Politics & Government
Worcester Buys 132 Acres In Rutland, Holden To Protect Watershed
The nearly $700,000 acquisition approved by City Council this week will grow a land barrier around the Quinapoxet Reservoir.
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester just grew by taking more than 100 acres from Holden and Rutland.
The Worcester City Council on Tuesday approved the friendly eminent domain taking of about 132 acres — known as the Namiotka property — southwest of the Quinapoxet Reservoir. The city is acquiring the land to protect the reservoir's wider watershed.
"The forested property includes wetlands and streams that contribute to the aforementioned Worcester reservoir. This acquisition would prevent development of the land and assure that it remains in a natural condition in perpetuity to protect the health of the city’s drinking water supply," Department of Public Works Commissioner Jay Fink wrote in a memo to councilors.
Worcester will compensate the property owners: $126,500 to the Namiotka family and $573,500 to Newport Realty Trust. The new parcel, which won't be open for recreation, is located near the corner of Route 68 and Bryant Road, straddling the border of Rutland and Holden.
Worcester already owns all the land surrounding the Quinapoxet Reservoir, plus the area surrounding Maple Spring Pond directly south of the reservoir. The reservoir is the main source of drinking water for Worcester.
