Williamstown Hesitant About Land Sale
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| Kathy Poirot, left, administrative assistant, shakes hands with Lisa DeMayo after swearing her on to the Agricultural Commission. |
The town could get more than $200,000 for the 230-acre property, or it could hang onto the piece to maintain control over its timber and wind-power potential. Without firm agreement one way or the other, the board voted to move forward with talks and lay both sides before town meeting — which would make the final decision in any case.
The board was approached last October by Peter Milanesi, a representative of MassWildlife, who said the state was interested in adding the so-called Blair lot to its abutting Green River Wildlife Management Area.
Town Tree Warden Robert McCarthy argued vigorously against selling the land, saying "we can protect it just as well as the state can."
 Tree Warden Robert McCarthy addresses the Selectmen. |
The state has paid between $1,000 and $1,400 per acre in the past, he said, using fees from hunting and fishing licenses that are set aside in a land procurement fund.
The land itself has little value because of its steep inclines and lack of access; users must pass over the state's abutting property or through private property. "It's not for hikers who are faint of heart," said McCarthy.
Selectman Ronald Turbin said he didn't have enough information to make a decision, although he was leaning toward advising a sale for funds the town could use. But more importantly, he said, the decision "should be based on what's good for the land."
Chairwoman Jane Allen said other town boards had been asked for their input but the only response was from cartographer Pat Dunlavey of the Planning Board, who sent a review of possible wind uses.
McCarthy, too, said the site might be used as a future wind-power resource as the technology became more efficient.
How much the town could get was speculation; no one has officially met with the state to talk numbers. Town Manager Peter Fohlin said Milanesi had proferred a number to begin negotiations.
If the town went ahead with a sale, McCarthy advised the board to consider keeping the rights to timber and wind usage.
 Police Chief Kyle Johnson and Humane Race organizer Alix Cabral report on plans for the race's move to the downtown area |
In other business:
- The board read a notification from the state Department of Agricultural Resources that planned to acquire an agricultural preservation restriction on several lots owned by Fairfields Dairy Farm on Green River and Blair Roads. The restriction will not affect taxes on the property.
- It appointed Lisa DeMayo to the Agricultural Commission and Martha Dailey to the Municipal Scholarship Committee.
- Approved this year's Humane Race, which will move downtown after several years at Mount Greylock Regional High School. The benefit for the Berkshire Humane Society will be held Saturday, May 9, along Route 2, Spring Street, Walden Street, the Knolls, the Clark Art Institute and end on Spring Street.
- Fohlin said Gov. Deval Patrick's announcement of lottery aid cuts could cost the town $115,000 and likely more next year. However, it was not clear if lottery aid would reduced equally to all towns. Fohlin said firm numbers would be known until Wednesday and the governor's 2010 budget would be released Thursday.
- Turbin's photograph of "Sheep in the Mist," taken at Caretaker Farm, was selected as the September photograph for the Massachusetts Municipal Association's 2009 calendar.
