WESTFIELD – The Community Preservation Commission met in a special meeting on Monday to consider an application for two one-acre lots on the Reed Farm on Furrowtown Road for $225,000, following a vote by the City Council on December 1 to exercise its right of first refusal to purchase the land.
The Community Preservation Committee met to discuss the acquisition of two lots on the Reed Farm on Monday. In attendance were William Reed, second from left, and Ray Frappier of the Westfield Sportman’s Club, far left. (Photo by Amy Porter)
The notice of intent to withdraw the two house lots on the farmland from the state’s agricultural assessment taxation program (Chapter 61A) was sent to the city from the William F. Reed Family Trust on August 22. The lots are part of the 33-acre Reed farm located across Montgomery Road from Westfield High School. Chapter 61A provides the city with the right of first refusal to purchase the land.
The purchase had previously been considered by several committees before the City Council vote, with mixed results. At its September 6 meeting, the Planning Board recommended the city exercise its option to purchase the lots, considering the broader context and open space value of the farm. Jay Vinskey, the city’s principal planner, shared with the committee a memo he wrote on September 13 to the Board.
“While the Board understands the impracticality of such a piecemeal approach to land protection, the provisions of 61A leave no other option in this instance. It is hoped that this recommendation sends a message as to the value of eventually protecting the entirety of the highly visible 33-acre farmland parcel, without the diminishment and detriment caused by peripheral house lots being carved out, as proposed. The CPC has discussed the open space value of the farmland previously, and may have funding available. The landowner would receive the fair value of the land in any case.”
The request also went before the Zoning, Planning and Development committee after the Conservation Commission voted to pass on the option at its August 23 meeting.
The Legislative & Ordinance Committee also considered the request at its November 28 meeting, voting to send the request back to the City Council with no recommendation. At its December 1 meeting, the City Council then voted to exercise its right and attempt to purchase the lots.
Part of the discussion at many of the meetings was the potential value to the city of the property, with regards to future building plans at the high school. Some of the potential uses of the land would be for playing fields that might need to be replaced if the school were expanded, or even as the site for a new school
. Following the vote to pursue the option by the City Council, the request was made for the special meeting of the Community Preservation Commission to consider the application. The city’s right of first refusal runs out on December 20.
“I was surprised that the city picked up the option on those two lots,” said owner William Reed before the CPC meeting.
After running through the history of the request with the CPC, Vinskey told them, “Basically, that’s why we’re here. The City needs to know soon if CPA funds are available or not. It is only two acres of land, and a good chunk of money.”
“Why did they vote in favor?” asked Cynthia Gaylord.
Vinskey explained that they are considering its use by the high school. He said it all depends on how it’s funded. The Community Preservation Committee could only fund it in one of two categories; open space farmland, or for recreational purposes.
Reed then asked for permission to speak to the committee.
“I was going to cut out those two house lots because there are already houses to the side of them. But the Mayor thought if there are houses there, it would be more of a problem if they wanted to put a school or something there,” Reed said, adding, “I was really surprised when the city took up their option for the two lots. I want to move on. I’ll keep the seven lots out there for the city if they get their act together.”
“We’ve known about this since August, and yet here it is as an emergency,” commented Thomas Sharp of the Conservation Committee. He said the farm is a beautiful piece of property, and would be a jewel for the city, but agreed with Reed that the two houses on Furrowtown Road wouldn’t impact the scenic beauty of the lot.
Vinskey reminded the CPC that out of the $1.3 million in funds in the account, they have several other proposals they have approved and that are under consideration, including the Hotel Bismark porch renovation, the Streeter property and another farmland property which will be reviewed at the meeting in January, all of which amount to $600,000.
Planning Board representative Peter Fiordalice said that the city is interested in the whole parcel, due to its proximity to the high school. He said he’s always been a proponent of keeping a rural part of Westfield, but is not in favor of purchasing these two lots. Another member said that the rest of the CPA money would have to be devoted to this project.
“The best way to look at it is as part of a bigger plan that’s unknown,” Vinskey said, adding that the City Council has already decided they want these two lots.
“These two lots, you wouldn’t be getting a lot for the money,” Reed admitted.
Sharp made a motion to advise the City Council that the purchase is not an appropriate use of CPA funds, which passed unanimously.
Following the meeting, Reed said all that he can do now is wait on the city.
Vinskey said it’s not going to be purchased with CPA money, so the city has to find other funds. “The City Council voted to purchase it, this was just a funding source to explore,” he added.
