Westfield property owner opposed to city taking land for new elementary school
“The owner of property on East Main Street, considered necessary for construction of a $36 million elementary school on Ashley Street, is opposed to any attempt by the city to acquire the 30-acres of open farm land.
Alice Wielgus told the City Council Monday she is not interested in selling her property and is opposed to the city taking it by eminent domain.
“I don’t want the city to take my farm,” Wielgus said. “It has been in my family for 70 years. I object to the city taking my land by eminent domain.”
The issue of eminent domain is currently under review by the City Council, in its legislative and ordinance committee. No formal council action is expected before its next regular meeting scheduled for Aug. 21.
The city has appraised the Wielgus land at about $260,000.
The city wants to acquire the farmland and use it to compensate for just over one-acre of open space at Ashley and Cross streets, the site for the proposed 600-student elementary school. The site currently serves as ball fields but the footprint of the proposed school encroaches on available open space there.”
LaBorde, Ted. Mass Live 7 July 2014.