MDC wants Lynn fells property for open space, Town will lose tax revenue
Published on July 17th, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - Some say that the MDC is getting a little greedy; others say maybe so, but that’s better than living with alternatives which could end up hurting a neighborhood.
Last week, the Board of Selectman heard again from the MDC regarding a proposal to purchase 25,000 square feet of land at 2 Lynn Fells Parkway and again voiced concerns about the project.
MDC representative Kenneth Collette said that the MDC wants to buy property from current owner, who owns and operates a retail gas station on land adjacent to the vacant lot. The MDC will pay $675,000 and is interested in developing the land into passive recreation space and granting an easement to neighboring J.J. Grimsby Restaurant for parking.
But if the MDC purchases the lot, the town of Stoneham loses tax revenue since the MDC is exempt from paying property taxes. This does not sit well with Stoneham officials.
"Our overriding concern is loss of tax revenue," said Selectman Chairman Anthony Kennedy, who maintained that the lot "as is" is currently is worth $600,000. If the lot is developed, its value could increase greatly and produce significant additional tax revenue to the town.
"You (MDC) own one-third of the land in Stoneham. You pay nothing in taxes. You pay nothing in lieu of taxes," said Selectman Cosmo Ciccarello. "I can’t understand why you’re interested in 25,000 square feet..."
Its interest is precautionary, Collette insisted. The property was for sale and the MDC was afraid that it would be purchased and developed . The parcel sits across from MDC land and just one lot away from the busy intersection of Lynn Fells Parkway and Pond Street.
"We see it as preventing property development in a sensitive area . That’s part of our statutory mandate."
Many residents of both Stoneham and Melrose agree that development could be disastrous.
One Ravine Road resident said that this is the third time since moving to the area in 1994, that she has had to fight against development in her neighborhood. Her first battle was an earlier proposal to build a Dunkin Donuts on the property in question, followed by the ongoing development project of the former Boston Regional Medical Center property..
"This is a perfect opportunity to at least solve one of the problems in that area...I request that the board support this provided there can be some compensation from the MDC and a commitment that this land will not be used for anything other than parking for J.J. Grimsby’s forever."
One Stoneham resident called the existing lot "a derelict site" and added that the MDC’s plan could only be an improvement
Fellsway East resident Bernie Spellman would like to see the lot used for restaurant parking and prefers Grimsby as a neighbor since, he said, the MDC does not take care of any of its existing property.
A Melrose resident told the board to "let them (MDC) have it," since the property now is overgrown and run down.
Melrose mayor Robert Dolan supported the MDC plan too because he is concerned about increased traffic and public safety which could result from development of the site. Currently, Melrose fire and police are the first response unit to that area of Stoneham. Developing commercial interest there will put added strain on those resources.
"I cannot guarantee proper fire protection if you do not go with the MDC proposal," he said.
State Representative Mike Festa agreed, saying that private development would be bad for the area.
"A Dunkin Donuts or a McDonald’s would really make a mess of that area."
Kennedy pointed out, however, that development of the lot by a private concern would not necessarily result in one of those two high intensity uses. The Board of Selectman has authority to approve or reject any development proposal in its site plan process.
But how would the MDC compensate the town for loss of tax revenue, he wanted to know.
The MDC proposed that it would support legislation to redirect money that J.J. Grimsby will pay the MDC for the parking easement from the state’s general fund to the town of Stoneham.
Festa called this "an excellent compromise" which supports the MDC’s plan for passive recreation, while respecting Stoneham’s right to a fair return on the property. He agreed with Kennedy’s suggestion that the MDC make any plan for the property contingent on such special legislation and added that pushing this legislation through quickly is "doable."
The MDC said it needs approval from the Board of Selectman on its plan for the property prior to July 27 since that date marks the expiration of the commission’s acquisition approval. With no regular meeting scheduled and some members leaving for vacation, the Board will not be able to accommodate that deadline and instead directed Town Counsel Bill Solomon to further research the MDC plan.
In the meantime, Ciccarello asked Collette to find out where $250,000 in unpaid MDC water and sewer bills is and when it will be paid to the town. Ciccarello said that the MDC has pointed fingers at the zoo and the MWRA as reasons for nonpayment but in the meantime, residents have had to pay higher rates to make up for the MDC’s delinquency.
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