OPINION: Resident Supports Bean Farm, Urges Citizen Participation at Monday's Special Town Meeting

The following opinion article represents the views and opinions of the author, and not necessarily those of Westwood Minute.

By Allison Drescher, Contributor

There has been some recent controversy in town, regarding the future of the Bean Farm, and some confusion too.

What is really at stake for the town of Westwood, as we navigate this latest incident?

Quite a bit.

Most importantly, the rich agricultural history of Westwood. Potential housing development of former farmland. And, in the mix, a competent and hardworking young man, Chris Bean, who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of agriculture, at Cornell University (acceptance rate hovers around 10%).

As well as a precedent being set by the Land Trust about how they currently do business in the town of Westwood. Who exactly makes leadership decisions for the town’s assets? The Select Board or the Land Trust? Who owns the land?

Many attempts at communication and compromise have been made. Much time has been spent on this. It is the Land Trust who has been unyielding, not the Select Board. If you don’t do what we, the Land Trust, dictate, we’ll buy the land back? How is that a virtue? It strikes as odd. And strangely dictatorial.

These are all things that should be considered carefully by all residents and voters at Monday’s February 2 Town Meeting – Westwood High School Gymnasium, 6:30 PM (Meeting) Check-In begins at 5:30 PM.

An often-asked question, is WHY is the Select Board suing?

Well, the land was purchased and given to the town. The only mechanism to counter this predicament, was for the Select Board to act. The land in question is owned by the Town of Westwood – i.e. the taxpayers.

Are we to litigate every use for every parcel overseen by the Land Trust? What kind of precedent would that set?

Why is the land trust so opposed to farming or agriculture as a use for the property? That remains unclear. Agricultural use is written into the documentation. Personally, the answer to preserve a meadow, which was likely farmland at one point, does not seem compelling to me. Or rational.

There is a difference of opinion on the interpretation of the language within the contract of how the property can be used. When parties disagree in situations such as this, our legal system is designed to turn to a third party – the court system. Here we are. It is no longer our decision to make.

Yes, the Last Trust are stewards of the property in relation to the work they do. However, it is ultimately the Select Boards decision and responsibility to do what they deem best for the town.

I’m not impartial – my father owns a working farm in Rhode Island. Having a deep and personal connection with farms, I support agriculture.

How could some residents in the town position themselves in such a hostile position to the Bean’s? I frankly find myself mystified. Are we not in a present movement to provide organically raised beef? To support small business? To raise up the youth in our towns? To eat better and use our land resources more soundly?

People often ask me why I don’t run for office. For one, my son attends private school – the people who run town government should, in my opinion, should be invested in WPS. In addition, it is the youth who should lead. So, for the young families out there – Run for office, get involved. Especially if you find yourself unhappy with the town’s present direction.

Turn up and turn out – see you at WHS on Monday February 2! Your voice is important and required to make town government be more of a reflection of the way you’d like it to be.

Thanks to Allison Drescher for contributing this opinion article to Westwood Minute. Ms. Drescher is a resident of Westwood, a principal and manager of a family-owned real estate portfolio in and around Boston, and president of the Small Property Owners Association. She can be reached at westwoodtaxpayers@gmail.com.

Westwood Minute takes no position on the opinion articles that it publishes, but seeks accurate and thoughtful commentary on topics that matter to our community, from a variety of differing viewpoints. Feel free to reply with your reaction below, or submit another perspective to WestwoodInAMinute@gmail.com.

For hyperlocal news, opinion, and events, subscribe to Westwood Minute!

You may also be interested in:

- OPEN LETTER from WEAC to Westwood Select Board: Agricultural Practices on Conservation Land Will Destroy Fragile Ecosystems and Wetlands

- Massachusetts Farm Bureau - Working Lands: A Conservation Approach Used by Land Trusts (Community Page Opinion)

- A Reminder that the Conservation Land on Clapboardtree Street belongs to all Town Residents, not Just the Three Members of the Select Board (Community Page Opinion)

- Westwood Special Town Meeting (Calendar event)