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Selectmen table Sunny Hill Farm lease renewal over questions about $25-per-acre rate
Summary
Planning Director Bill Hawkins presented a five-year lease renewal for the 41-acre Hilltop Farm West with Sunny Hill Farm LLC at $812.50 per year (noted as $25 per acre); selectmen questioned the per-acre rate and voted unanimously to table the matter pending legal advice from Town Counsel.
The Suffield Board of Selectmen on May 20 tabled consideration of a proposed five-year lease renewal with Sunny Hill Farm LLC for the 41-acre Hilltop Farm West open-space parcel so staff can seek guidance from the Town Attorney.
Planning and Development Director Bill Hawkins said the proposed renewal would set the lease at $812.50 per year and noted a per-acre figure of $25 in the materials provided. Board members questioned whether $25 per acre is too low and discussed whether a shorter two-year lease would be more appropriate than the proposed five-year term.
Selectman Kathleen Harrington moved to table the renewal so Mr. Hawkins could consult Town Counsel Derek Donnelly; the motion passed unanimously, 5-0. No lease term was adopted and no further action was taken on May 20.
Next steps: Town staff will seek legal guidance on whether the Board may accept the bid with a two-year term or must proceed under the five-year proposal; the item will return for board consideration once counsel advises.
