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Residents press for Day Agricultural Field RFP; Hill Orchard stewardship RFP to be released
Summary
A resident asked for the release and timeline of the Day Agricultural Field RFP; staff said wetlands filings delayed release but will post the RFP to the town bids site and send an alert to interested parties. Commissioners also said the Hill Orchard RFP will be issued soon to solicit stewardship proposals after the prior caretaker declined renewal.
At the June 24 meeting, a local farmer asked the commission for information and a timeline on the planned RFP for the Day Agricultural Field, saying the land would suit her microgreens operation and small‑farm expansion.
Staff acknowledged ongoing wetlands filings were delaying the RFP release but said the package will be finalized and posted to the town bids page (westfordma.gov/bids) once filings are complete and that staff will send the link directly to interested parties. Commissioners discussed whether alerts to town bid subscribers could be used but noted those lists can be noisy and include unrelated bid notifications.
Commissioners also discussed stewardship for Hill Orchard. Staff said the previous caretaker (known locally as Farmer Dave) chose not to renew his caretaking arrangement; the town will issue an RFP to solicit proposals for stewardship, with select‑board review expected for any lease of town property. Residents and local farm operators at the meeting expressed interest in historic preservation and in clarifying whether the town expects stewardship to be revenue‑neutral, cost‑neutral or subsidized.
What’s next: staff will finalize the Day Agricultural Field RFP when wetlands work is complete, email interested parties the bids link, and release the Hill Orchard RFP in the coming week. Commissioners who volunteered will help review proposals when they arrive.
