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Board backs trail easement at 50 Otis Street to formalize public access behind Amazon site
Summary
The planning board recommended Article 14 to acquire a trail easement at 50 Otis Street that will formalize public access to an existing trail system behind an Amazon facility and help connect Hakamaka Pond, Target ballfields and the train station; staff said the easement was negotiated as a gift and any use of town funds would require a town‑meeting vote.
The Planning Board voted Oct. 1 to recommend Article 14, a trail easement for 50 Otis Street that formalizes public access to an existing trail behind an Amazon property and helps link Hakamaka Pond, the Target ballfields and pedestrian routes to the train station.
Planning staff explained the trail was created historically for AstraZeneca employees but is already used by residents; Amazon agreed to grant an easement and staff said the easement had been negotiated so the town does not expect to pay for it. Board members asked why the article language references acquisition "by purchase, gift and/or eminent domain." Staff said town council advised retaining standard boilerplate language including "purchase" and an eminent‑domain clause because, if the property carries a mortgage, the lender must sign off; retaining the language preserves legal options, though staff said no purchase is intended and any use of town funds would require a town‑meeting appropriation.
Board members also discussed parking and access: current informal parking uses Target ballfield lots and Smithvale Parkway, while the town could provide parking at Hakamaka if that property later reopens. The article was moved, seconded and recommended for town meeting by voice vote.
