Mashnee Group Looks To Buy Republic Land

By: Diana T. Barth
Published: 10/02/09

A move is afoot by “a group of Mashnee Island residents” to buy the Leeward Road property leased by the Quahog Republic at a time when Bourne selectmen and the members of the Open Space and Community Preservation committees have been discussing the possibility of acquiring a portion of that land.

The town had hoped to pursue buying some of the land near the grill with Community Preservation Act funds, something that might have allowed for public access to Mashnee Island’s waters, at a place not far from where the causeway to that island ends.

Pursuing such a purchase would require the permission of Town Meeting voters.

The board was set to discuss on Tuesday the warrant articles for this fall’s October 26 Town Meeting, but an article that would have allowed such a purchase was never mentioned at that meeting.

Prior to the time the selectmen met on Tuesday, Open Space Committee Chairman Barry Johnson received a letter informing him that the property owner had entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement with a consortium of unidentified Mashnee Island residents.

According to that letter, the proposed purchase was for more than just the land the town wanted to buy, and included two other lots also owned by Mashnee Village Inc.

That company, whose president is Constance McClellan of Harvard, leases the Leeward Road property to the Quahog Republic, the former Mashnee Island Grill. At one time, what is now the Quahog Republic was run by residents as a private club.

The letter, signed by J. Ford O’Connor, who is the property owner’s attorney, said that under the terms of the agreement, neither the property owner, its agents, or its attorneys could work with the town toward any purchase.

Asked earlier this week whether he was aware of an impending sale, the attorney for the restaurant, Robert F. Mills of Wynn and Wynn, said he had heard that a sale might be in the works, but had not, as yet, seen any paperwork.

He said that the owner, Erik Bevans, had a right of first refusal to buy the property. That means no sale could be finalized unless Mr. Bevans either waived that right or matched or exceeded whatever the buyers were offering.

Mr. Bevans could not be reached for comment as to the length of his lease or the implications of such a sale on his business, but the Quahog Republic’s website shows that the establishment is gearing up for an October 11 Columbus Day weekend event called Seaweed Sunday, as well as for the October 17 opening of a year-round Retail Hut at the Village Landing Marketplace in Plymouth.

Thomas LaTanzi of Orleans, the attorney for the prospective purchasers, had no comment on the transaction at this time. Neither did attorney William C. Henchy, who represents the Mashnee Island property owners association, which has been fighting for a determination that the majority of the land near the restaurant is coastal dune and should be protected as such. 

That association also opposed the use of the parking lot on that land by Bourne Community Boating and has filed suit against the town in conjunction with the Quahog Republic’s license.

That association was on the agenda for last night’s conservation commission meeting.

Selectmen are expected to finalize the Fall Town Meeting warrant on Tuesday.

1 Responses to "Mashnee Group Looks To Buy Republic Land"

1. budsbuds says: 10/03/09
   

   This is truly unfortunate. This group has postured to keep town’s people out of this area and ruin a successful business and sailing program. I hope that something materializes that changes this.