By Joni Quinn
Staff Writer
March 26, 2008 03:19 pm The 27 parcels of land Mayor James Fiorentini wants to sell to alleviate the budget deficit will be reviewed by the Natural Resources and Public Property Committee next week. The committee will review the saleability of the parcels, partly through the recommendations of city department heads which will be collected prior to the April 2 meeting. "I am going to personally review every parcel I possibly can, so I can make a good decision on how the city should move forward," said City Councilor William J. Macek, committee chairman. Macek and other committee members don't want to put land up for auction that is of no worth. "It's taking advantage of people if we don't make sure the land is usable," Macek said. But because people will be hesitant to buy land buildable only with a variance granted by the Board of Appeals, Macek suggests the city get that approval prior to putting it up for auction so it is worth more. "If the parcel has enough square feet to be developed, we want to be sure we get the best return for the city by putting a minimum bid on it," Macek said. The parcel sparking the most controversy is the 11.4 acres in Boxford around Johnsons Pond. The current proposal by the mayor is to sell the land to Boxford for $750,000. The land, along the shoreline of Johnsons Pond, was purchased for an additional drinking water source, but the Water Department does not think the city will use it. "If some extreme emergency happened, things would change, but not for long. We would end up tapping the Merrimack River — not Johnsons Pond," said City Water/Wastewater Superintendent Bob Ward. Macek said that sale should have restrictions. "The sale should involve deed restrictions so it can only be used for recreation or conservation — not building," Macek said. One parcel to be auctioned was gifted to the city. Former Mayor Theodore Pelosi Jr., as trustee of the 241-243 Washington St. reality trust, transferred the land to the city on Sept. 17, 2001 without restriction, according to City Solicitor William Cox, who said the city is free to sell it. "If land is gifted to the city and it has no restrictions, the city is free to do what it wants," said Cox. Michael DeLuca wants to buy city property on Eudora Street because he owns the two adjacent lots, but the parcel holds a large city sewer crossing. The Conservation Commission has concerns and has it under review but, if approved, DeLuca would be able to build on the property. The committee, consisting of City Councilors William J. Macek, David E. Hall, Kenneth E. Quimby Jr., and James J. Donahue Jr., will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 4 Summer St., Room 204. For a complete list of properties, visit the city Web site at www.ci.haverhill.ma.us and click on "Calendar of Community Meetings." Also coming up:
Thursday, March 27 City Councilor David Hall, office hours, 10 to 11 a.m., City Hall, Room 204. City Councilor James J. Donahue Jr., office hours, 2:45 to 3:45 p.m., City Hall, Room 204, or by appointment. He can be reached at 978-914-1230 or jdonahue2020@yahoo.com. School Committee meeting, 7 p.m., City Hall, City Council Chambers, Room 202. Monday, March 31 Hill View Montessori Accountability Committee, 4 p.m., 551 Washington St. Tuesday, April 1 Mayor James Fiorentini, office hours, 4 to 5 p.m., City Hall, Room 100. City Council meeting, 7 p.m., City Hall, City Council Chambers, Room 202. Wednesday, April 2 City Council/Natural Resources and Public Property Committee, 7 p.m., City Hall, Room 204.
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