GA Blog: Boxford

12.28.11 Boxford Library Deemed Incompatible with the Area

The Tri-town Transcript recently reported that the Boxford Historic Districts Commission turned down, in a 3-2 vote, the certificate of appropriateness for the new library project propped for the historic Boxford area.

The board members that turned the plan down stated that the 18,000 square foot building was too large for the area, and that the design of the building was “incompatible” with the surrounding historic neighborhood.

Read the entire Tri-town Transcript article.

11.14.11 Boxford Zoning Board Debates Library Proposal

The Tri-Town Transcript recently reported that the Boxford town library proposal was turned down by the town Zoning Board Association, with one of the three board members voting against the project. A unanimous vote was needed to pass the proposal.

The vote against the proposed library project came after months of planning, redesigns, and negotiations between the town and the hired architect group and community. The main reason the project received a “no” vote was the size of the library and the impact it would have one the surrounding community. The proposed building was said to be too large for the area, which is located in a small village setting, and would “ruin the historic character of the village.”

Boxford will need to return $800,000 in grants that were awarded for the project, of those funds $360,000 has already been spent.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

7.20.11 Boxford Town Officials Not Satisfied with Library Design

The Tri-Town Transcript recently reported that town officials in Boxford, MA are not satisfied with the proposed design for the new two-story Boxford Village Library. The architect of the project, Angela Hiatt of Schwartz/Silver Architects found her design under much scrutiny in a town meeting held in mid July.

The architect has been working hard with the town’s Historic District Commission in making sure that the new 18,500 square foot building would fit in with the neighboring buildings and surroundings. According to the architect many sacrifices, including fewer parking spaces and reducing the height of the building, were made in order to have the building fit in perfectly as well as remain within budget.

Among town officials the common concerns seem to be a lack of windows, simplistic exteriors, and inappropriate material usage on the exterior. An especially long roofline and large slope also seems to be an area of major concern.

The architect was asked by town officials to take in account the critiques, and provide another design before any drafts are finalized.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

5.15.11 Senior Housing in Boxford

The Tri-Town Transcript recently reported that the Boxford Housing Partnership Committee (HPC) is planning to build senior housing on the Haynes Land, where there is an undesignated and undeveloped parcel of land.

As of now the only elderly development in Boxford is Four Mile Village which is roughly 20 years old and does not comply with the American Disabilities Act. The HPC will be meeting with the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to see if the Haynes land could be designated as an elderly district.

Roughly 2/3 of the 150 people on the Four Mile Village waiting list are requesting first-floor units, the new development would be able to accommodate those people. “The need for accessible housing in Boxford is clear, says the Housing Partnership Committee.”

Although just in the beginning stages and with no designs drawn up, plans are to have four to five building with 16 to 20 units apiece all which would be ADA compliant.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

3.30.11 Boxford Residents to Comment on Discontinued Road Proposal

The Tri-Town Transcript recently reported that Boxford residents will have a chance to comment tonight (Wednesday, March 30, 2011) on a proposed discontinuation of a dead-end section of Towne Road that is causing zoning issues for the land owner.

The Merrimack Valley Planning Council has the final say on this proposal; however, the town selectmen must first give a recommendation on the request.

The 700-800 foot long section of road in question splits a 17-acre property into two lots. If the proposal is accepted the property will become one lot.

The owner of the property wishes to maintain the lot as farmland and “restore the historic Towne Farm to what it once was for agricultural purposes.”

Tonight at 5:00 p.m. there will be an on-site visit open to local residents for comment.

12.31.10 New Boardwalk Constructed in Willowdale State Park

The Tri-Town Transcript reported that a new boardwalk in Willowdale State Park in Topsfield was opened in early December that bridges wetlands and connects the east and west sides of the 2,400-acre state park.  The Essex County Trail Association (ECTA) built the 160-foot boardwalk in October using grant money from REI Sports which was awarded in July.

“This bridge will help increase accessibility and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. REI has shared aspirations and goals with ECTA — to increase stewardship, conservation and recreation in our natural areas,” said Bruce Jurgens, manager of REI’s Reading store. “The new boardwalk will allow for safe access across the wetland.”

The state park, which spans the three towns of Topsfield, Boxford, and Ipswich, contains over 40 miles of trails and buds up against the Bradley Palmer State Park which spans Ipswich, Hamilton and Topsfield. Together the two parks contain 3,100 acres of protected land.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript