By Patrick Anderson
Staff writer
May 05, 2008 06:00 am ESSEX — Stymied a year ago in its efforts to chart a course for the future of Conomo Point, town planners hope that taking baby steps forward at tonight's annual Town Meeting will lay the groundwork for more substantial changes in years to come Last May, Town Meeting voters rejected two articles authorizing Essex to begin the process of selling land on Conomo Point — which it has leased to homeowners for decades — before those leases expire in 2011. An initial article, supported by the majority of members in the Conomo Point Planning Committee, would have drawn up a plan to sell town land south of Robbins Island Road as well as plots on Robbins Island and at Beach Circle. But a faction in the committee, concerned the article gave away too much critical waterfront acreage, placed a second article on the warrant by citizen petition that would have authorized selling lots south of Robbins Island Road, but nothing on the island or at Beach Circle. After Town Meeting voted down both articles, the Planning Committee went back to the drawing board, and this year proposed an even more modest measure asking for authorization to search for a planner to survey the land South of Robbins Island Road and draw new lot lines to maximize their value for future sale. The article does not address anything north of Robbins Island and contains no appropriation to pay for the planner. Selectmen have said funding for the planner could be secured at a special Town Meeting in the fall. Selectman Mark Lynch — a member of the Planning Committee — said Friday that this year's effort to take the smallest steps toward the least controversial land sale was a way to gauge whether the town was willing to sell any land. "This article is seeking the will of Town Meeting," Lynch said. "If they do not approve, then we will have to go back to square one." Committee members have said selling a portion of the roughly 100 lots on Conomo Point would raise the revenue needed to consider plans for the remainder of the land, offset the loss of tax and lease revenue when the leases expire, and fight anticipated lawsuits from displaced homeowners. A financial analysis presented to Town Meeting last year estimated that sale of the lots south of Robbins Island Road could pull in around $14 million for the town, not including and expenses and lost revenue. Building a waterfront park on the land north of Robbins Island Road has been one idea discussed by the committee. But some residents have suggested that the land at Conomo Point — the town's sole waterfront property on Essex Bay — is too valuable for the town to sell any of it. One proposal would have the town renegotiate the leases of homeowners at the point so they extend beyond 2011. Others have suggested clearing the whole point of homes and taking it all back for town use. But the Planning Committee has contended that the town needs some revenue to move any plans for the point ahead. Lynch said the town expects to lose around $500,000 annually in revenue once the leases expire, a figure that would place an enormous strain on the already tight operating budget. That figure does not include the cost of any lawsuits brought by displaced leaseholders, Lynch said. "The fear is that once you sell it, it is gone," Lynch said. "I don't disagree with that, but this is the best way we can see to move forward. At least with this option you have some revenue coming in." panderson@gloucestertimes.com
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Want to go? What: Essex Town Meeting When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m. Where: Essex Elementary School gymnasium. Warrant Articles: 43
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