Welcome to our site. We are Milton Friends of Town Farm and we need your help!
The Town Farm, also known as the Poor Farm, is the Governor Stoughton Trust property at the end of Governor Stoughton Lane (off Canton Ave.). The late Governor William Stoughton left his 34 acre (formerly 40 acre) lot to the Town for the benefit of the poor of Milton in 1701, naming the Selectmen as Trustees. The property is worthy of cultural preservation to protect its significant role in serving as a Poor Farm from 1805 to 1941 and to protect its Native American history. In addition, the land is part of the Blue Hill watershed, resulting in the need for environmental protections and wetland conservation restrictions. Currently, money generated from an investment fund and from rent is used to assist the poor of Milton.
The Milton Friends of Town Farm formed after the Milton Board of Selectmen created a seven member committee to study potential future use, including a high density 40b housing development, of the historic Milton Town Farm.
To date, most of the committee meetings have been held behind closed doors without input from the residents of Milton. We have seen three housing proposals ranging in density from 88 units to 288 units. All three disregard the historical value of the Farm. The plans lack calculations to measure the fiscal impact to the Town of Milton, our public schools, public safety departments and other town services. The results of constructing a large scale 40b housing complex would have catastrophic economic ramifications for Milton and especially for our schools.
The Massachusetts Historic Commission recently notified town officials that the Town Farm qualifies for National Landmark Status. A national designation would allow the Town Farm to qualify for restoration and preservation grants that would fund building and landscape rehabilitation. Building improvements would expand the benefit potential for the poor of Milton.
In addition, Preservation Massachusetts, a statewide historic and cultural preservation organization, just announced their selection of the Town Farm to its “Top Ten Most Endangered Sites in Massachusetts.”
Please join us in saving this unique asset that was left for the poor of Milton more than 300 years ago. It has considerable value as a part of Milton’s rich history and is valuable as open land. Please help us in saving the Town Farm, saving our schools and saving our town. We are Milton residents who formed to SAVE THE TOWN FARM. Send us an email at townfarm@hotmail.com to pledge your support or simply join our mailing list to stay informed. Please check back here often as we update the site regularly.
Thank you.
Welcome
townfarm@hotmail.com
Art by Kate Fahy (10)
