Lakeville voters approve sale of large Howland Road parcel to state after adding minimum price

Lakeville voters on June 9 approved a motion authorizing the Board of Selectmen to convey a large parcel on Howland Road to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and amended the motion to set a minimum sale price of $760,000.

The measure concerns a roughly 636-acre parcel described in deed records and shown on a plan at the Plymouth Registry of Deeds. The original motion authorized the selectmen “to convey…all or a portion” of the parcel and to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the transaction. Voters first approved an amendment to the motion to include a minimum price of $760,000 (amendment passed by voice/teller count, 91–25). After additional public discussion the amended article passed on the floor (final count reported in the meeting: 69 in favor, 50 opposed).

Why it matters: Town officials said proceeds would be used to pay off the remaining bond on the property (reported outstanding balance approximately $150,000) and to fund future capital projects; if the state acquires the parcel, the land would become state-managed conservation land and acquire the protections of Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which makes removal of state conservation land subject to a difficult legislative process.

Discussion and clarifications - The DCR’s representative, Sean Provencher, told the meeting that the state is offering to purchase the acreage in fee, not to acquire only a conservation restriction. “The state is offering to purchase the acreage in fee. We are not purchasing a conservation restriction,” Provencher said at the microphone. He said he was present to answer questions from residents. - Town presenters explained the offer is for about $760,000 and noted the town originally paid a similar sum roughly 15 years ago; the presenter said the town’s rough numbers show about $21,000 in nominal profit (purchase price vs. offer). Town presenters also said roughly $150,000 remains on the bond and that, after paying the debt, roughly $610,000 would be available for capital uses. Those dollar figures were presented by town officials during the discussion and treated as approximations by meeting speakers. - A town official told voters the town would qualify for a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) if the state owns the parcel; the official said an illustrative figure might be $5,000 per year but emphasized the actual payment would depend on state determinations and was not specified. - Several residents raised concerns. Some speakers urged the town retain the land for potential future renewable-energy projects (wind or solar), while others supported conservation and the state’s stewardship. Questions were asked about the implications for abutters; DCR’s representative said he was not aware of state restrictions being placed on private abutting landowners as a result of DCR ownership.

Process and outcome - The original warrant article authorized the Board of Selectmen to negotiate and execute conveyance documents to the Commonwealth. - Voters amended the motion on the floor to set a minimum sale price of $760,000 (amendment passed by teller count 91–25). The amended motion then passed on the floor (reported vote 69–50). The moderator declared the article passed by majority vote.

Ending The conveyance now authorizes the selectmen to complete negotiations and execute documents consistent with the motion and amendment. Town officials said proceeds are expected to be applied to retire the existing bond and to fund capital projects; the precise use of proceeds and any final purchase terms will be determined during the selectmen’s negotiations with the Commonwealth and reported back to the town as appropriate.