WESTFIELD – Mayor Daniel M. Knapik submitted an appropriation request to the City Council Thursday for funding to purchase more than 62 acres of farm lands off Northwest Road currently owned by John Pitoniak.
The appropriation request would transfer $381,500 from the Community Preservation Act reserve account to a specific account to complete the land purchase.
The Community Preservation Committee had voted in November to recommend the purchase. That board had voted to pursue the land acquisition nearly two years ago.
Last year, the City Council, which has to appropriate the purchase funds under the provisions of the Community Preservation Act (CPA), heard the details of the deal from Thomas Pitoniak, John’s nephew.
However, the City Council could not act on the CPC’s recommendation because of a technical issue. Under the state CPA law there is a requirement for an organization to act as the agency to ensure conditions of the conservation restriction are enforced.
Originally the city, which will now own the property, had planned to have the city’s Conservation Commission serve as that agent, but was informed by state officials that the city could not be both the owner and conservation restriction enforcement agency.
City Planner Jay Vinskey said yesterday that the issue has been resolved and the new funding request, which was increased by $21,500, includes money for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, through a local chapter, to serve as the conservation restriction enforcement agency.
The Audubon Society will conduct an initial assessment of the property to use as a baseline for future inspections. Those inspections include looking for evidence of illegal dumping or construction activity on the restricted land.
“This application is being submitted on behalf of the city,” Vinskey said. “Mass Audubon will ensure that the terms of the conservation restrictions are in compliance.”
The purchase of the 62.9 acres is part of 113 acres parcel which will be under conservation restrictions. The land abuts Little River and includes woodlands adjoining city owned property where a municipal water well is located.
The appropriation request was sent to the Legislative & Ordinance Committee of the City Council for further review and a recommendation to the full council for action.
