HomeMy Public PortalAbout20141119 - Open Space Preservation Commission - Minutes
Open Space Commission
November 19, 2014 Minutes
Attendees:
Jeff Doherty
Nancy Peters
John Ferrari
Ed Harrow
John Mosher
Guests:
David Goldman
Tom Pratt,
Maryann Bilodeau
Susan Bush
Chris Senie
Bob Falcioni
Gail Clifford
Jeff Furber
Call to order at 7:09 p.m.
Agenda: Purpose to vote to move land purchases to CPC, Yes/No
203 Pond St.
Pratt Farm
203 Pond St.
Mr. Goldman presented an overview using slides. He informed OS that there are currently six
groups in the “Alliance” organization to purchase the property for open space. The land serves as a
connector between Upton State Forest and Whitehall State Part as well as five other contiguous
parcels of land going all the way to Wood St. It is important as a connector and it also protects our
watershed. This property is listed as the number one priority piece of land for conservation in the
first Open Space and Recreation Study done for the Town. Only fifty feet would be available as the
connector if the land were developed. Mr. Goodman suggested that one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars may be offered by DCR, Seventy thousand is committed to by the Alliance, and
there may be some reduction to incidental costs. Mr. Mosher asked what the final cost would be.
The purchase and sales agreement was signed on Nov. 13, 2014, Town has one hundred twenty
days to match the P&S. Recommends that the Town make the decision to buy at Town Meeting.
Mr. Mosher will ask the Town to review the numbers used in the presentation.
Mrs. Peters made a motion: to send the measure to CPC with the full support of Open Space.
Mr. Mosher second, all in voted in favor.
Mr. Harrow has not been sworn in so he is not eligible to vote.
Pratt Farm
Mr. Doherty gave an overview with the question to table it or move it forward to CPC.
Mr. Senie, attorney representing Mr. Pratt. He works in Land Use in Westborough. The forty-acre
farm has been in existence as a working farm for over one hundred and ten years. Mr. Joseph
Pratt, former owner, died in 2012 and the estate is being settled. A small portion of land has been
deeded to Mary Pratt. There is a potential for fifteen house lots using an open space plan. Three
A&R family lots, eight acres, on Fruit St. would be retained as collateral. Mary Pratt must approve
all plans for the land. Mr. Thomas Pratt can’t afford to buy the farm out right. He is offering a
conservation restriction to the Town for nine hundred thousand dollars. An additional sixteen acres
of back land would remain undeveloped with this plan. There is a potential well site in the middle
of this parcel.
The market value is approximately two million dollars.
Mr. Davies, attorney for the estate, offered that there are actually seventeen house lots that could
be developed and the land value is closer to three million or more. Mr. Davies will approach the
Town regarding purchase of the well site. This is excluded from the land for development.
Mr. Mosher question funding sources by the Town, CPC, and mortgages.
Mrs. Peters asked about the risk to the conservation restriction-is forever.
Mr. Harrow asked about the time line-must be settled within five years but will be sooner.
Mr. Mosher talked about the Abbot Farm and the involvement of the Trustees for Preservation. He
would be interested in a cost benefit analysis and how under market value price works. Must be
explained in the settlement.
The CPC submission and maps were included in the presentation.
Mr. Mosher would like not to vote on this matter at this time, he wants more information on moving
parts.
Mr. Doherty mentions that there are two former water commissioners on the CPC.
Mr. Harrow, CPC could like the plan but offer no dollar support for the project.
Mrs. Peters made a motion to support conservation restriction and move it to CPC.
Mr. Doherty second.
Mr. Mosher abstained.
Vote approved.