Letter from Tim Storrow, Deputy Director of NEFF, June 26, 2002. This is an important change in NEFF's
position and local residents welcomed the change in attitude. However,  Gertrude Falby and NEFF are
still, as of July 3, entangled in a law suit and the suburbanization of the land in question has continued
unabated. Local residents want to see NEFF apply pressure to obtain a 'cooling off period' with a
a stop in construction so that good faith negotiations can take place. Feelings are very strong that once
septic construction is begun -- there seem to be immediate plans for this -- a point of no return will
have been reached.

Ron:

Thank you for contacting the New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) regarding Rocky Pond and the
tangle we are in with Mr.Sydow and Miss Falby.  I am writing this note as a follow up to our phone conversation
today.

You should be aware that new management has just recently taken hold at NEFF with Amos Eno as
Executive Director and myself as Deputy Director. We are playing “catch up” on a number of issues
facing the organization including the issue at hand.

NEFF is very interested in establishing a process and seeking an outcome that protects the character
of the pond, avoids protracted legal battles, and fulfills the spirit of Miss Falby’s original donation.
The past is the past, and what has been done hasbeen done, so the challenge is to find a way to move forward
that serves all of our mutual interests.

NEFF has made recent overtures to Mr. Sydow regarding the possible purchase of his two of building sites on
6.5 acres, and in that regard we commissioned an appraisal to help us understand the values. With the approvals
granted by the town for his developmentthe value of his property has dramatically increased.

We would like to explore with you and the other concerned parties a strategy for the protection of all or
a substantial portion of the Sydow property at a reasonable cost.  NEFF is also willing to explore granting a
permanent conservation easement held by a third party on the rest of the Falby Forest lands owned by NEFF.

We are taking immediate steps to discuss further with Mr. Sydow what his financial needs are.  After your me
eting with the neighbors, let’s plan on touching base with perhaps a follow up visit to the area by myself and a
meeting with the concerned parties.

Again, thank you for contacting us.

Tim Storrow
Deputy Director
New England Forestry Foundation
P.O. Box 27
450 West River Street
Orange, MA 01364
(978) 544-1514
(978) 544-1528 fax