Updated 03.30.11 @ 9:55pm
There is a lot of pent-up interest in the proposals that were recently submitted regarding the RFP put out by the Board of Selectmen for the Stoughton land or Poor Farm. Patience will be in order while the selectmen review the submissions. Missing from the submissions was any proposal from the group Milton Town Farm.
The Milton Town Farm Group, led by local resident Paul Krasinski, had appeared before the selectment on a couple of occassions to their concept of what to do with the land. Their primary idea was to create an agricultural based educational initiative. )You can find their 9/10 presentation here.) It was an innovative concept but the group has chosen not to respond to the RFP. In a letter to supporters Mr. Krasinski states, “As our team reviewed the document, the positioning and the decision criteria for this RFP, became clear that this document was much more of a real estate development bid than an interest in a public service to help the poor of Milton through programs, education, agriculture, opportunities, networks and personal development.” He goes on to say that the decision which was made by the team was a very difficult one and voiced his thanks for the community support he received.
There were 5 responses turned in and delivered to the Selectmen in sealed envelopes. There were also envelopes for the Planning Director and Town administrator. There were two sets of envelopes. One contained the proposal for what would be done with the land. The other contained the price and financial of the proposal. This was done to ensure the proposals would be evaluated on the merit and advantages without influence of monetary concern.
According to Bill Clark, the selectmen will meet to discuss the proposals on April 7th, likely in executive session. The proposals will be made public but that cannot happen until they have been reviewed. The Selectmen have a goal of making a decision by April 21st. Whatever decision they make will be reviewed by the Massachusetts Attorney General and the Probate Court to ensure compliance with the intent of Governor Stoughton’s will. He left the land to benefit the poor of Milton.
There are 5 proposals. They are:
- Mark Donahue, Weston Associates
- The Copeland Family Foundation
- Pulte Homes of New England
- Community Builders Inc.
- Frank Mulligan as manager of the Governor Stoughton Land Preservation
Many are speculating that the Copeland Fundation’s bid is to preserve the property as open green space. Pulte Homes is one of the nation’s top home building firms. They pride themselves in their “green” approach to home building. Weston Associates and Community Builders proposals may involve some mixed use of affordable and/or senior housing. Frank Mulligan is a Milton resident and abutter to the Stoughton property.