WESTFIELD – At Thursday night’s CPC (Community Preservation Committee) meeting, the open space on 466 Montgomery Road was discussed. The property is owned by Robert and Karen Baker.
With Franklin Land Trust representing them, the Baker’s made a proposal in the past to conserve 39.34 acres, which abuts where they live.
During the CPC meeting, the committee decided to make a motion to accept the project funding and the conservation restriction with Franklin Land Trust. Originally, the committee was planning on $179,900 to be the total project cost, but that figure changed to $189,900 on Thursday night.
The CPC discussed the open space on the Baker property during Thursday night’s meeting. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Joe Muto, the Chair of the CPC, voiced his support for the project.
“Personally, it’s a project that I’m fully in support of,” said Muto.
The 39.34 acres that will be conserved, is now added to the 27.34 acres that the Baker’s had previously donated back in December of 2004.
According to Franklin Land Trust’s Emily Boss, the 39.34 acres of land will be funded so the restriction will be purchased by the town, yet the Baker’s will still be able to own the property.
“It can never be developed,” said Robert Baker.
Boss also added that anyone that acquires or buys the land in the future will have to follow the restrictions.
“The people that they give it to or sell it to in the future will also be bound by the same restriction,” said Boss.
Moving forward, Boss said that the Franklin Land Trust will now work with the CPC to create a new restriction for the land and to find out how it will be conserved. The City of Westfield will then be able to release the funds.
