Northborough Debates Indian Meadows Purchase

"You know everything we know," insisted Northborough Town Administrator John Coderre.

In a jam-packed meeting room Monday night, the Northborough Board of Selectmen discussed issues surrounding the possible purchase of the The meeting did not include a public hearing, as the board is still seeking information on what they call an involved and potentially confusing matter.

Officials said they need an updated agreement, and more information, before they can begin to discuss the possibility of purchasing the land.

A purchase and sale agreement for $1.9 million has been drawn up between IM Gold, which owns , and New England Baseball Enterprises. According to the agreement, if purchased, the land would become the home of the New England Ruffnecks, a baseball development program for children between 13 and 18. It would encompass four baseball diamonds.

Thus far, it has been reported that the town has first right of refusal and must act within 120 days of the agreement. Under Massachusetts General Law, the portion of land that sits in Northborough, which is 63 acres, is designated as recreational land, which gets significant tax breaks from the town for the designation.

Calling upon the town's legal team, the town administrator said that because not all of the land sits in Northborough (roughly six acres, and all of the buildings, are located in Westborough), the $1.9 million figure wouldn't be applicable for consideration for the town. A new agreement would have to be drawn up to be able to vote on a consideration of purchasing it.

"The town has 120 days to act," said Coderre, "and I don't know about you, but I think this is a significant purchase. There is not a lot of time to review options and financing and what it can be used for. This is somewhat of a unique parcel; you have a purchase and sale for two parcels located in two towns, and the part in Northborough is the land designated as recreational. The 1.9 million is not only for Northborough. These are all questions we had, too."

Based on recommendations from town counsel, the town issued a letter on Thursday to the sellers of the property, indicating that "in order to review this, we need to know what we are talking about in terms of price. The offer that had come in was a package deal, and we don't have the right to the portion in Westborough. The town only has a right to the portion in Northborough, so we need clarification of that value of that parcel."

Coderre stressed that because there are unanswered questions, the 120-day deadline has not started ticking yet.

After receiving news of the potential purchase, Coderre requested opinions from boards and committees in town. The Open Space Committee voted 5-0 in favor of pursuing investigating what uses the town could use the property for, and recommended that the town buy it. The Conservation Commission, the Planning Commission and the Recreation Commission will also provide recommendations to the Board of Selectmen.

"I don't want people walking out of here in panic mode," said board member Leslie Rutan. "I want people to be assured that they will be notified. People shouldn't feel like they are in the dark. I've gotten a ton of emails, and I have to say they are the most well-written emails I have ever seen. I want to thank people, and we are happy to hear from people."

Amberson echoed Rutan's sentiments, and urged concerned residents to contact the board members.

Residents who live in the abutting neighborhoods are not in favor of the land turning into a baseball complex. There are, according to one of the residents who stood outside after the meeting, roughly 160 neighbors who have formed a coalition against the baseball organization coming to town.

"I have heron in my yard," said one woman. "I mean, I love baseball, but this will just completely change everything there."