McInerney ‘confident’ Grafton can accept Engvall land donation
The state Department of Environmental Protection is examining soil reports for a North Street property the Engvall family hopes to donate to the town.
The 17-acre property at 93 North St. was the home of an apple and peach orchard, later changing to Christmas trees, family member Eric Engvall told the Select Board Tuesday. A large portion of the property is a woodlot which has gone mostly untouched for the past 60 years.
It was Virginia Engvall’s dying wish in 2019 that her family preserve the property, held by the family for five generations, by donating it to the town of Grafton. She asked that it be used as open space or passive recreation.
Initial soil tests by Parker Environmental found elevated levels of lead and slightly elevated levels of arsenic in the orchard portion, but it does not extend to the entire property.
Town Administrator Tim McInerney said the town at this point is “comfortable” accepting the land at the June 20 Town Meeting.
“We really appreciate this generous offer and gift,” Select Board member Peter Carlson added.
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