EDC Ponders Apple Farms Future

Members of the town’s Economic Development Committee met Wednesday, January 15th, at noon remotely. All seven members of the board were in attendance. 

Melanie Hamblen, the board’s coordinator, said she had been approached by a town resident concerning the use of town property for the rental of space for a food truck. Hamblem said other towns do rent space and noted the oftentimes empty municipal parking lot and Blair Square as possible sites.  EDC Chairman John Drohan said the idea would involve the board of health and the zoning board and the project was left in Hamblen’s lap. 

Hamblen said she had been questioned by six different parties concerning the sale of Highland Farm at 635 Highland Street, but when those prospective buyers found out about the restrictions on the property, none pursued a purchase and sales agreement.  The property was sold for 1.9 million dollars to Alan & Lori Roy recently but the Roy’s never questioned Hamblen. It is understood that Mr. Roy was under the impression that a house could be built on the property and the former shop could be used as a muffin house. Restrictions on the property preclude those ideas.

Hamblen also stated that an expert on apple trees had inspected the property and that 80% of the tree’s were unsalvageable as they had not been sprayed in a number of years. The pear tree’s on the property may be saved. Adding to Mr. Roy’s problems: the shop on the property as well as the home next door must be inspected as they have been dormant for the past few years. There may also be sewage problems at the site. Chairman Drohan appointed member Seth Miller who has an interest in apple trees to follow up with Mr. Roy to see how the EDC can help make the property a going concern.

Hamblen also reported that the new owner of Pope Industrial Park (no name given) had spoken to her about modernizing and updating the park.

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