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Portsmouth Private School Buys Family Farm for $1.5 Million

The private school has purchased the Briggs Family farm on West Main Road.

 

The Portsmouth Abbey School has purchased the locally famous Briggs' Farm, reports The Sakonnet Times

The private school purchased the former family farm, which includes the farmhouse and more than 20-acres of land, for $1.5 million, according to The Sakonnet Times

Former state Rep. Vincent Mesolella, a well-known developer, was previously in talks to purchase this land. He also petitioned the town to change the zoning on the property from light industrial to commercial.

The proposal led to public hearings, in which the group Preserve Portsmouth encouraged residents to oppose commercial development at this location. 

Future plans for the site are unknown, the Portsmouth Abbey tells The Sakonnet Times. The land is located on the corner of West Main Road and Cory's Lane. 

Related Topics: Briggs, Briggs Farm, and Portsmouth Abbey

Robert E

4:28 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Just what we need more property removed form the tax rolls Had they gone ahead with the commercial development this land would be genarating revenue for the town. The Abbey uses town services but pays nothing to the town isn't that just great.

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Good Year

8:05 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013

Slap in the face to residents who continue to get crushed by property taxes. The town had an opportunity for a commercial property that would have taken some of the tax burden off the residents.

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getreal

8:24 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013

I think it is time for some of these tax exempts to start paying something....

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Artie Denman

12:07 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013

Portsmouth is no longer the great rural community that I grew up! Swallowed up by the Vatican the richest landholders in the world and corporate thugs out of New York and Boston! The old blue collar types that taught me what community is are all being chased out with high assessments! Taxes Tolls and high unemployment should probably be the final nails in Portsmouth's coffin!

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Robert E

12:08 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013

They cant force the non profits to pay taxes but the town could bill them every time they use a town service.

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Rhody

12:31 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013

Are you commenters the same type of people who want commercial development, but shoot down just just about every plan that comes before the town? Everyone in Portsmouth wants "commercial development," they just don't want it in their backyard.

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Portsmouth Today

1:56 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013

It was my understanding that the Portsmouth Abbey School pays considerable property taxes. You may want to check your facts.

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Westwind

11:42 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

This is the only piece of property that sold in Portsmouth???

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