2017-04-13-CPC-ATM-rpt (Update #2)

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ARTICLE 10 (g) Project: Wright Farm Supplemental Funds CPA Category: Open Space Amount Requested: $87,701 Amount Recommended: $87,701 CPC Vote: (8-0) Project Description: The 2012 and 2015 Annual Town Meetings authorized the purchase of the 13.6 acre Wright Farm property, including the existing farmhouse and barn. LexHAB subsequently determined that the farmhouse was suitable for affordable housing purposes and the acquisition also allowed the Conservation Commission to incorporate the barn, driveway and parking area into the existing conservation parcel and adjacent open spaces. Following the purchase, an environmental site assessment revealed high concentrations of lead in the soil near the barn, likely from agricultural pesticide preparation. This resulted in higher remediation costs than originally anticipated under the FY16 request. FY18 funds will supplement the legal work, site assessment work and land management originally associated with the 2015 purchase of the second parcel. This supplemental appropriation will also assist with the preparation and filing of the affordable housing deed restriction and fund the monitoring of the restriction by the grantee. The Wright Farm Barn Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study (previously authorized under Article 8(g) by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting) is now proceeding, as the site assessment is nearing completion. Since the time of the original FY18 request, further testing concluded that the contaminated soil excavated from the site was considered hazardous waste. Due to this classification, federal regulations require that the hazardous material be transported to Canada for disposal instead of a landfill in New Hampshire, as originally planned. This unforeseen international transport and additional costs associated with the site professional have increased the FY18 supplemental request from $37,900 to $87,701. Project Goals and Objectives: Provide supplemental funds to complete the site assessment originally funded under Article 9 of the 2015 Annual Town Meeting. Project Benefit: The supplemental funds will allow for the completion of the work previously approved under Article 9. Funding Request: The revised FY18 request is for $87,701 to supplement $618,000 previously appropriated by the 2015 Annual Town Meeting under Article 9. 3