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Select Board approves conservation restriction and DCR escrow to complete 2095 West Street purchase
Summary
The Select Board voted unanimously to place an Article 97 conservation restriction on 2095 West Street and authorized a memorandum of agreement with the state to escrow $500,000 toward demolition and closing costs, unlocking an additional $650,000 from a regional water board to offset acquisition expenses.
At its June 2 meeting the Wrentham Select Board voted 5–0 to grant and record an Article 97 conservation restriction on 2095 West Street and to authorize a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to preserve a funding commitment tied to the purchase.
Town Manager Michael King told the board that DCR will place $500,000 into escrow to support the transaction. Under the MOA DCR will deposit $350,000 when the conservation restriction is recorded and release the remaining $150,000 after the town completes demolition of deteriorated structures on the property. King said the town will advance demolition costs and be reimbursed from the escrow once the work is finished.
Recording the restriction will also enable the release of $650,000 from the Pucket Water Supply Board that had been pledged toward the 2.5 million purchase. King said the combined outside contributions were critical in moving the purchase forward and that the escrow mechanism allowed the town to meet DCR’s fiscal‑year schedule while completing closing steps.
"This agreement lets us preserve the funding commitment while we finish the conservation restriction and demolition process," King said.
Town counsel (Attorney Leiden) confirmed the MOA is intended to bridge the timing gap in the state fiscal calendar so the town can close and receive reimbursement without forfeiting DCR’s FY26 funds.
Select Board members asked for and received clarification that the town will front demolition costs and be reimbursed from the escrow — "money out, money in," Chair Chris Gallow summarized — and that identifying a future parking area in the restriction preserves the option to build parking later without obligating the town to install it immediately.
The board approved both the MOA authorizing the escrow and the conservation restriction by roll‑call votes, each 5–0. The conservation restriction requires the chair’s wet signature for recording.
What happens next: With the restriction recorded the town expects DCR’s initial $350,000 to become available in escrow and the Pucket Water Supply Board contribution to be released; demolition work will follow and trigger the remaining DCR payment. The restriction preserves the property for conservation purposes under Article 97 and obliges the town to restore the parcel consistent with DCR terms.
Provenance: The conservation restriction and MOA were discussed and voted on during the Select Board meeting on June 2, 2026. The board’s votes to authorize the MOA and to record the conservation restriction were taken during the same session.
