Southwick Agricultural Commission Declines 61A Land Purchase, Names New Secretary

Other Committee · Meeting of June 10, 2026

Southwick Agricultural Commission votes unanimously to pass on a Chapter 61A farmland parcel. At its June 10 regular meeting, the commission declined to exercise the town's right of first refusal on a parcel under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 61A after Chair Jessica Parker determined the land did not qualify as genuinely agricultural. Town guest Doug Moglen urged the commission, Conservation Commission, and Planning Board to jointly develop a ranked list of priority parcels before the next sale opportunity arises, warning that without pre-positioned funding and a plan, "you're not going to have power for when that one does come out." The board also voted unanimously to appoint member Jennifer DiPietro as commission secretary following the departure of paid secretary Cynthia Barton, and voted to opt out of any Southwick 250th anniversary parade, citing event uncertainty and a desire to focus on Open Farm Day, tentatively set for the weekend of June 16.

Two prospective members — Ashley Perrone and Janice Prifty, trustee of a 55-acre Granville Road property — were recommended to the Select Board for appointment.

In the full story:

• Budget and Purchases
• Open Farm Day Preparations
• Technology, Social Media, and Website
• Master Plan Action Item 1.4
• Farm to School Grants and MDAR Agricultural Planning
• Who Was There
• The complete report — 3,154 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of June 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.