WESTBOROUGH – Although formal plans have yet to go before town boards, the McGovern Auto Group took a big step recently with the former Green Thumb nursery site at 371 Turnpike Road.
When the business purchased the former nursery from the McGoldrick family in 2022, the property had an agricultural deed restriction put on by the state, according to Jonathan Steinberg of the assessor’s office.
“In order to change the use, they had to go through a process with DCAMM [Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance] to get the property appraised as a restricted agricultural property and as an unrestricted property with allowed use under existing zoning,” said Steinberg.
McGovern Auto Group paid the state $1.7 million in compensation in order to have the restriction removed.
“The appraisal process was defined by legislation and was reviewed by the inspector general prior to the property being released,” said Steinberg.
The closing and lien release was recorded at the Worcester Registry of Deeds on Friday, Feb. 10.
RELATED CONTENT
Westborough Chief Assessor gives update on former Green Thumb property
