Rehoboth Will Take Ownership of Francis Farm in June

The town is expected to take ownership of Francis Farm next month. Voters at the May 12 town meeting approved the purchase of the 47 acre property at a cost of $2.8 million. The site will be the new location for the Council on Aging. 34 acres will be preserved for open space.

Former selectman Gerry Schwall, who is serving as special project manager, told the Board of Selectmen Monday there will be a mid-June closing for the property. Selectmen planned to conduct a “video inventory” of Francis Farm prior to the completion of the sale.

Chairman Skip Vadnais noted a meeting would need to be held with the Council on Aging Board of Directors. “We need to be prepared to ask them specific questions as to the structural needs they’re going to require to meet the programs they want to institute,” Vadnais said, adding the COA board had already taken a tour of the property and provided positive feedback. 

Primary funding for the purchase and upgrades to existing facilities will come from insurance proceeds received after fire destroyed the previous Council on Aging building last September. The Board of Selectmen explained the purchase of the property and buildings will not raise real estate taxes.

Voters had also approved $995,000 to purchase the land and building located at 340 Anawan Street to serve as the Town Office Building. Schwall said the closing for what is known as the Kane building would be in late July.