Acton Road and Sheehan Properties Purchases Now Up To Town Meeting
The two parcels of land would cost a combined $1.7 million if approved by Fall Town Meeting. Are they a good deal or not worth it?
On Monday, the Board of Selectmen signed purchase and sale agreements for four land parcels worth a combined $1.7 million, but the sales won't be finalized without approval of Fall Town Meeting on Oct. 15.
The parcel on Acton Road, detailed in Article 10, was appraised at $220,000. However, the agreement cites the sale would be worth $190,000, although the language in the warrant article does not cite an exact number due to potential miscellaneous costs associated with the sale.
If approved, the lot would likely be annexed to the adjacent Sunny Meadow Farm for open space and agricultural purposes.
The other three parcels, clustered between Pine Hill, Galloway and Singlefoot Roads just north of I-495 (pictured) combine at approximately 27 acres and are an appraised $1.775,000.
Here as well, the town got a slight discount over the appraised value, offering $1,550,000.
In the past, the lot has been used for agricultural purposes along for seasonal corn mazes and would be locked into either agricultural or open space uses in perpetuity if the purchase is approved by Fall Town Meeting in a Special Town Meeting to occur just before the beginning of Town Meeting.
Money for both purchases would come from Community Preservation Act funding, which comes from property-tax surcharges.
Iron Mike
6:28 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Sounds like another Agenda 21 boondoggle to me...
Phil stanway
10:03 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The farm grows punkins,corn and strawberries and host the corn maze. It really boils down to do we want a farm or do we want more housing. Housing will bring in tax dollars and farming brings in very little. Saving farms will cost money a good deal of money but I think its one of the best uses for CPC as what we buy (Land) has no cost to support and increases in value. Investing in buildings costs money and will continue to cost money down the line. I think the two farms saved have the same value to quality of life as the two town halls and maybe impact more people. Its very simple if we want to save this farm and see this farm running in town forever or do we want housing on the site. I vote for the farm.
myron
11:25 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
There is so little open space left in town that it is an imperative to preserve what is left. We can all enjoy open space and the last thing the town needs is another strip mall. I vote for sunshine and fresh air.
jtalexander
2:08 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Myron,
I am not sure that the implication is that the only choices are either a farm or a strip mall. It seems like it is more likely a choice between residential and farm.
Phil, how is the property currently zoned is there any other posibilty of any other use?
Phil stanway
3:11 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
a dozen houses would be a waste. It should either be protected farm land or a HUGE 40 B. Farm land Is what it should be but if not then build out the houses we need and protect other land in town.