Published September 30, 2020

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — A citizens group urged the Board of Selectmen to support purchasing the Richardson Green property during a Sept. 21 meeting.

Planning and Conservation Director Emilie Cademartori recalled that developer Angus Bruce and the Richardson-Green group have come to terms on a $2.7 million purchase and sale agreement for a 24-acre parcel of undeveloped land located at 1325 Main St. Bruce originally proposed developing the property as part of the Woods of Lynnfield elderly housing project that the 2019 April Town Meeting rejected. He is now looking to build 18 single-family homes on the property as part of a proposed development called Hannah’s View Estates.

Cademartori recalled that Massachusetts Chapter 61 gives the town the right to acquire the Richardson Green property or assign it to a nonprofit organization.

“You can also do nothing and allow the property to be sold and converted into another use,” said Cademartori. “Typically, the town would have 120 days to take action on this process, which is pretty tight for what has to be done. But due to the COVID-19 situation, that timeline has been extended. The town has a little bit more time to look into its options.”

Cademartori said a citizens group consisting of local officials and residents “have been working independently to gather information to present to the selectmen and the town” about the best way to proceed.

Ipswich River Watershed Association Board of Directors Vice President Ken MacNulty, 40 Merrow Rd., said the ad hoc group believes “the loss of this significant parcel of land to development cannot be ignored.”

“We encourage you to take advantage of Massachusetts Chapter 61 and exercise the town’s right of first refusal, which will give Lynnfield the right to acquire the Richardson Green parcel,” said MacNulty.

MacNulty said acquiring the parcel of land would protect the Lynnfield Center Water District’s water supply, and noted LCWD owns property that abuts the proposed Hannah’s View Estates development. He also said it would protect upper Main Street residents’ private wells.

Purchasing the Richardson Green property would also protect the Ipswich River, MacNulty said.

“A national publication named the Ipswich River one of the most endangered rivers in the country a few years ago,” said MacNulty. “Acquiring the land would prevent additional withdrawals from the already stressed Ipswich River Watershed.”

MacNulty said acquiring the property would protect the largest intact forest” on the northern part of the Ipswich River.

“If you combine it with adjacent public land, it would represent more than 700 acres of undisturbed forest,” said MacNulty. “If the development does not move ahead, it would retain 3,300 trees that help safeguard groundwater in that area and store carbon in the climate crisis we are facing.”

MacNulty also noted residents have repeatedly stated over the years they want to protect open space. In addition to abutting land owned by the LCWD, MacNulty said Richardson Green is in close proximity to land owned by the Conservation Commission.

“Richardson Green is in a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Wellhead Protection Zone 2,” said MacNulty. “This is an area of land that is appropriate for land use restrictions to protect the groundwater quality. This is a very sensitive piece of property.”

Planning Board member Kate Flaws recalled that the State Legislature approved a law this year that stipulates Chapter 61’s 120-day period will not begin until 90 days after Gov. Charlie Baker lifts the state of emergency.

“While we all want to be fair to land owners and developers, what it is really important here is being fair to people in our town,” said Flaws. “We need to make sure that we take the time to really think this through and fully vet what options are available for the town.”

Flaws said the purchase and sale agreement between the Richardson family and Bruce totals $2.7 million. If Town Meeting voted to appropriate money in order to buy the property, she said it would cost each household $32 a year.

The Planning Board member also said the town could apply for grants in order to fund the land purchase. She said the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant can be as high as $1.5 million.

“This grant is supposed to help offset climate issues and helps municipalities prepare for things such as creating a more resilient water source,” said Flaws. “The program has already been used to help municipalities partner with land trusts to purchase land. There are other grants that can be applied for on top of that.”

Flaws also noted the Conservation Commission’s land conservation fund has $300,000 that can be completely or partially allocated in order to purchase the land.

“It can only be used for land conservation purchases,” said Flaws. “It’s not taxpayer dollars and doesn’t require a town vote to use. It’s up to the Board of Selectmen to decide whether we go that route.”

Flaws also said the Essex County Greenbelt Association and the Ipswich River Watershed Association can help the town with fundraising in order to purchase the property. In addition to appropriating town funds, fundraising and applying for grants, Flaws said the town can sell two house lots that are close to Main Street for $1 million.

Essex County Greenbelt Land Conservation Director Chris LaPointe said the land trust has helped cities and towns in Essex “conserve nearly 18,000 acres of land across the county” since the early 1960s. He recalled that Essex County Greenbelt helped Boxford purchase the 46-acre Nason property for $925,000 seven years ago. He said town money, state grants and private fundraising was used to purchase the land.

“Organizations like ours have the ability to write grants and bring state monies and private funds into projects like this,” said LaPointe. “This is a fairly standard process for most communities.”

LaPointe said Essex County Greenbelt is interested in helping Lynnfield purchase Richardson Green, but said it “must be a priority for the town.”

“We can offer project management assistance and we have real estate expertise and Chapter 61 expertise on our staff,” said LaPointe.

Flaws said Richardson Green’s abutters are concerned about the proposed 18-home subdivision moving forward and its impact on their drinking water supply.

“We are really making a gamble if we allow this to go forward,” said Flaws.

In an interview with the Villager, LCWD Superintendent John Scenna said he is concerned about the proposed development.

“We are concerned about what we have heard about the project and that is why we have requested additional information,” said Scenna.

More information needed

Board of Selectmen Chairman Chris Barrett thanked the citizens’ group for giving a thorough presentation to the board. He said he appreciated all of the residents who reached out to him about the land purchase.

Barrett said the Strategic Planning Committee will be unveiling a number of large capital projects to the selectmen in the near future, including additions for the two elementary schools.

In response to a question from Barrett, Planning Board Chairman Brian Charville said “the Planning Board has not taken a formal position” on the potential land purchase.

“We will be acting and informing you guys soon as I know the Conservation Commission will be doing so as well,” said Charville.

Selectman Dick Dalton asked if the citizens’ group has met with the Strategic Planning Committee. Flaws said no.

“I would recommend that you do meet with them because they are working and advising the selectmen on long-term strategies and how things such as this fit in with other things on the town’s plate,” said Dalton.

Selectman Phil Crawford said it’s important for local officials to gather more information about purchasing Richardson Green before the board decides to exercise the right of first refusal.

“We have plenty of time to work on this and get as much input as possible,” said Crawford.

Barrett agreed.

“We have to gather the information and do everything we need to do to make an informed decision,” said Barrett.

Cademartori noted that the selectmen will need to hold a public hearing on how to proceed in the future. She encouraged the selectmen to develop a timeline for moving forward as a “courtesy” to the landowner and developer.

“I think that will be valuable to keep the project on track,” said Cademartori.