Residents urge conservation of Forest Ridge as Select Board votes 'unfavorable' on Article 35

Dozens of residents urged the Winchester Select Board to conserve the Shannon family’s Forest Ridge parcel, warning that past development attempts have threatened neighborhood wells, wetlands and led to blasting‑related damages. “I’m interested in having this land conserved,” said Dorothy Feldman, a 35‑year resident, urging the board to work with the conservation commission and neighbors to find a solution.

The Select Board’s discussion on Article 35 — the warrant article that would authorize borrowing for acquisition or related action — ran deep into procedural and policy trade‑offs. Tracy Olsen, chair of the Conservation Commission, summarized a recent botanist’s floristic inventory that rated the site as high‑quality habitat and highlighted mixed wetlands and upland forest that support pollinators and marsh species. “The site consists primarily of forested upland white pine‑oak and a deep emergent cattail marsh,” Olsen said, and a floristic quality index score placed the parcel in a higher habitat range than most nearby properties.

Opponents of immediate action urged more time for due diligence on price and developability. Select Board member Bill stated that the town lacks an accepted purchase price from the owners and argued for further grant pursuit and community fundraising before asking taxpayers to authorize borrowing. “Three million dollars deserves a lot of consideration and time and planning,” he said.

Supporters of prompt Select Board authorization argued the sellers indicated they would market the property to developers if the town did not appear ready to act. That risk — real or perceived by neighbors — led other board members to favor seeking authorization at Fall Town Meeting to preserve the opportunity to negotiate. The board debated whether to structure any acquisition so the Conservation Commission would ultimately own the land and thereby create permanent conservation protections.

After extended public comment and board deliberation, a motion for "unfavorable action" on Article 35 carried in a recorded voice vote; several board members opposed the unfavorable recommendation. The Select Board’s unfavorable position is a procedural recommendation to town meeting, not a final decision on acquisition or conservation funding.

What’s next: the conservation commission and town staff said they will continue to explore grant programs (including state stewardship and other acquisition grants), clarify watershed/resource area implications and report back. Residents and proponents said they will continue outreach to the community and WCCP to pursue other funding paths or potential amended motions at a future meeting.