EDC votes to back $1.8M farm purchase

Economic Development Committee · Meeting of October 28, 2026

BOXBOROUGH — The Boxborough Economic Development Committee voted to recommend Fall Town Meeting approve a $1.8 million purchase of the Richardson farm at 276 Middle Road. The committee voted 4-0, with member John Neyland recused as the Agricultural Commission's sponsor of the article, and authorized Chair Abby Reip to draft a written recommendation. Town Planner Alec Wade said a developer has an offer ready if the town does not act, and estimated a worst-case tax impact of $58 per household per year if the $1.8 million is fully bonded with no donations.

The Boxborough Conservation Trust has pledged $100,000 and the Sudbury Valley Trustees are expected to add up to $500,000. Neyland said "forty years from now, we'll own the richest in land and think we stole it for the money." The committee also voted 5-0 to buy a $50 Market Basket gift card as a survey incentive, with responses at 35 toward a goal of 200.

In the full story:

• Minutes and routine business
• Economic Development Plan: survey distribution, flyers and incentives
• Economic Development Plan: focus groups and listening session
• Village for a Day recap
• Chairperson's items: regional EDIC
• Chairperson's items: Fall Town Meeting Article 4, 276 Middle Road
• Chairperson's items: Village Center technical assistance grant and local business news
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,665 words

Source: the Economic Development Committee meeting of October 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.