Despite Proposal, Town Farm Unlikely to Grow This Fall

Though a pair of representatives from the Milton Town Farm Educational Trust, a recently formed nonprofit organization, were prepared to begin work on the Governor Stoughton Land this fall the Board of Selectmen and the community made it clear Thursday, more time is needed.

Paul Krasinski and Bob Daylor appeared before the Selectmen, who act as the trustees of the land, for the second time to present a three-phase implementation plan to transition the 36-acre trust into a functioning farm with an educational and youth development program.

The land, which currently has a few old buildings including a barn and the Milton Animal League, was endowed to the town for the purpose of benefiting the poor of Milton, according to the will.

The Milton Town Farm Educational Trust would be predicated on youth development, agriculture, education and green energy. The program would function as an after-school and summer course for students in grades 7-11, with an emphasis on those in need.

The program would focus on math, science, technology and engineering all centered on the work at the farm. Krasinski explained the programs would lead to career development for students and their families in the growing organic agricultural industry.

Food from the farm would also be given to the Milton Food Pantry to directly benefit low-income families.

Krasinski and Daylor laid out a plan that would begin this fall with clearing five acres of land and planting plant-stabilizing crops. Phase one would also include restoring the Alms House and rebuilding the barn.

The second phase of the plan would be highlighted by planting crops, continuing building restoration, establishing a farmers market area and rebuilding the animal shelter.

The final phase would include the building of a 17,000 square foot education center. A potential access road from Unquity Road would be considered in this step.

Krasinski and Daylor brought a draft memorandum of understanding that would allow work on phase one to begin while the town and the organization ironed out the rest of the plan. Clearing the land this fall, Krasinski and Daylor contended, would allow the farm to benefit the town and the poor much quicker.  The Selectmen seemed to agree there were too many questions to move forward last night.

After the presentation, plenty of issues came to light regarding the proposal, especially the quick start afforded by the memorandum of understanding.

Selectmen Robert Sweeney began the meeting by stating it was time to take a step forward with the trust. When Krasinski referenced those comments in favor of beginning work this year, Sweeney was quick to clarify he was in favor of pursuing a National Historic Registry listing for the property.

"Yeah, lets move, but let's not move too fast," Sweeney said, adding he felt the presenters were rushing into action.

Krasinski counter that 10 months of research and work was not rushing, and questioned the need for a historic designation before work could start.

"Right now, it's unclear to me how a historic designation benefits the poor of Milton," said Krasinski, who said he is open to the designation later in the process.

Aside from the merits of a historic listing, the discussion was largely consumed by road access to the property and the financials of the project.

Selectmen John Shields estimated the full project would cost between $9 and 12 million. Krasinski said the Trust has secured several commercial and private donors to make the project happen, many of which have asked to remain nameless at this point. The Selectmen asked for a report of costs and donors, without names, for a future meeting.

Chair Marion McEttrick said a meeting with the Attorney General's Office to go over the proposal is in the future.

While nothing was officially decided, Thursday, any steps forward would be an improvement on the past. Shields joked, "Even if we just did the planting (in phase one), then we've done more than any Board of Selectmen in 300 years."