Land deals finalized
By Caitlyn Kelleher

Residents in the Vinton Pond area of Townsend and Ashby no longer have to worry about development along the pond.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation finalized the deal on the land for just about $2 million, which includes the conservation rights for the land.

Town officials have been working with DCR officials and the land's owner for three months to purchase the land.

The conservation rights, which prohibit any building on the land including that by the state, was bought by the town's water department and the Friends of the Willard Brook State Park, said Town Administrator Gregory Barnes.

All of the buildings that were related to Camp Starfish, Inc. - the previous occupants of the land - will be taken down and removed. This is happening because the land is the town's watershed area.

Barnes said it was "property best left undeveloped."

Townsend Planning Board saw two sets of plans for housing on this property in February. The board denied a cluster-subdivision but granted 10 approval not required proposal by developer Robert P. Kiley.

The lots are designed on a 75.76-acre parcel of land.

Kiley bought the land for $1,156,000 from Camp Starfish, Inc., according to the deed.

The land around Vinton Pond is just one of the major land acquisitions the town is making.

According to Barnes, the Donald R. Torres Estate will donate the two parcels of land it owns on West Meadow Road, if they are relieved of paying any legal or closing cost fees. They also want a sign put up on the land that honors Donald Torres.

Barnes said the local land trust seemed interested in acquiring the land, and hopes they will pay the costs associated with it too. He estimated it would cost around $10,000 for the two parcels. Close to 80 acres in size, it will become conservation land with some restrictions on it.

-  - Caitlyn Kelleher can be reached at (978) 827-3386, ext. 15, or e-mail: caitlynkelleher@aol.com