Ferrari Farm Conservation
At the Special Town Meeting on February 26, 2007, 256 voters unanimously approved the use of CPA funds to back a $1.5 million bond, which, combined with funds from a number of other sources, made it possible for the town to acquire the Ferrari Farm property. The acquisition calls for 149 acres of the property to be set aside as conservation land, creating a 425 acre block of contiguous open space with a network of walking trails for recreation. To help fund the project, the house and 10 acres will be sold with a historical preservation restriction on the deed that will preserve the historical character of the farm house, which was the birthplace of Sara Read Roby, who funded the construction of the Town Hall as well as other contributions to the community. The Trust for Public Land and Dunstable Rural Land Trust were instrumental in facilitating the acquisition. (Click here to view the town meeting slide presentation, also available as 1.6MB PDF file.)
Conservation Commission Chairman Leah Basbanes' introduction for the presentation summarized the events that preceded the vote at the town meeting and were critical to the success of the project.
Background
The Town of Dunstable is worked with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) in an effort to preserve 149 acres of the Ferrari property as conservation land. TPL is a non-profit conservation organization that assists communities on large conservation projects. They have worked with a number of surrounding communities on similar projects, including Pepperell's acquisition and conservation of Pepperell Springs, and Westford's acquisition and conservation of East Boston Camps. They are currently working with Groton on the conservation of Surrenden Farms. They negotiated a P&S agreement with the Ferraris for the express purpose of getting the land transferred to the town and having the majority of the property set aside as conservation land.
The 159-acre Ferrari property is located off of Mill Street, just west of Salmon Brook. The land is a mix of open and wooded land that includes much of Flat Rock Hill, the fourth-highest hill in Dunstable. Existing trails cross the property and provide connections to other conservation land and open space.
The remaining 10 acres and farm house will be sold to a preservation-minded individual with restrictions to preserve at least the historical facade of the 18th century Read-Parkhurst farm house. The house has historical significance to the town, not only as one of the earlier homes in Dunstable, but also as the birthplace of Sarah Read Roby, who donated the money for construction of the Dunstable Town Hall in 1908.
The land is a key parcel for conservation for the town, because it connects five protected areas owned by the Dunstable Conservation Commission and the Dunstable Rural Land Trust (DRLT) totaling 275 acres. If conserved, the Ferrari property will create a nearly 425-acre block of contiguous open space for passive recreation activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and bird watching.
The following presentation is from the public presentation given on October 11, 2006:
Click on one of the following options to display the presentation:
- Display as slides in a Microsoft-compatible browser, such as Internet Explorer.
- Display ~ 2.8MB PDF file.
NOTE: The only course of action being endorsed and pursued at this point is what is referred to as "Option 1" - to acquire the property through the use of CPA funds.
PROJECT FUNDING UPDATE - Dec 19:
After the town's application for a $500,000 Self-Help grant from the state was denied, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) pursued other funding from the state Division of Conservation Services (DCS), which awarded the Dunstable Conservation Commission nearly $421,000 towards the purchase of the Ferrari Farm.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - February 26
A proposal for the town to take out a 20-year bond for approximately $1.5 million with a declining debt to be paid using CPA revenue each year will be submitted to the newly formed Community Preservation Committee. Town officials expect that the CPC will very likely recommend that use of CPA funds to the town at a Special Town Meeting, tentatively scheduled for December 11. The motion will require a 2/3 majority to pass.
The Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission are actively endorsing the concept of using public and private funds to purchase the Ferrari Farm for conservation purposes and also endorse the sale of the farm house with an historic preservation restriction.
If Dunstable does not acquire the property, it is considered very likely that the property will be sold to a developer. In 2004, a developer applied for a Comprehensive Permit under Chapter 40B that proposed 150 houses to be constructed on the property. (See Tyler Estates (Mill St.) under 40B Projects.)