If you have news, email jcrane@westfordcat.org.
A group of residents opposed to the development of the parcel at 66 Boston Road is holding an informational discussion billed as “Save Drew Gardens,” on Sunday, Feb. 26, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln St., Westford.
Drew Gardens is a 9-acre parcel containing three Agricultural Preservation Restrictions of approximately 3 acres each. Town Meeting in 1996 authorized the town to purchase the development rights for the parcel and to preserve the restrictions “in perpetuity.” The purchases were accomplished between 1997 and 1999 when the town paid a total of $525,000 to resident Keith Bohne who owned the land at the time.
In February 2016 Groton Developer Ebrahim “Ebi” Masalehdan purchased the land from previous owner Tom Goddard of North Reading for $650,000. Masalehdan’s attorney, Paul Alphen, filed two citizen’s petitions for the March 25 annual Town Meeting. As listed in the warrant, Article 19 seeks to amend one of the restrictions to allow the construction of a 15,000 square foot farm-to-table restaurant to be built with a parking area and septic system.
Article 20 would authorize selectmen to seek a state liquor license for the restaurant.
