Sudbury Residents Have Mixed Opinions On Sewataro Proposal

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury residents have been arguing fiercely over the proposed purchase of the land at Camp Sewataro. The Board of Selectmen entered into a letter of intent with the owners of the land in April to buy it for $11 million. Since then, Patch has received over 15 letters to the editor, defending either side of the topic.

The land in total is 44 acres and the town plans on paying $11 million for it. To pay for the land, the town planned debt payments for 20 years beginning at $1 million and decreasing through the years with the final payment being $586,000. The average single-family home valued just over $745,000 would pay approximately $2,000 over the life of the bond. The annual tax payments would start at close to $170 and decrease yearly with a final payment of approximately $90, assuming that values held steady.

Sudbury's Town Meeting voted earlier this month to buy the land as well, meaning the topic will be on the ballot on June fourth. A majority vote is required for it to pass in the town-wide election.

The town said in its announcement of the proposal, it would use the land for open space, recreation, preservation and other municipal purposes. The land currently houses a camp and the town has said the camp will continue to function this summer. On Tuesday, May 14, the Board of Selectmen supported the Town Manager’s recommendation to release an Request for Proposals in order to secure a camp operator for the Summer of 2020.

Proponents for the proposal, like Selectman Bill Schineller, argue that the land would be a good addition of outdoor space and a beach to the town. "In one bold stroke, we can buy a ready-made town beach and community park, much like neighboring towns Acton and Wayland offer their residents but Sudbury lacks," Schineller wrote in his letter to the editor. He also said the owners of the land will be forced to shell to developers if the town does not move on the offer.

Opponents of the proposal include Selectman Len Simon. Simon argued in his letter to the editor, that the executive session where the decision to enter into an agreement was made, only included three members of the board, with himself and Selectman Janie Dretler unable to attend. Simon said the land generates over $200,000 annually in real estate tax revenue for the town which will be lost if it is sold. Simon argued the purchase was too expensive, "This is by far the most expensive purchase of town land during my six years on the Board of Selectmen. In fact, it is the most expensive Sudbury land purchase I am aware of."

Residents have written letters to Patch as well, those in favor of the purchase, citing memories of their days at the camp. "You will be hard pressed to find a property in Sudbury that has more meaning to the people of Sudbury and surrounding towns than Sewataro. Whether they have priceless camp memories, like our own three children — countless Sudbury residents find the property to be special and an integral part of the Sudbury community," wrote Jenn & Adam Stone. Other residents acknowledged the land's mark on the town but argued there were other priorities Sudbury should be focusing on. "We have other priorities that need to be addressed now. Using the Fairbank Community Center, and knowing the condition it is in, I know it needs to be replaced with a Community Center," wrote Jeanne Maloney in her letter to the editor.

The final decision will be made by majority vote in Sudbury's town election on June 4.

If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, email samantha.mercado@patch.com.