BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JANUARY 3, 2006

EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

ÒAPPROVEDÓ

 

Present: George F. Dillon, Jr., Chair; Peter S. Cunningham, Vice Chair; John L. Saball, Clerk; Robert W. Nordblom, Member; Maria Casey, Administrative Assistant; and Kathy Newell, Office Assistant

Absent: Mihran Keoseian, Member

 

Mr. Saball moved to enter into Executive Session at 9:37 p.m. in accordance with MGL Chapter 39, Section 23B, for the purpose of considering the purchase, exchange, taking, lease, or value of real property if such discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position and will not reconvene in Open Session. Seconded by Mr. Nordblom. Roll Call vote: Dillon Ð yes; Saball Ð yes; Nordblom- yes; Cunningham Ð yes.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) had contacted the Board on December 23, 2005, regarding the 400 acres of the Campbell property; of which 200 acres are currently under contract to Falzone Construction. Surrenden Farms also abuts this property. Mr. Dillon stated that the Trust for Public Lands had put forth a proposal for the Town to purchase the properties. The proposed funding would be broken down as follows: Town of Groton - $5,600,000; Groton School - $5,000,000; sale of existing houses; sale of lots; self help grants and fundraising. Mr. Dillon stated that the Groton School is interested in (2) of the (5) houses involved in the deal and they (Groton School) would like to relocate Joy Lane. Mr. Dillon stated that there was a short time frame and that the proposal needs to be settled by March 1, 2006. Mr. Dillon stated that he had met with Mr. Badger Blackett of the TPL and he would like to have Mr. Blackett come before the Board to review the proposal.

 

Mr. Saball asked if there were any issues with contamination from the Surrenden Farm property and if the Town would incur the liability. Mr. Cunningham stated that there had been remediation. Mr. Cunningham further stated that there were portions of the property that had not been used for the orchard. Mr. Cunningham stated that the Groton School had a very high interest in the proposal.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that the TPL needed to pay an assignment fee and they would need an affirmative vote from the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen by March 1, 2006. Mr. Dillon further stated that there would need to be a warrant article with an endorsement on the April Town Meeting warrant.

 

Mr. Nordblom stated that he felt the price was too high and then asked if the TPL had done an independent appraisal of the property. Mr. Dillon stated that they had been negotiating with the Campbell Trust for months and they had thought that it was a solid price.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that he would meet with Mr. Blackett again on Thursday.

 

Mr. Saball moved to leave Executive Session and adjourn the meeting at 9:34 p.m. Seconded by Nordblom. Roll call vote: Dillon Ð yes; Saball Ð yes; Nordblom Ð yes; Cunningham Ð yes.

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

Approved: _____________________________                    Respectfully submitted,

            Robert W. Nordblom, Clerk                            Kathy Newell, Office Assistant

                                                                                    to the Board of Selectmen

 

Date Approved: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 27, 2006                                        Date Released: March 27, 2006