I am curious about a few claims that you state here. Does denying the use of this particular land by the Bean Farm necessarily mean that the farm will cease to exist? If the farm closes or moves, does that necessarily mean that the Beans’ land will be fully developed?
Ms.Sullivan, I think your criticism of Peter Fenn's post is a little unfair.
Mr. Moore, I think it’s very inappropriate that you are projecting “criticism” and me being “upset” onto my comment, as someone who has felt more than welcome to voice your own opinions on this and other posts.
I am not surprised at the speculations on cronyism and quid pro quo. The lack of transparency on an issue centered on one business + the fact that the Bean family are the largest donors to the Chair's campaign is enough to raise this question! Campaign finance records can be found here:
Your Post Misleading and contains a baseless accusation
I am not surprised at the speculations on cronyism and quid pro quo. The lack of transparency on an issue centered on one business + the fact that the Bean family are the largest donors to the Chair's campaign is enough to raise this question!
Mr. Moore, please, could you be more specific about your assertion here, so those readers following this exchange of positions can understand what you are referring to in your brief post?
Hi Mr White
Mr. Christensen, with respect to your comments on the cost of the town meeting. Many residents did reach out to the select board, by email and public comment at select board meetings. You can review the videos of those meetings.
Hello Mr. White - Thank you for this information.
I agree that this is a false choice, but i see the false choice as being between allowing the farm to use the conservation land and losing the farm to development. I support the farm’s success but I don’t believe that this specific land is the only option for them to survive, it is just the most convenient.
Thank you for your thoughts and I wish there was a way for everyone to communicate this topic in person so that the tone and tenor of our voices wouldn't be confused as argumentative or adversarial.
The town is not subsidizing the farm strictly speaking, but they are funding the lawsuit over the use of the land. Based on typical agricultural lease rates, the cost of the litigation is not likely to be recouped by the town.
Well said Mr Moore. To those concerned about the cost of the lawsuit and the indirect benefit to the Bean family, according to a letter from Mr Bean their family was overcharged for property taxes in excess of $40000 which adjusting for inflation would be approximately $100,000.
Can you please confirm that only Westwood residents may sign your petition? That seems important to its stated purpose.
Hi Erin, Change.org does not allow me to restrict anyone from signing the petition. If this were a vote or something similar to your petition calling for Westwood Government to take some action we would need to weed out the signers that are not from Westwood. At points as the word spread they came in fast and furi
Also, respectfully, some issues with your letter:
While I respect your position of supporting the effort to use the meadow, your statement that “WLT is responsible for “monitoring” the property, not deciding what articles to enforce and what exceptions to approve.
The LT also has the authority to deny the approval. They may not unreasonably withhold approval but they also may not, per the CR, grant any approvals that would impair other conservations purposes like preserving the meadow.
We actually went and took a look at this “meadow” when we got our Christmas tree this year. We’re arguing about a couple acres of dirt that directly abuts Bean Farm and has zero external access, except to go through Bean Farm.
Thank you for your great letter. The Select Board just posted a letter of their own. The letter rounds up by stating that their public comment is limited because of the pending lawsuit. The Select Board should have had public discussion first. Now they hide under the vail of a pending lawsuit.
This letter writer has really hit the nail on the head and expressed concerns and frustrations that many residents in town agree with. I also have asked the Selectboard why this litigation is being pursued but am met with no response whatsoever.
This is so well put. It is interesting that the farm has been trying to get access to the meadow since before the current commercial farming operation really restarted. If that’s the case, the issue isn’t about the farm’s current financial situation.
Hi, This article says it all! The secrecy surrounding this issue is extremely disturbing! Is the Select Board using the fact that they have filed a lawsuit as their rationale for not responding publicly? If so, the issue should have been discussed publicly before the lawsuit was filed. The Bean Farm has been
Town of Westwood residents: In order to set the record straight--
Mr. Cronin,
I was awarded a town recognition for my service as a Westwood Library Trustee by Patrick Ahearn on behalf of the Select Board at Town Meeting. I apologize if I mislabeled it and I would advise you to talk to him for corroboration.
Thank you for writing this, Eric! I agree with you completely.
22° and Sunny
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Thank you for this very helpful explanation. I think it’s also important to keep in mind that the Bean Farm has stated that their intention would be to use the land “for generations”, so they have no actual intention of returning the land to a meadow state.