Landers Farm Property right-of-first-refusal waiver

The Town of Plymouth holds a statutory right of first refusal on parcels of land classified under Chapter 61A when an owner notifies the municipality of intent to sell or convert the land to non-agricultural use. In the case of the Landers Farm Road parcels, this right applies to approximately 130 acres whose development would affect local aquifer recharge and wildlife habitat.

On May 5, 2026, the Select Board entered executive session to discuss real-property values specifically including the Landers Farm Road parcels. A resident speaking in open session urged the board not to waive its right of first refusal, citing the land’s importance for water protection, habitat preservation, and community character.

One week later, on May 12, the board again convened an executive session on the same parcels. Another resident reiterated the call to exercise the right of first refusal, emphasizing ecological and aquifer-protection values and requesting collaborative decision-making with the community.

At the June 2 meeting, multiple residents and representatives addressed the board in public comment, again pressing for acquisition to protect the Cedarville area’s ecology and water supply while raising questions about transparency and possible conflicts of interest. The board responded that no vote had occurred in executive session and that the matter would be continued to the next Tuesday meeting.

At its June 23 and June 24 meetings the Select Board confirmed that it has signed and recorded the waiver of the town's right of first refusal on the Landers property, allowing the developer's purchase to proceed under the existing purchase-and-sale agreement and the MOU to run with the land. Residents at both meetings continued to argue that the MOU language is too vague to be enforceable and that the board should instead have pursued acquisition through the Community Preservation Act or assignment to the Community Land and Water Trust.