Braintree Land Purchase Blocks 96-Unit Apartment Complex

BRAINTREE, MA — Mayor Charles Kokoros said the town bought one of the oldest homes in Braintree, preventing the property from becoming a 96-unit apartment complex.

By purchasing the property from developer George Clements, Braintree now owns 1.8 acres of land at the intersection of Liberty and Grove streets, including the Nash-Penniman House. Kokoros worked with Planning Director Melissa SantucciRozzi to complete the $1.36 million purchase, which was paid for with Community Preservation Act funds.

The home was built in 1693, making it one of Braintree's oldest houses. Kokoros said the purchase allows the town to preserve the house, use more than half the property for open space and use the rest for commercial development.

"Today is an exciting day for our community as we were able to purchase a historic home in our town that will now be preserved for generations to come," Kokoros said in a statement Wednesday. "Since last June I have been working with Ms. SantucciRozzi to rezone this area and her leadership and expertise in planning were key components to the success of the project. Today’s purchase ensures that the property will be redeveloped in a responsible manner and that its future use will be consistent with the neighborhood and in the best interests of our residents."