Edison, Residents Contest Med Plant In Superior Court

Harvard went to court and to the federal government last week to insure the construction of $100 million in projects in the area surrounding the Medical School.

Last Thursday representatives from Boston Edison and Residents United to Stop Harvard, a Mission Hill-based community group, took preliminary legal steps in Suffolk County Superior Court to block construction of the Medical Area total energy power plant.

The two plaintiffs urged that Judge John McNaught consider the potential ill effects of construction of the power plant, and they requested that they be granted "aggrieved party" status.

If McNaught rules that the residents and Edison, the current electrical supplier in the Med School Area, have just cause, they will be allowed to contest the state's decision late last year to approve construction of the project.

'Perfectly Clear'

Robert W. Meserve, Harvard's attorney for legal affairs concerning the power plant, represented the University in court Thursday. The next day he said, "It is perfectly clear that Edison is trying to maintain its business position and prevent Harvard from going forward in a particular way to replace Edison's facilities."

Meserve added that Harvard is prepared to go to the State Supreme Court over the matter, if necessary.

On Friday the University paid an $825,000 non-returnable filing fee to the Government National Mortgage Association as part of an application for a $42 million mortgage for the Mission Park Housing Project.

Harvard Gambles

The University is gambling on the federal backing because the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, which originally committed itself to supporting the housing project, has been unable to sell short term notes for the project.

"We're making a commitment not to consume all the state's good faith and credit," Donald C. Moulton, assistant vice president for community affairs, said Friday about the decision to apply for a federal mortgage.

The $825,000 comes out of an advanced loan that the University has set aside to get the 774-unit mixed-income development going.

Harvard officials have said the power plant could save them millions of dollars in electricity, steam, and chilled water bills.