May 12 Special Town Meeting Draws a Crowd

By Joe Stewart

Following more than 90 minutes of debate, Special Town Meeting attendees overwhelmingly voted to purchase 2095 West Street through a combination of bonding, funds from the Land Acquisition Fund, possible funds from the Pawtucket Water Supply Board and the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and ongoing Community Preservation Fund payments.  Likewise, voters approved electrical and lighting improvements at Sweatt Park also using the Community Preservation Fund.  Neither vote will increase property taxes.

Moderator Ed Goddard called the meeting to order shortly after 7 p.m. and held a moment of silence for former Select Board member Joe Botaish, who recently passed away.  Goddard also admonished attendees to remain professional in listening to speakers, acknowledging criticism that speakers were heckled at the December 16 Town Meeting to adopt MBTA Communities-compliant zoning (which did not pass). 

Community Preservation Act

Town Manager Michael King provided a brief overview of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and its various funds and possible uses.  In particular, funds placed into the Land Acquisition Fund must be used to purchase land and cannot be used for other purposes such as sidewalks or town operations.  King also provided an overview of the funding sources for the purchase of 2095 West Street for $2.5M, including $600K from the Land Acquisition Fund, $650K from the Pawtucket Water Supply Board, and $500K from the DCR. The balance would come from a 10-year bond, which would be paid for from future CPA funds.

Sweatt Park Lighting

Following King’s introduction, debate commenced on the Sweatt Park project, which adds lighting to the sport courts, pathways, and stairs, extending the usability of the park into the evening hours. Sweatt Park is currently undergoing renovation, which has been financed using Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, including development of common areas

and walkways, new sport courts, rebuilding the staircase, and improving accessibility. 

One of the first questions asked why lights weren’t in the current project, to which King explained that the town cut electrical and lighting to stay within the budget funded by ARPA. Following a few more questions, Goddard brought it to a vote and it passed on a majority voice vote.

2095 West Street

Alan Selling, chair of the Open Space Committee, described the 2095 West Street property as 65 contiguous acres across from Cook’s Farm. The property, zoned as 61B recreational land, could be preserved as open space or used for modest recreational improvements, such as walking trails.  Selling also noted that the property has been a part of Cook’s Farm for over 350 years. Cook’s Farm is the oldest continuously operating farm in Wrentham, dating back to 1664, a land grant from the King of England.

Selling emphasized the contributions from the Pawtucket Water Supply Board and the state’s DCR, effectively enabling Wrentham to preserve the land for “half price.”

Wrentham resident and long-time builder Howard Bailey shared his plans for developing the land, likely 12-15 homes.  He noted that with another parcel he owns, the total acreage is closer to 100 acres, of which he would plan to use about 20 acres for the homes leaving the remaining 80 acres unchanged.  Bailey also shared that he does not plan to add a road so Wrentham would not incur additional sanding and plowing expenses.  

Shifting to finances, Bailey noted that the homes will provide property tax revenue long into the future, and at valuations greater than $1M each, these homes would likely provide about $250K in tax revenue annually. 

Following these presentations, voters began debating.  Everett Skinner noted that the property is one of the few in town that has elevations above 400 ft., which makes it suitable for a water supply tank.  He asked both Bailey and Selling if they would support the installation of a water tank.  Bailey responded that yes, he would and that he has experience with similar requests.  Selling, after conferring with town counsel, responded that the conservation restriction would preclude development.

Several voters discussed the value of the watershed itself, sharing personal stories of damage from pollution and runoff, the need to protect the area for drinking water, and similar concerns.

Two other speakers raised interesting observations: one pointed out that if the property is developed, just 15 families will enjoy a gorgeous area while 13,000 other Wrentham residents will not. Another pointed out that this property is largely untouched and any disruption to that habitat will dramatically reduce its value - if one wants open space it needs to remain open space.

At 9:15 p.m., a vote “moved the question,” which cut off debate and brought the article to a vote.  The article passed, 347 to 39.   

To complete the purchase, voters will need to approve selling to the Pawtucket Water Supply Board a “first right of refusal” which they require for their contribution to the purchase.

That vote will take place at the Annual Town Meeting, 7:30 p.m. on June 2 at the King Philip Regional High School.