Sweetwilliam Farm (North Street)
Sweetwilliam Farm Update 01/12/11
Town Meeting voted to preserve the property using Community Preservation Funds and to accept the $500,000 grant award to Upton for the project by the state's Division of Conservation Services. The next steps are to finalize all of the relevant agreements, including the conservation restriction and easements, survey the property, prepare a baseline report, and to continue fundraising. The project is expected to close by mid-June. There is a link to the presentation made to Town Meeting below.
Sweetwilliam Farm Update 12/19/10
The citizens petition was successful in getting enough signatures to place an article on a Special Town Meeting warrant to preserve this property using CPA funds and a state grant. The meeting has been set for January 11, 2011 at 7PM. See new Fact Sheet below.
Sweetwilliam Farm Update 11/5/10
During their October meeting the CPA committee voted to send the Sweetwilliam Farm Proposal to the November Special Town meeting warrant. The Upton Board of Selectmen declined to place the articles on the warrant. Since that time, the Upton Open Space Committee has been notified that they will receive a Massachusetts LAND grant in the amount of $500,000 toward the purchase price of the property. A citizen's petition has been prepared to call a special town meeting with an article on the warrant to purchase the property using CPA funds and grants. The petition requires 200 signatures from registered Upton voters. If the petition is certified by the Town Clerk, the selectmen must call a special town meeting within 45 days.
Sweetwilliam Farm Update 9/24/10
The Upton Open Space Committee and the owner of Sweetwilliam Farm have agreed on a proposal that provides the Town of Upton the opportunity to preserve this exquisite property. Committee members have been working with Sudbury Valley Trust, Metacomet Land Trust and the owner to preserve this historic farmland and forest. The property would link the town-owned Warren Brook Watershed Conservation Area with Upton State Forest, which in turn connect to open space parcels in Grafton and Hopkinton. If conserved, Sweetwilliam Farm would be part of a complex of over 2,000 acres of protected land and extend a trail network used by horseback riders, hikers, cyclists, skiers, birders and others who enjoy the outdoors.
Sweetwilliam is a working farm preserving what little remains of Upton’s agricultural history, retaining the characteristics of a farm from the mid 1700’s. The land was once owned by the grandfather of Eli Whitney and the 18th century farmhouse was built by his cousin, a Revolutionary War veteran.
The proposal is for the town to purchase 60 acres of woodland and purchase a Conservation Restriction (CR) on most of the remaining land, which would remain in private ownership. The CR would allow for farming to continue, preserving the agricultural heritage of the land, but preclude development of the property. The spectacular view from North Street would be protected. Easements would provide east-west trail access and parking for 5 cars at the store. The owner would maintain the land and continue to pay taxes.
Preservation funding would be sought from grants, private donations and the Community Preservation Act funds, with no increase in taxes to Upton citizens.
The Open Space Committee will be making a final presentation to the Community Preservation Committee on October 6 at 7:30 PM at Nipmuc High. The public is invited to attend.
The fate of one of Upton’s few remaining farms is currently uncertain. Sweetwilliam Farm is at risk of being developed and the Open Space Committee is proposing to use Community Preservation Act funds, grants, and private donations to purchase a Conservation Restriction (CR) to protect this beautiful property on North Street.
Sweetwilliam is a working farm preserving what little remains of Upton’s agricultural history. Established by an uncle of Eli Whitney and farmed by the Whitney Family from the mid 1750’s through late 1800’s, the 92 acre farm offers one of Upton’s most spectacular vistas, a dramatic view of Upton's highest hill and a centuries old pasture sloping towards Warren Brook.
The significance of this land lies not only in the view and its history but as a one mile long trail corridor connecting Upton State Forest and the Warren Brook Conservation Area, both of which connect to open space parcels in neighboring towns. If conserved, Sweetwilliam Farm would be part of a complex of over 2,000 acres of protected land, creating an extensive trail network for use by horseback riders, hikers, cyclists, skiers, birders and others who enjoy the outdoors.
Ideally a Conservation Restriction (CR) would be placed on all of the land except the residences and the country store. The CR would allow for farming to continue and to preserve the agricultural heritage of the land. In addition, it would provide for public access for passive recreation and a public parking area. The owner agrees to farm and maintain the land and continues to pay taxes. Options exist for the purchase of some of the land should a CR not be practical on all of it, but a CR remains the most practical and least expensive way for the town to protect the farm and have access to a trail network.
Under the current proposal, the CR would not raise taxes. The funding would come from grants, private donations and money already collected under the Community Preservation Act.
Upton has an un-paralleled opportunity. We are frighteningly close to losing Sweetwilliam Farm to development and encourage anyone who has traveled along North Street and been struck by the beauty of this parcel to contribute in whatever way possible.
The committee is working with the Sudbury Valley Trustees and other partners to preserve this 92 acre historic farm. See the following documents for more information.
Sweetwilliam Farm Preservation Proposals
Conservation Restriction Information
Chestnut Hill Farm, Town of Southboro (CR Example)
Additional Photos Link
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