ATTLEBORO — While doubts linger about the short-term financial wisdom of spending $3 million to buy bankrupt Highland Country Club, city councilors decided the long-term benefits offered by the 93-acre parcel outweigh those worries.
Councilors voted Tuesday, 10-0, to authorize Mayor Paul Heroux to borrow the money and buy the property. The measure required eight votes to pass.
Heroux pushed hard for what may someday be considered a historic move.
He said he was happy the decision was unanimous.
“I am very pleased and I’d like to thank the city council for what I’d like to say is the right vote,” Heroux said. “This changes the history of Attleboro. We can do all sorts of things with that land.”
Councilor Richard Conti abstained because his home abuts the sprawling acreage, located just off Mechanic Street in the heart of the city.
Heroux said the next step is to form a committee to explore the possible uses for the property.
He promoted the purchase after it was determined last month that the city had the “right of first refusal” because the property was given tax breaks as a recreational property for years.
The “right of first refusal” means the city could match any offer made to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and buy the property ahead of a winning bidder.
Tamposi Bros., a development company out of Florida, submitted a winning bid of $3,022,000 in May.
City Councilor Kate Jackson summed up concerns of a number of councilors.
She said police and fire headquarters are in desperate need of replacement and the annual budget is “stretched thin.”
Jackson said there may come a day when spending and taxes need to go up to provide services and facilities.
“I hope there’s as much support for those things,” she said referring to the more than 100 people who packed a public hearing last week to support the Highland purchase.
But while budget concerns are real, the city has to look to the future, Jackson said.
“I do believe that to not support this purchase would one day be regretted,” she said. “It will benefit us now and in the future.”
Jackson also apologized to the Tamposi family and its attorney Ed Casey for derogatory comments made by some members of the public last week.
Meanwhile, council President Mark Cooper blasted Heroux for declining to meet with the Tamposi company.
“The time and place for Tamposi Bros. in Attleboro is not Highland Country Club, but there are other places in the city,” Cooper said.
They should have been shown other properties, he said. “We slammed the door in their face,” Cooper said. “Is this how we’re going to treat everyone who wants to come to the city of Attleboro?”
George W. Rhodes can be reached at 508-236-0432.
