FALMOUTH – The town of Falmouth is seeking proposals for leasing the recently acquired Tony Andrews Farm property.
The town purchased the land on Old Meetinghouse Road for $2 million after receiving approval at town meeting last fall.
Selectmen recently approved the issuance of a request for proposals by the town manager that would lease the land for long-term farming.
Along with using the land for farming Assistant Town Manager Peter Johnson-Staub says there are other requirements.
“There is maintaining access to the adjacent open space which was acquired by the 300 committee. We want to see continued operation of the farm stand,” Johnson-Staub said.
“We have to have compliance with the conservation restriction that applies to the property.”
The proposals are also encouraged to eliminate the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers on the property.
Johnson-Staub said the town researched other communities on how they managed their land and met with the Conservation Commission and several times with the Agricultural Commission. He said they received helpful input from members, but also from famers inside and outside of the community.
“A long-term lease is a benefit to the town and a benefit to the farm operators so they become knowledgeable of the property and can make long-term investments in the property,” Johnson-Staub said.
The town will also seek to recoup some of the costs of the purchase of the property through the lease, but Johnson-Staub said it is not a primary objective in selecting a proposal for the land.
The RFP will be advertised beginning today with proposals due to the Town Manager’s office by September 19.
The land was purchased to prevent further development in town.
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