Town to Host Public Hearing Concerning Wright-Locke Farm

The Winchester Board of Selectmen will hold an informational and public input hearing concerning the development alternatives for the Wright-Locke Farm property at 7:30 p.m. June 5 at Town Hall in the Waterfield Room, according to a press statement.

"Several options will be presented for consideration for the preparation of a Request for Proposal for public bid on the sale of the designated Wright-Locke Farm property," reads the statement. "The Board of Selectmen welcomes comments and ideas for consideration in developing the Request for Proposal." 

The town acquired the property in 2007 to prevent dense multi-family development and later formed the Conservancy to run the farm, according to the report. The farm has been in operation since 1638, the report adds.

In 2011, after the first year of successful agricultural operations, the town granted the Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy a 30-year lease on 7.6 acres of the 20-acre parcel that abuts the 100-acre Lexington Conservation land, according to the Conservancy's report released for the spring Town Meeting. Meanwhile, there is uncertainty as to what will come of the remainng 12.4 acres after one developer defaulted and another proposal was deemed unworthy, according to the report.

"The Conservancy and its many friends are concerned about the possible development of Wright-Locke Farm," reads the report. "Although we understand the difficulties of the town's budget, we question the prudence of selling the remaining acreage not currenty controlled by the Conservancy. Fortunately, for the next five years carrying costs for the 20 acres are only $35,000, or $5 per household per year."

Crop sales, events and farm education are the three forms of income that help cover the annual operating costs at the farm, according to the report. Private grants and community fundraising have helped cover capital expenditures, which there have been several of since 2009 totaling nearly $300,000, the report notes. Some of the capital projects include building repair ($131,551), new bathroom ($96,241), greenhouse ($25,348), tractor and spader ($24,350), BCS walk-behind tractor ($11,093) and chicken coops for $3,130, according to the report.

The Conservancy assumed control of the farm five years ago and in that time has accomplished a number of initiatives, including re-roofing, repairing and installing security and electricity systems at all five main buildings on the property, cut and maintained public hiking trails and hired full-time seasonal staff such as an executive director, farmer and educational coordinator, according to the report.

Contributed support nearly doubled 2012 to present, as the farm received $242,507 compared to $132,430 from 2009-2011, according to the report. 

"In the past 12 months we have received donations from 658 families," reads the report. "Hundreds of volunteers weed, plant, harvest, and do carpentry and grounds maintenance."

The farm typically sees thousands of raspberry pickers, walkers, skiers, picknickers and explorers, according to the report. The farm also hosts several local nonprofit organizations, school groups and church and temple groups, according to the report.

"Last year in our first year of elementary school-age Farm Education classes, we enrolled over 150 children," reads the report, adding that the farm is on track to double enrollment this year. "In one of our most prized programs, we have 20 families taking responsibility for the care of our 80 chickens, coming to the farm twice a day during their revolving chicken care weeks."

Some of the animals that have been spotted on the property include coyotes, turkeys, hawks, deer and foxes, according to the report.

Can't make the June 5 public session at Town Hall? Let us know what you think should be done with the remaining acreage at Wright-Locke Farm by posting a comment below.