Foxbard Farm – Timeline

March 23, 1999

Neighbor writes from her permanent home in Florida, offering to sell John Payne the 95 acres she owns due north of Foxbard Farm.

April 15, 1999

After some exchange of correspondence, Neighbor sets the price at $450,000.

April 30, 1999

John responds with a much lower offer based on what he believes is the agricultural value of the land, and Neighbor never replies.

May, 1999

Neighbor lists 95 acres parcel with a local realtor; one parcel of 70 acres for $220,000 and three parcels of 8, 8 and 6 acres for $90,000, $80,000 and $60,000 (total = $450.000.)

Aug. or Sept, 1999

Neighbor reaches tentative agreement with a buyer of the land.

Late Nov, Early Dec

Select Board receives notice of sale of Chapter 61A property [Agricultural current-use property tax program]; For property enrolled in this program, the town has 120 days in which it can decide to exercise its right-of-first-refusal, and buy the land at the fair market value offered by the potential buyer. John advises board members of importance of issue and possibility of Franklin Land Trust (FLT) raising funds to match $220,000 sales price; Board schedules open discussion on issue for January 18th regular meeting.

December 24, 1999

FLT reports it has raised $200,000 towards matching sales price. Mark Zenick of the FLT notes Land Trust does not want to manage land and broaches idea of long term lease to John Payne of Foxbard Farm.

January 5, 2000

John responds to Mark’s ideas with substantial financial commitment and a willingness to lease land for 99 years.

January 18, 2000

Select Board meets to discuss the land sale and the possibility of ceding the town’s right of first refusal to FLT; FLT would buy the land, remove the development rights and lease the land to Foxbard Farm for 99 years; most towns people speak out strongly in favor of the FLT proposal.

February 15, 2000

Select Board decides to exercise right of first refusal and convey right to FLT.

March 16, 2000

Foxbard Farm executes lease with FLT to manage 70 acre Shingle Hill lot;

Summer, Fall 2000

Neighbor wants to dispose of the rest of her land in Shelburne; Mark Zenick succeeds in negotiating purchase including remaining 25 acres in Shingle Hill lot and about 5 acres in 3 other unbuildable parcels nearby; the final price for the 95 acre Shingle Hill lot is $362,500;

March 27, 2001

FLT and Foxbard add remaining 25 acres to Shingle Hill 99 year lease.