents in the immediate superfund area (basement mitigation installations) and continued studies of biological effects.

Once a superfund site is listed it is not taken off the list- it remains as public information.

Tests will continue for years (a good thing)

There is no risk of exposure to harmful chemicals for residents unless one would be foolish enough to fish/drink water in restricted areas.

So that is all I have- let's be clear about facts and issues before posting. Thank you.

[CaseyB]

C'mon guys, cut it out. The thread is 6 months old, and the OP decided on Ashland. It sounds like they were aware of the superfund site, anyway.

[NY'er lost in MA]

The purpose of my strong remarks were to set the record straight. Rightly so being I am an Ashland resident. And as Casey mentions- the OP did decide on Ashland months and months ago.

Superfund sites are deleted but they are still listed on the EPA site.

Sorry you feel it was a mean spirited attack but you really need to understand repercussions of posting about a subject you are not familiar with. You would not be happy if I posted regarding journalism or public affairs and you saw plenty of room for errors or having correct facts stated.

That's all I have to say.