Voters may spend $2.5m for Windrush Farm horse-therapy site
In 1950, Marjorie Kittredge and her husband bought 195 acres of land, mostly in North Andover, as a place to raise their family.
Fourteen years later, it also became home to Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, a nonprofit founded by Kittredge to use horse-assisted activities to aid people with physical and mental challenges.
Kittredge, who lives on the property, is 85 and there has been concern that in coming years the land will be divided and developed. Windrush has even been raising money to buy the portion of the property on which it operates the riding center.
But now there is a plan for preserving the entire 195 acres.
The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit conservation organization, is facilitating purchase of the Lacy Street property by both the town of North Andover and Windrush. The goal is to raise the $3.5-million purchase price by Oct. 31.
At the North Andover Town Meeting on Tuesday, voters will be asked to use $2.5 million of the town's Community Preservation Act Funds to buy 160 acres. Windrush would pay $1 million to buy the land on which it operates the center - 25 acres in North Andover and another 10 acres in Boxford.
Jennifer Tartaglia, development di rector for Windrush, said about $400,000 already has been raised.
The Essex County Greenbelt Association would hold a conservation restriction on the property to eliminate the possibility of any future development.
"Windrush is a large undeveloped parcel in North Andover and it's a parcel we think is worthy of preservation," said John Simons, chairman of both the North Andover Community Preservation Committee and the Planning Board.
He said the land - a mix of fields, forests, and wetlands that is adjacent to 1,600 acres of conservation land, including Boxford State Forest - is a critical habitat for birds and wildlife.
Simons said buying the land also would ensure public access.
"We view it as a chance to preserve a very important property for trails and hiking and other forms of passive recreation," he said.
Amanda Hogan, executive director of Windrush, said the purchase would allow the organization to expand the number and variety of programs for the general public, as well as continue its therapeutic work.
She said new programs could include community gardens, environmental study programs for North Andover students, and summer camps.
While optimistic about a positive vote, Simons said some people might question the purchase during a tough economy.
"In a perverse way, it's a good time to buy property because prices are down," he said, adding the property was appraised at $4.7 million a few years ago.
North Andover adopted the Community Preservation Act in 2001. Funding comes from a 3 percent property tax surcharge. Simons said money for the purchase has accumulated in the fund over the years.
He said approval of the $2.5 million would not increase anyone's taxes in North Andover. By state law, CPA funds can be used to preserve open space and historic sites, and create affordable housing and recreational facilities. Money from the fund cannot be used for the town's operating budget or many other expenses.
"The idea is to have money for the long-term preservation of the community," Simons said. "It doesn't mean we will let teachers go."
Simons said it is expected the town would be reimbursed $800,000 - $500,000 from the state Community Preservation Trust Fund and $300,000 from an Open Space Institute grant - leaving the total cost at $1.7 million.
If use of the Community Preservation Act funds is not approved at Town Meeting, Windrush would stick with its plan to purchase its portion of the property.
As for the majority of the land, Simons said, "there is a strong likelihood it would be developed. We believe they could get a 30-house subdivision in there, which would change the area measurably."
Nellie Aikenhead, project manager of the Trust for Public Land, said Kittredge is "a generous landowner who has kept this land open for nearly half a century and is now providing the trust and the town the time needed to raise funds to permanently protect this outstanding property."
Hogan agreed.
"Marge has always dreamed of being able to preserve the whole farm and we are just the facilitators, at this point," she said. "It means her legacy, and all she has created at Windrush lives on."
For more on Windrush, go to www.windrushfarm.org. 
