Medfield Town Meeting to Consider Red Gate Farm Land Purchase

A large tract of undeveloped land is available for the town to purchase at the original Red Gate Farm, between Philip and Foundry streets.

The property, which covers nearly 31 acres, would allow town-owned access to existing conservation land used by scouts, which now is accessed only by a narrow right of way near private property. Advocates for a purchase say the town hasn't had an opportunity to assemble that amount of protected land in decades.

But a development team on Tuesday argued that the 7-lot subdivision approved for the land already protects what the town wants to preserve, including the view of the hay fields from Philip Street, and the public access to the existing, 25-acre town-owned conservation land.

Voters at an Oct. 7 Medfield Town Meeting will decide whether the town should purchase the land, at a price of $1.4 million. If you aren't already a registered voter, registration to vote ends Friday for the meeting.

Medfield Selectmen on Tuesday invited the development team for the Red Gate Farm subdivision to speak about its plans. Michael Viano, a manager of RGL Ventures of Walpole, explained that the town has a right of first refusal to purchase the land, which had previously had a tax reduction for forestry. Once the land leaves that designation, the town has the right to purchase it first.

If Town Meeting approves the purchase, a subsequent election for an override of Proposition 2.5 would be required.

The property was long held by the Kenny family, and is now owned by Robin Kenny. Under the development proposed by RGL Ventures, the scenic vista of the Philip Street hayfields will be preserved. The plans have already received approval from town boards, including the Planning Board, the Conservation Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, Viano said.

He explained: The site will be accessed by a private road, called Red Gate Lane, ending in a cul-de-sac. The lot count was reduced from 10 allowed to seven. Wetlands are preserved and the property will use a wooden bridge to eliminate any disturbance. All construction will be behind tree lines. The view of the hayfields from Philip Street will be protected through a state conservation restriction. No driveway construction will connect to Foundry Street.

Access to te 25-acre conservation land, for pedestrians and town maintenance equipment, will be provided through a 15-foot wide trail easement.

"We recognize that the town has an important decision to make and in doing so must balance the cost of $1.4 million with the benefits to be got from buying the land," Viano said. "When doing so, we ask that the voters and the boards consider the benefits already achieved through the plan as approved, which have no associated cost to the taxpayers."