FORGE VILLAGE — When a discussion on demolishing the historic Town Farm property at 35 Town Farm Road arose in 2019, it was a handful of residents who stepped forward and refused to let the building’s story end.
That led to the creation of the 35 Town Farm Road Task Force, a 12-member committee charged with finding a new purpose for the vacant property while preserving one of Westford’s historic landmarks. More than six years later, with construction on 35 units of affordable senior housing expected to begin this summer, Task Force Chair Ellen Harde said the group’s work is finally coming full circle.
“We saved the Town Farm building,” Harde said. “It was one of the most exciting boards I’ve ever served on because we all wanted the same thing.”
The task force was established after the Select Board began discussing whether to initiate the demolition process for the vacant Town Farm buildings in April 2019. Three residents, including Harde, spoke during the meeting and asked the board to give the community six months to develop an alternative plan.
The Select Board agreed, appointing a task force representing historic preservation, public safety, housing and other community interests.
During those six months, members developed a plan to preserve the historic buildings by converting the property into affordable senior housing while also creating a permanent home for the Westford Food Pantry. The recommendation was accepted, and nonprofit developer CHOICE Inc. was selected to carry the project forward in early 2021.
While the initial vision came together quickly, Harde said the committee faced several major obstacles before the project could move ahead.
Among the biggest challenges was relocating the Fire Department’s training facility, which occupied part of the property. Task force member George Murray helped secure land near the Water Department’s Forge Village Road facility for a replacement training center. Murray also worked with town officials to connect the future housing development to the nearby wastewater treatment facility serving the Blanchard Middle School and the Norman E. Day School, solving another critical hurdle for the project.
“Each person on the task force had a certain expertise,” Harde said. “Everyone worked so well together to bring it all to fruition.”
Once those issues were resolved, responsibility shifted to CHOICE Inc., which spent several years securing state, federal and private funding to make the redevelopment possible. Harde said the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the process but never diminished the group’s confidence that the project would eventually become a reality.
“We just had to learn patience,” Harde said.
The completed development will provide 35 affordable apartments for residents aged 62 and older while giving the Westford Food Pantry a permanent, expanded home. Harde said the pantry’s new location will benefit both the organization and future residents, many of whom will be able to access food assistance without leaving the property.
For Harde, the redevelopment honors the Town Farm’s original purpose of serving residents during times of need.
Although the development represents only a small step toward addressing Westford’s affordable housing needs, Harde believes its impact will be meaningful.
“It’ll make a difference to those 35 people,” Harde said.
