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Dorchester County Council authorizes appraisals, ESAs on Somerville-area tracts using greenbelt funds
Summary
Council voted 6–0 (one absent) to authorize appraisals and Phase I environmental site assessments on about 145 acres (Fossil Lake tract) and about 479 acres (Old Tower Road properties) in Somerville using greenbelt funds; TMS parcel IDs were listed and staff will proceed to order the studies.
Dorchester County Council on May 18 authorized the county administrator, working with the county attorney, to order appraisals and Phase I environmental site assessments on two Somerville-area property groups using greenbelt funds.
The motion—approved 6–0 with one member absent—covers roughly 145 acres known as the Fossil Lake tract (TMS 151-0000-00-16 and 151-0000-00-45) and about 479 acres identified as the Old Tower Road properties (TMS 142-0000-00-11, 143-0000-00-32 and 143-0000-00-33). The council moved the item following an executive-session discussion on legal advice about use of greenbelt funds.
Council did not direct purchase at this meeting; the approved authorization permits staff to obtain market appraisals and the standard Phase I environmental site assessments to inform any future acquisition decisions. No cost estimate for the appraisal/ESA work was provided during the meeting.
The vote followed a closed-session briefing; council members did not read a final purchase price or acquisition timeline into the public record. The action keeps options open for potential greenbelt-funded acquisitions in Somerville pending results of the appraisals and environmental reviews.
What happens next: staff will order the appraisals and Phase I ESAs and report back to council with the results and any recommended next steps.
