Andover Select Board Endorses Town Land Swap Proposal

ANDOVER, MA — Town residents will have the opportunity to vote at a Town Meeting on a land swap between two entities of the town government. The proposal, endorsed by the Selectmen at their Jan. 13 meeting, resolves a legal challenge the town is facing: 4.5 acres on Bald Hill, held by the Conservation Commission, are used in violation of the state grant they were bought with, in 1978. The Bald Hill parcel, which has a leaf-composting facility and a dog park, would be exchanged for 7.4 acres on Tewksbury Street, held by the Selectmen.

The town acquired 160 acres, the full Bald Hill land, with a state self-help grant, which required it be used for conservation and passive recreation. It was put under the Conservation Commission's care, custody and control. When the town put the leaf-composting facility and then the dog park on the land, it was told by a state agency that the use was in compliance. But a successor agency has since told the town that neither use qualifies.

The solution is to take the land with non-compliant uses out of the hands of the Conservation Commission and replace it with land with compliant uses. Fortunately, the town, in the care, custody and control of the selectmen, holds 7.4 acres on Tewksbury Street, abutting the Shawsheen River and other Conservation Land.

The Conservation Commission approved the swap at their Jan. 7 meeting. With both boards' approval, granted unanimously, the proposal will still need to go before a town meeting and receive a special act of the legislature.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.