Town Votes to Buy Farmland

The selectmen voted to approve the purchase of a 1.79 acre parcel of farmland on Harrington Avenue that provides a link between two other town-owned lands along the Assabet River.

The Marshall Farm will continue to be used for agriculture, said Town Manager Chris Whelan. He has a draft Purchase and Sale agreement. The land must be advertised according to Chapter 30b of the state laws.

According to an official record of the selectmen's vote to buy the land, the three contiguous parcels will "enlarge the contiguous town-owned area available for farming in Concord in the future."

"In addition, a portion of the property has considerable frontage along the Assabet River, and linking the property to the abutting land owned by Concord will provide for continuous frontage along the Assabet River and foster passive recreation.

The land "will not benefit" the town government because the sale will include a lease to Richard Marshall, the seller, and his family.

Marshall Farm is a long-standing farmstand selling flowers and produce grown on Harrington Avenue.