Town Considers Purchasing Peaceful Valley Farm (complete article from source)
Source: westport-news.com, by Frances Moore
February 22, 2007
The ongoing quest for space in Westport can now include a 12.2-acre property at 109 Morningside Drive. Peaceful Valley Farm, a farm property owned by the Kowalsky family, was recently put up for sale, with a listing price of $16.2 million.
"All I can say at the moment is we've been in contact with representatives from the family and have expressed an interest in possibly acquiring it, but it is a steep price," First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said. "I've got department heads taking a look at it and have discussed possible purchase with some members of various town boards."
In fact, he said, in the Land Acquisition Committee's 2000 report, it identified it as medium-to-high priority for future town acquisition for open space, a park or athletic fields.
The land, which was originally the property of Frederick T. Bedford, was purchased in 1964 by brothers Paul, Joe and Edward Kowalsky, the original owners of Kowalsky Bros. Inc. General Contractors. Paul Kowalsky and his wife lived on the property for years, caring for the land and the animals, but the entire family always helped out, and the Kowalsky brothers' children grew up working on the farm.
"Farming was not really our hobby, it was my uncle's [Paul's] hobby," said
Joe Kowalsky's son, Gary Kowalsky, who now runs Kowalsky Bros. Inc. General Contractors along with his uncle, brothers and cousin. "We'll be sad to see it go, but we have other interests to pursue."
The property now consists of 12.2 acres, including a pond, and is listed for $16.2 million, with an additional annual property tax of $5,176, according to the property's Realtor, John D. Hastings Inc. Right now it is being sold as one lot, and the Kowalskys aren't looking to break it up into pieces.
"I would like to see it bought by a person who would not necessarily want to go and build multiple housing," Gary said. He said that he'd heard the rumors that the Town of Westport has looked at the property, and would be happy to see it go toward municipal use.
Though the property and the animals are owned by the Kowalsky family, in recent years they have rented out the house, and the day-to-day maintenance has been the responsibility of the renters.
The animals will go to a farmer in Oxford with whom the Kowalskys have a long-standing relationship.
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