Busa Land: Officials Soliciting Comments on Draft RFP

Lexington’s Board of Selectmen has drafted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for leasing the property for agricultural use, and is socliciting comments on the RFP until Sept. 21.

Those comments should be sent to selectmen@lexingtonma.gov, and questions should be addressed to the Selectmen's Office at that email address or or 781-862-0500 x208, according to a press release from the town.

The town purchased the Busa Farm property on Lowell Street back in 2009 and, earlier this year, officials opted to move forward with a plan to keep the land largely in agricultural use, with a smaller portion reserved for affordable housing. Playing fields were also part of the consideration, dating back to the original proposal to use Community Preservation Act funds to support the land acquisition.

Due to the CPA involvment in the purchase, officials are required to delineate the uses of the land. This RFP will seek proposals for an agricultural use for approximately 7 acres of the town-owned land.

Throughout discussions about the Busa Land use, a "community farm" has been a popular concept. To that end, a farmstand and/or CSA operation and the expectation of educational programs for community members are spelled out in the draft RFP.

The terms of the lease in the draft are for a 10-year term with an option to extend the leas for two additional five-year terms. The full draft RFP is available for viewing on the town website.

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