by Frank Schroth
The Board of Selectmen issued a statement on the status of the Hendries development. Katie Conlon, Chair of the Selectmen, made the statement at last night’s meeting of the board. (Note: we were not present at the session. The following transcript that was emailed to us courtesy of the Selectmen):
The Board of Selectmen believes that the highest and best use of the Town-owned property at 0 Central Avenue is to combine it with the property at 131 Eliot Street, which is owned by Carrick Realty Trust, and to build a mixed-use, commercial and residential development on the site.
To that end, at the suggestion of Senator Brian Joyce and through the efforts of many Town employees, Town Counsel and elected officials, and thanks to the support of Governor Patrick, the Town obtained special legislation authorizing us to acquire a small parcel, title to which has been unclear, and to convey that parcel ans the Town’s parcel to Carrick for fair value as determined by the Board of Selectmen. The sale would be contingent upon Carrick obtaining a special permit from the Planning Board.
The Board of Selectmen is committed to negotiating in good faith with Carrick Realty Trust to achieve an outcome that will be in the best interest of the Town. There are important issues at play. Achieving more affordable housing in Milton is an important objective of the Board. So too is preserving what little business space we can, given that the property is located in a business district, and that the Town has a small commercial tax base that has shrunk even more in recent times. Traffic and the adequacy of parking in the Central Ave/ Eliot St business district are also important considerations.
We have reached out to Mr. Connelly, the principal of Carrick Realty, and we are hopeful that we will reach an agreement that produces a mixed-use development and a positive outcome for the Town and Carrick. Mr. Connelly has a business to run but he is also our neighbor and we believe he will work with us to achieve the best outcome for an important gateway to our Town.
” fair value ” seems to be an important variable in this saga but , at present , undefined.
I would suggest that the Town seek a professional appraisal from the same appraiser that Mass Housing used to appraise the Carrick LLC property. This property was appraised by the Town at $ 500, 000 but appraised at. $ 2,000,000 by the Mass Housing appraiser for purposes of transfer from one Connelly controlled LLC to another LLC , also controlled by Mr. Connelly .
Using simple math , the Town’s parcel, appraised at $ 250,000 should be reappraised, using Mass Housing methodology , at $ 1,000,000 for purposes of transfer.
This whole situation gets stranger by the minute but I am confident that both sides will come together and do what is in the best interest of each other and the Town of Milton.
The Hendries “Saga” makes DeMoulas Market Basket kerfuffle seem like child’s play.