TEMPLETON — The state’s Department of Agricultural Resources and Department of Developmental Services are evaluating bids for the lease of 275 acres of agricultural land at the Templeton Developmental Center, with a decision expected early next year.

“They are able to open the property up for bid because they will maintain it for agricultural use,” said DAR representative Krista Selmi. “In other words, it would be a continuation of the historical use — it is not a disposition nor is it a redevelopment.”

Seven proposals have been made for various uses of the areas that encompass the 275 acres at the more than 2,000-acre property.


The areas are Eliot Hill, which includes three barns; the Valley Barn and its milk processing plant; the greenhouse with two glass houses and function space; and an area with three barns, the farm office and another building.

Within the request for proposals, the two state agencies outline the intent for the properties to be continued to be used for agricultural purposes.

“Valley Barn has been an integral part of TDC throughout its history and it is the intent of MDAR and DDS to retain a limited number of employment opportunities for TDC clients and staff in conjunction with the operation of Valley Barn in support of DDS programmatic objectives,” the request states.

The bidders include Karl Heins, Simmons Dairy and LLC Dairy, who all intend to use property for dairy production. Charles Dance and Matt LeClerc are proposing vegetable farming and raising livestock and poultry, while Red Tolman is proposing the relocation of wild mustangs from Montana and Wyoming.

Frank Matheson Jr. of Springbrook Farm is proposing grain production, and Forward Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship submitted two proposals for equine operations. 

In 2009, Gov. Deval Patrick mandated the closure of Templeton Developmental Center along with four other similar facilities as part of a shift toward serving those with developmental issues within community settings.

The development center was slated for closure in 2013, but according to the Department of Developmental Services, 41 residents still reside at the site as they await placement in other facilities.

The facility’s full closure is anticipated by 2015.

According to Gov. Patrick’s mandate, any reuse, renovation or redevelopment of the site will be decided by a committee, which will include representation from the town.

Last month, representatives from the state Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance indicated that they are now ready to form that committee.

“I think we’re at the point now where the town is near ready to appoint a reuse committee, and we’ll move forward with working on that,” said  DCAM representative Rachel Neff.

However, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Ritter, state officials have not yet contacted the town regarding the developmental center.

Posted Oct 14, 2009 at 12:01 AM

 

TEMPLETON -- As an Oct. 26 public meeting with state officials to discuss the closing of the Templeton Developmental Center looms, Board of Selectmen Chairman Gerald Skelton Tuesday addressed the confusion surrounding the reuse committee for the center, while reiterating his opposition to the closing of the facility. Mr. Skelton discussed Tuesday the need for the public meeting to address the issues that have arisen as a result of the state’s decision to close the center, particularly over the role the reuse committee would take during the expected closing of the center, slated for 2013. While Mr. Skelton is supposed to be on the committee -- serving as its chairman -- the select board chairman reiterated his stance in opposition to the closing of the center. “I have a problem with being on a committee when I don’t believe in reusing (the center). I think it should stay open,” he said. The state Senate announced in May the passage of an amendment that would create a reuse committee in Templeton for the purpose of allowing the town to become more involved as the decisions about the center and its lands are made. The committee would include three Templeton representatives -- one from the select board, one from the Planning Board, and one member to be chosen by the selectmen. In addition, the committee would feature one representative each from the Community Preservation Committee, the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance and the legal guardians of the clients currently housed at the center. Since the announcement, Mr. Skelton said there were numerous town residents who expressed confusion over what the role of the reuse committee would be in the center’s closing. “There’s a lot of people in town that were confused over what ‘reuse’ meant, instead of not closing it,” he said. “So we’re having this meeting to get everyone together because it’s going to affect the whole area, including the employees of the center.” The chairman said that in speaking with Robert Hubbard, Gardner’s director of planning and development, and John Henshaw, chairman of the Community Preservation Committee, while the opposition in town to closing the center has been strong, they advised filling the committee seats in order to be in compliance with the amendment. “We have to go down two paths here,” he said. “We have to get on the path that we don’t want to close, but yet we have to fill that committee.” Mr. Skelton will be meeting with both Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Henshaw to create an agenda for the meeting. Currently, state Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, and State Rep. Anne Gobi, D-Spencer, are the only members of the committee. Mr. Skelton said he expected a large turnout for the meeting, particularly if all, or a majority, of the center’s 450 employees attend. The public meeting on the closing of the center is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Narragansett Middle School.

Since it has been shown the school district has a hard time with snow removal when there is 12 inches plus, the Town will, despite the regional agreement, provide a loader and trucks as necessary, to remover snow from parking areas and the "cross road" between Wellington and South Road. There will be a cost attributable to snow & Ice, which the budgeted amount barely covers the cost to plow town roads. This is an item that has been tentatively put in place by the Town Administrator in agreement with Superintendent. The arrival of winter has shown that some of the concerns and questions raised along the way of the school being built were justified. The site looked great on paper, on a summer day, but how things change when you add the white stuff (snow) If you think this is only happening at the school, check out cumbies and notice how much parking they have lost due, in part, to snow accumulation. A learning curve for the school district plowing their areas out

Recent audit presentation; appears Templeton audit firm is cutting back on expenses, contract for audit services listed as $28,000.00 per audit, yet neither the management letter nor the audit report itself is in any type of binder or cover. Management letter has a paper clip and audit report has a spring clip on it. Maybe it was a rough year.

The all committee/board meeting was pretty much a bust, from an attendance stand point to substance. Of course with one member from Council on Aging turning it into a 10 minute bitch session, pretty much about how their feelings were hurt at the first meeting attended, well, not many people want to sit through that. Another dog and pony show idea from military that just does not work; unlike the military, you cannot force people to show up. Perhaps an indicator on how attendance is poor at Town Meeting, when you have people who volunteer and say they are committed to this or that, yet fail to show for meetings, how do you then expect people to show for Town Meeting.