Agawam won't buy farm land
Source: The Republican, by DAVID BERGENGREN
April 08, 2008
AGAWAM - The City Council voted unanimously last night to waive the city's right of first refusal to purchase nine acres of agricultural land at 141 Rowley St., where a local contractor wants to build nine single-family houses.
Agawam had the right of first refusal because the property is in a real estate classification for agricultural land that gives it a favorable tax rate. When such property is about to be sold, the municipality has the right to buy it by meeting the agreed-upon purchase price, which in this case is $599,000.
With recommendations against making the purchase from its Finance Subcommittee and the Conservation Commission, the council, with little discussion, voted 11-0 not to excise the purchase option.
"The town can't afford it," council president Gina M. Letellier said after last night's meeting, referring to the $599,000 price tag.
"I think it's a reflection of the state of the economy, that people can't afford to be farmers," she said, "So there'll be homes on it, and we'll increase our tax base."
Letellier said she didn't see that as a positive or a negative, but "just a sign of the times."
"It was just too expensive," agreed councilor Jill S. Messick, who also serves on the Conservation Commission.
Pointing to the city's 2006 Open Space and Recreation Plan, Messick said the preservation of open space and agricultural land was "one of the things that people in town would like to see, but there's limited funds."
The Conservation Commission is on the lookout for suitable parcels the city might be able to acquire and preserve in the future, she said.
Director of Planning and Community Development Deborah S. Dachos also recommended against the city exercising its purchase option.
Property owner Donald Lango of Springfield said he was happy with the council's decision last night.
Lango - who owns the nine acres with his mother Dorathy C. Lango of Springfield and his aunt Amelia J. Lango of 141 Rowley St. - said the family had farmed the parcel, or leased it to be farmed, since 1917 when his grandfather farmed it.
"For years, it was leased to the Morrises right across the street," Donald Lango said. It was generally farmed in vegetables, he said.
Local contractor Roy E. Benjamin, who is buying the property, said he hoped to start construction on the development called Longo Estates by this summer.
"It's an excellent area. There's all single-family homes in the area (now)," said Benjamin, who said he planned to build "reasonably priced" houses on the parcel that will sell for under $400,000 each.
"With the housing market the way it is right now," Benjamin said, he hopes to pre-sell each of the houses before building them.
The houses will be one-story ranches or two-story colonials with three to four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and two-car garages, he said.
