Transparency Check: Why Continuing the WLT Lawsuit Defies Economic Logic

Transparency Check: Why Continuing the WLT Lawsuit Defies Economic Logic

As of last month, town officials had reported a cost of approximately $16,000 related to the lawsuit they filed against the non-profit, Westwood Land Trust. However, the actual cost is much higher and should be considered when determining whether to abandon the legal action. The lawsuit is simply a power move that is divisive and extremely costly, at a time when town finances are at their most vulnerable.

Everyone knows we are facing the rebuilding of FS1 and a probable rebuild of the Middle School and possibly the Sheehan School. These are significant KNOWN costs we are facing. Additional unexpected costs will, no doubt, further the increasing tax burden for residents. So why is the Select Board pursuing a divisive and costly lawsuit about our public land? Westwood residents have long treasured our public open spaces and fought to preserve them. There is no benefit to our common good by turning public conservation land into a private commercial enterprise for a single family/entity.

Some believe that the tax and leasing fees garnered from such a conversion makes it worth the effort of a legal battle. Here are the facts….

• In August, 2025 the town turned down an offer from Ellen & Duncan McFarland, the original landowners/donors, to ‘re-purchase’ the land. The offer was $475,000
• The USDA/NASS, (the primary statistical agency for the USDA), who tracks the value of agricultural metrics nationally, has determined that leased, agricultural, non-irrigated land, such as Clapboardtree Meadow, in Norfolk County, MA is worth approximately $73/per acre per year or a total of $584/per year for 8 acres.
• Taxes on the 8 acres would be about $50/year
• The town has acknowledged $16,000 already spent on legal fees
• The Conservation Restriction requires the town to pay the WLT legal fees regardless of who wins the lawsuit

But let’s consider only the $475,000 offer the Select Board rejected, as the amount we need to recoup, and use the USDA data to estimate our lease fees. Third grade math indicates, it will take 813 years to recapture the money we’ve walked away from. With all the financial needs Westwood is facing in the very near future…813 years seems like a very long time to wait. We could use that money right now!

Only one current Select Board candidate, Erin Sibley, wants the town to drop the lawsuit. The other candidate, Mike Walsh, believes it should continue. Elections have consequences. How long are you willing to wait to see change?

-Kevin Becker