NORTHBOROUGH – Efforts to purchase 432 Whitney St. are moving forward.
The Select Board voted on May 6 to authorize Chair Mitch Cohen to sign the documents related to the town exercising its right of first refusal to purchase the site; this includes the purchase and sale agreement for the property.
During Town Meeting, residents approved an article to use $1.7 million in Community Preservation Act funds to purchase the 23.77-acre property.
The site had been proposed to be sold to Howland Development Corporation, but the town ultimately decided to exercise its right of first refusal to purchase it. Town leaders have said they intend to use the property for open space and recreation and develop a small affordable housing project consisting of four to eight units.
According to Town Administrator Tim McInerney, the purchase and sale agreement must be signed by May 20. The agreement that was in the Select Board’s meeting packet was not the final version of the agreement, he said.
McInerney said the town has been working with its attorney on the agreement; the terms and conditions in the agreement must be the same as those of the private seller. Cohen said the agreement will not be signed until town counsel says it is ready to be signed.
During Town Meeting, several residents expressed concern about the condition of the property. McInerney said the site was walked on May 1.
“Upon leaving [the seller] told me that he would clean up some of the debris that was on the site, some of the trash,” he said.
That language was inserted in the purchase and sale agreement, McInerney said.
According to the agreement, $50,000 must be paid at the time the agreement is signed. After the agreement is signed, the town will go to close on the property after 90 days.