Should the Town Accept the Patton Property Gift? And How Can it Be Used?
The Patton Family Gift Advisory Gift Committee is hosting a public forum on Wednesday night to hear from residents about the gift of the Patton estate to the town.
Photos
The public can hear more on Wednesday night about the town of Hamilton’s plans to use the Patton property if voters choose to accept the gift. And they can then provide their two cents about what they think about those plans.
The Patton Family Gift Advisory Committee plans to hold a public forum on Wednesday night. The committee meets at 6 p.m. at Hamilton Town Hall but plans to open it up to the public forum at 7 p.m.
“The vote at Town Meeting is whether or not we should accept the gift,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Jennifer Scuteri said about the 27 acres of land and home off Asbury Street that has been offered to the town by Joanne Patton.
If accepted, the transfer has to happen by Aug. 1 under the terms of the gift offer, Scuteri said. If accepted, Scuteri said she wants to host a “town party” on the property in August.
While specific uses are being considered for the home and property – and the cost to own and operate it all is being calculated – Advisory Committee member and Selectman Marc Johnson said the “immediate objective” for the committee is whether to accept the gift.
“That’s the only decision we have to make” right now, he said.
The committee has already come up with the cost for the town to own the property in “stripped-down mode” without any new uses. Those costs will be presented on Wednesday. Further cost calculations for other plans have yet to be completed.
Most of the conversation has been about the use of the 6,000 square foot home. One of the leading ideas is to lease it to a bed and breakfast operator for a set period – five years, for example.
The bed and breakfast could be marketed as a destination for mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing and exploring the area, plus touted for its Patton family ties.
“It’s going to take someone’s heart and soul to do this,” Johnson said.
There are also horse stables on the property that could be rented for five to 10 horses, Johnson said.
The Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Commission is also in the midst of coming up with a Recreation Master Plan, and that will likely help determine the size, type and number of athletic fields that may be created on the property. Parking for those fields may be one of the largest costs with that, Johnson said.
The property also provides access to the Ipswich River and the construction of a Riverwalk is also possible.
“We’re throwing around all sorts of ideas,” Scuteri said. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of interest in housing – a development piece.”
Johnson said he wants voters to see the possibilities in the property for the town before deciding to accept the gift.
“I don’t think they should accept it just because Mrs. Patton has been so wonderful to us,” Johnson said.
Before Annual Town Meeting in May, the committee plans to complete a 10-30 page report on the property, Johnson said.
“We’re open to hearing ideas,” Scuteri said, adding he hopes the committee is conversational with those that show up to offer feedback.
Bob Gray
8:32 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Initially this "gift" seemed like a wonderful idea and when first presented was going to be cost neutral to the town. Now after examining it closer it presents many issues that look like it will end up costing the town lots of money. Insurance, developement, management, employees, labor costs, maintinence costs... justs to name a few. I am having second thoughts. The meeting on Wed night hopefully will address all these issues.
Bob Gray
Robert G Preston
8:32 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
I do not believe the premise that because the town may or may not manage the school budget properly, a hellish task for communities across the Northeast, that it follows they cannot manage the Patton property. While there are pluses and minuses to all the suggestions made, intelligent people from both sides of the question should engage in discussions and make compromises to create a proposal the town can vote on. The way our town government is supposed to work, we need to show our kids that the mud slinging and cynicism which mars our national discourse, does not have to be. I wish the committee all the best and hope for a reasoned and well thought out proposal for us all to discuss.
Jay Burnham
6:25 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Robert... Did I miss something? I could not find the analogy between managing the school budget and managing Patton property you mentioned in your comment. Where was the premise made? Or who made it? I did not read anything that sounded like "mud slinging and cynicism" in the article or subsequent comments. I only found reasoned and well thought out input...with one exception.
Parson Weems
8:32 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Typically gifts of land like this come with an endowment to cover future management costs. Not so here, that's Mrs. Patton's business of course but its one more reason not to jump right into this. There's no way Hamilton can manage this property within the constraints of its current resources, and its just too optimistic to presume that development of the parcel will generate income sufficient to cover costs. Patton family should talk to an NPO in the land preservation world.
Bob Gray
8:32 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
I left a comment but it was not posted?
Robert Gates
8:35 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Bob (and others), there was a technical problem with the commenting system for most of the day. It has been resolved. I apologize for any problems. Everything should be straight now.
Robert G Preston
6:40 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
All
Part of my comment, regarding school district management by the town, refrenced the post I saw which compelled my respone. Jay is correct, minus that post my comments appear a bit random. Apologies to you all.
Bill
10:31 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
How about turning into a garbage dump to cut down on garbage collection costs that seems to have everyone in a tizzy. Think about it - it makes sense.
Parson Weems
11:06 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
That's a good one! And the best part is the joke would really be on us if we actually did that, since we're spending a nice chunk of change to finally cap our existing landfill; and then; all at the same time, we start up a new landfill and put that right next to a public water drinking supply area! What a hoot!!
Jim Smith
11:24 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Ok, why not have a resort built at the Patton property. If we accept this quote, un-quote gift, then their will be no tax revenue from this property ? I am sure that the Marriott would be interested in building a small resort on the property. Offering, golf, tennis, pool, restaurant, full liquor license, Casino, and piano bar. The tax revenue will satisfy the insatiable appetite of the school board for tax dollars.
After all we lost the Kings Grant, so a nice hotel, would be a nice addition. Offering canoeing lessons, Kayak, etc.. I am sure they would agree to making the Ipswich River a great attraction ? A board walk along the Ipswich ? Just think of the possibilities when an entrepreneurial view point is entertained over a socialist one ?
Janet Collett
3:30 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I'm assuming you are now mocking the discussion.