By Keith Regan, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Selectmen April 28 voted to transfer control of about 16 acres of land taken by tax title to the Conservation Commission (ConCom), hoping to make it more likely the state will compensate the town if it takes the land for the coming expansion of the Mass Pike/I-495 Interchange.
“There is quite a bit of town-owned swampland basically surrounding the interchange,” said Conservation Commission Chair Andrew Koenigsberg. “The land has no value, but it does have value as a resource area.”
The commission is hopeful that if the land is seen as conservation property, the state will be more likely to compensate the town in kind when the planned expansion and reconfiguration of congested interchange takes place.
That project – in the design and planning stages for years – is expected to cost up to $285 million and isn’t expected to be completed until 2025.
“The thinking … is that the Department of Transportation will want to negotiate for perhaps giving us either monetary compensation we can use to buy open space or trade us land that is open space,” Koenigsberg added. “Portions of the land are right off the interchange where they will be putting new ramps. More than likely some of it will be taken.”
“Basically, we’re hedging our bets,” said Selectmen Chair George Barrette.
In all, three parcels of land in between Flanders Road and the highways were transferred to ConCom control.
One parcel is about 9.5 acres but assessed by the town at just $3,400. Another consists of six acres and is valued at $5,600. The third is six-tenths of an acre and valued at $5,400. All the properties became town-owned after tax title taking.
In other business, the board approved a site plan review for Doug Curtiss Landscape for property at 218 Flanders Road, which is across from Fruit Street near the Hopkinton border. The site will include a small office, material and equipment storage areas. A small abandoned house on the property will be razed.
The board also approved a special farmer’s market liquor license for Zoll Wineries of Shrewsbury. It will be the fourth year that Zoll has offered samples of its products at the seasonal farmer’s market.
In addition, Ernie D’Elia was appointed to a fill a vacancy on the Westborough Cultural Council for a two-year term.
