Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Acquisition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town approves purchases to protect Kofsky Farm and adjacent parcels as open space
Summary
After extended public testimony and board discussion, town meeting approved acquisition of parts of the Kofsky Farm (820 Neponset Street) and two adjacent properties (814 & 816 Neponset Street) for open-space and recreation uses. The purchases were funded largely from prior Forbes proceeds and some free-cash and, where required, by borrowing.
Town meeting considered linked land-acquisition articles to protect a large parcel commonly called Kofsky Farm and two adjacent parcels that would provide safer access and parking. The Finance Commission and town staff framed the purchases as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to preserve roughly 20 acres for open space, trail access and low-impact recreation.
FinCom described a financing plan that uses proceeds previously generated from the sale of the Forbes Hill property together with some free cash to pay for the primary Kofsky Farm parcel; the board said borrowing would be used for one of the smaller parcels where necessary. Town staff presented maps and a chronology of prior planning efforts, noting the Kofsky Farm has been on the town’s open-space plan for decades and that the sellers have agreed to a purchase price within appraised values.
The evening’s public comment included a broad turnout: supporters emphasized habitat protection, trail connectivity and the parcel’s identification on state conservation mapping as core habitat; opponents and some selectmen expressed concern about taking large sums from free cash while the town faces a structural deficit and urged delaying decisions until the annual budget process. Several residents and town meeting members argued that the funds used for the purchase were set aside specifically from the Forbes sale for open-space purposes and would otherwise go unused.
Article 7 (purchase of portion of 820 Neponset Street) required a two-thirds vote for the real-estate appropriation and passed on a recorded vote. The Board of Selectmen then proposed and the meeting approved an amendment and main motion for Article 8 to authorize purchase of 814 and 816 Neponset Street (the amendment passed and the amended main motion passed by two-thirds). Both land-approval votes were recorded and carried.
Select board and conservation commission support, committee planning and a condition that the Kofsky parcel be held for open-space and recreation were described as part of the motion language. Town counsel and staff advised that future sales or changes in use would return to town meeting for approval.
