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Westford chair seeks Middlesex County mediation to address APR obligations at 66–68 Boston Road
Summary
Commission members reported that 66–68 Boston Road has added fencing and pasture; the chair said he will consult a Middlesex County Ag Roundtable member about mediation to help the owner meet Agricultural Preservation Restriction obligations.
The chair of the Westford Agricultural Commission said the commission will seek mediation to address Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) obligations at 66–68 Boston Road after noting recent land improvements at the property.
Mark O’Lalor reported that 66–68 Boston Road appears to have added fencing and created pasture areas used by cows and goats. The commission’s chair said he would consult Bob O’Connor of the Middlesex County Ag Roundtable to explore mediation to help the property owner meet APR obligations.
Why it matters: APRs place restrictions on protected farmland; when land use changes or lease relationships alter agricultural activity, the commission and county partners may intervene to clarify and enforce APR obligations or work toward compliance through mediation.
What happened next: no formal enforcement action or vote was recorded at the May 4 meeting; the commission directed follow-up outreach to Middlesex County Ag Roundtable and will report back when mediation options are identified.
