2010 Case Update
AT WESTON'S MAY TOWN MEETING voters will have the opportunity to choose (by a majority vote) between two different plans to remediate pesticide contamination at the Case Estates.
Background
At Town Meeting on November 8, 2006 the voters of Weston unanimously approved the purchase of the 62.5 acre Case Estates from Harvard University for $22.5 million.
Contamination and Remediation
The Town’s acquisition has been stalled by the discovery, just prior to the scheduled closing in December 2006, of residual pesticide contamination. At that time, the purchase contract was revised so that the closing would occur only after Harvard completed (and paid for) remediation of this contamination in accordance with the regulations established by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") and in a manner acceptable to the Board of Selectmen.
Original Remediation Plan
The Board of Selectmen and Harvard agreed to a cleanup plan (the “original plan”) that requires the excavation and removal of all of the contaminated soil and replacement with clean soil. This approach would eliminate existing vegetation on about 15 acres, but would not impose DEP restrictions on future use of the 15 acres.
Alternative Hybrid Plan
In response to concerns from residents, Harvard has proposed an alternative remediation plan (the “hybrid plan”) that is also consistent with the state's regulations but that will preserve three areas where mature vegetation would be lost under the original plan. This hybrid plan involves a less intrusive clean up approach in these three areas, but would require that the relevant seven acres be subject to certain DEP required passive use restrictions. For example, hiking trails would be allowed but farming activities would not. For more information on these two remediation plans, please visit the Town's website.
Ownership of Land
Under the original remediation plan, the Town would acquire title to the entire 62.5 acre Case Estates parcel. Under the hybrid plan, Harvard would retain ownership of the three restricted-use parcels, but Weston will receive a conservation restriction on this land, easements to permit public access, and an option to acquire the parcels in the future for $1.00 each. Either remediation plan requires review by Weston’s Planning Board, and the issuance of a Special Permit by Weston’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
Purchase Price
If the hybrid plan for the Case Estates is approved at Town Meeting, Harvard will reduce the Town's purchase price by $3 million. Of this $3 million, approximately $1.8 million will be returned to the Town's general fund and $1.2 million will be credited to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). The Weston Conservation Commission has voted unanimously to recommend that the CPC re-apply these funds to preserving more of the Case Estates land when it is ultimately acquired by the Town.
TOWN MEETING: May 10 and May 12 (if needed) in the Weston High School auditorium
A YES vote on Article 30 supports the alternative hybrid remediation plan.
A NO vote on Article 30 supports the original remediation plan.
Write Your Own Letter to the Editor
Continue to send the message that preserving the Case Estates should be a priority of Weston's voters! Address your electronic letter to Michael Wyner, Editor of the Wayland-Weston Town Crier, at mwyner@cnc.com. Letters should be received by Monday morning to be printed in that Thursday's paper.
