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Select Board OKs LMH ground‑lease draft; $98,700 grant clears path for repairs
Summary
The Select Board approved a draft 15‑year ground lease for the Lone Mason House (LMH) at 59 Green Street, subject to finalizing the legal description of the leased parcel; LMH representatives said a Mass Cultural Council grant of $98,700 will fund work once the lease is executed.
The Medfield Select Board voted on May 19 to accept a draft ground lease for the Lone Mason House (LMH) at 59 Green Street, subject to finalization of the property's legal description to be attached to the lease.
Attorney Ted Cannon introduced the lease on behalf of the LMH Foundation. Tom Scotty, who identified himself as the LMH president, described the house's historic association with educator Lowell (L) Mason and said the foundation had secured a grant totaling $98,700 to support rehabilitation and a small addition for music education and community use. "We were informed we got the grant, which totals $98,700," Scotty said.
Board members and town counsel discussed the lease term and town‑meeting authority. The town's current authorization supports a 15‑year lease; board members noted prior drafts had contemplated a longer term (99 years) but the town's warrant language in place provides for a shorter lease. Counsel and members asked that the lease be approved only after the attached sketch or legal description of the parcel is finalized so the town and the grantor (Mass Cultural Council) have a clear perimeter shown.
The board voted to accept the LMH lease draft subject to final agreement on the property description and to circulate the finalized lease for signatures with town counsel's confirmation. The board said it intends to revisit longer‑term tenure or other arrangements in a later process if needed.
What happens next: town counsel and LMH representatives will finalize the legal description and circulate the lease for signatures. LMH will provide the finalized package to the Mass Cultural Council so construction can proceed.
