Lakeville Town Meeting Votes to Convey 636 Acres to Massachusetts for Conservation

The Lakeville Annual Town Meeting held on June 9, 2014, focused on a significant proposal regarding the conveyance of a large parcel of land to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The meeting began with a motion from a town official to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey approximately 636 acres of vacant land located on Howland Road. This land, purchased around 15 years ago, is intended for conservation purposes and would be placed under a permanent conservation restriction.

The proposal was met with support from the Finance Committee, which recommended approval. The town received an offer of approximately $760,000 for the land, which would yield a modest profit of about $21,000 after accounting for the original purchase price. However, concerns were raised by several residents regarding the implications of transferring local control of the land to the state. Questions were posed about the potential for future development and the assurances that the land would remain protected.

A representative from the Department of Conservation and Recreation clarified that the state would purchase the land outright, not merely a conservation restriction, and emphasized that any future changes in land use would require a two-thirds vote from the state legislature, making it a challenging process to alter its status.

Residents expressed mixed feelings about the sale, with some advocating for retaining the land for potential future uses, such as renewable energy projects. Others questioned the lack of a clear plan for the land's future and suggested that the town should ensure it receives adequate compensation for the transfer.

The discussion highlighted the community's desire to balance conservation efforts with local interests and the importance of ensuring that any decisions made would benefit Lakeville in the long term. The meeting concluded with a call for further deliberation on the proposal, reflecting the town's commitment to thoughtful decision-making regarding its land resources.