Request for Proposals

Approx. 10.6 acres of forest and farmland on Fisher Road

The Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, Inc. (DNRT) seeks to sell an agricultural property comprising approximately 10.4 acres (according to a survey plan), located on the northeast side of Fisher Road, adjacent to Russells Mills Woods Reserve. The Premises consists of one lot. The property is covered by a Conservation Restriction (CR) that prohibits building any residential structure. Interested buyers must familiarize themselves with the terms of the CR.

Invitation to Bid

DNRT’s intent is to sell the Premises to a responsive and responsible bidder who is committed to continue agricultural operations on the Premises, taking into consideration the guiding principles and all the evaluation criteria set forth in this RFP. All bids submitted must have a total purchase price of $90,000. DNRT also intends to sell the Premises subject to a Right of First Refusal in favor of DNRT which will be recorded along with the deed to the buyer.

Note that while the financial aspects of the proposals are important, DNRT is not obligated to select the "highest bidder" if another proposal better satisfies the other requirements of this RFP as a whole.

Proposals must be received by DNRT's agent no later than 5:00 pm on Monday, March 3, 2025. DNRT reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive any informality or nonconformity with the submission requirements if it is deemed in the best interest of DNRT.

To be fair to all interested parties, all communications and questions regarding this RFP must go through our agent Barbara Honthumb.

All questions submitted to Barbara have been answered below. 

Barbara Honthumb
Robert Paul Properties
155 Front Street
Marion, MA 02738
or
bhonthumb@gmail.com

Detailed application instructions found in RFP PDF.

View Full Request for Proposals and Application Instructions HERE

Questions & Answers - February 6

The Conservation Restriction mentions 4.5 acres of “habitat for protected species”. Are these located on or near the agricultural parcel for sale?
No. The 4.5 acres of mapped habitat for rare species is located at the far western end of the
larger parcel (before the ag parcel was subdivided) and thus are not in the vicinity of the parcel
for sale.

Are there underground utilities? If so, where are they located?
The only underground utility DNRT is aware of is the municipal water line that comes in from Russell’s Mills Road and serves the hydrant on the parcel.

Are there time restrictions for when to access the land?
No. DNRT does not intend to limit the time of access to the parcel through the deeded easement from Fisher Road.

Will the farmer be allowed to close in part or all of the pole barn after repairs are made?
DNRT’s interpretation of Section II.B.4(a) of the Conservation Restriction is that this activity would be allowed.

Can part of the pole barn be used as a barn to house animals?
DNRT’s interpretation of Section II. B.4(a) of the Conservation Restriction is that this activity would be allowed.

Are there restricted areas for equine animals? If so, what and where are they?
DNRT is not aware of any such restriction in the Conservation Restriction.

Are there restricted areas for agriculture? If so, what and where are they?
DNRT believes that Section II.B.5(b) covers this questions.

Are there any restrictions regarding putting up lighting?
DNRT is not aware of any such restriction in the Conservation Restriction.

Is the water connected to the town water supply? Where is the meter?
The hydrant shown on the parcel plan is connected to Town of Dartmouth water supply. DNRT understands that in order to use this water source, the farmer would need to rent a meter from the Town and pay the applicable rate based on readings of that meter.

Is the hydrant in working order, and will the farmer be allowed to use it?
The one hydrant on the property is the property of and supplied with water by the Town of Dartmouth. DNRT is aware that a leasing farmer did take water from the hydrant using a Town supplied meter in the summer of 2023, and may have in the summer of 2024. DNRT cannot warrant the functionality of the hydrant. Interested bidders should contact the Town of Dartmouth Water Department at (508) 999-0742.

What is the recorded GPM (gallons per minute ) of water supply?
DNRT does not have this information. See above.

Is the water supply consistent? Meaning is there pressure/flow issues?
DNRT does not have this information. See above.

Are solar panels allowed?
The use of solar panels is discussed in the Conservation Restriction under “Reserved Rights” in Sections II.B.6 and II.B.12.

Is the parcel 10.5 acres or 10.4 acres?
The parcel is approximately 10.6 acres as per the site plan recorded in Plan Book 188, Page 33 at the Bristol County (South) Registry of Deeds. The RFP text did erroneously state 10.4 acres but this was corrected.

Can the farmer drill and use a well for water?
DNRT believes this is allowed under Section II.B.7 of the Conservation Restriction.

Can the existing telephone poles be used to bring electricity to the property?
DNRT believes that the Conservation Restriction only allows for underground utilities unless otherwise specified in Section B. “Reserved Rights."

We understand we cannot erect new above ground electricity connections, but where are the current connections?
DNRT is not aware of any above or below ground electrical connections or conduits to the property.

We know there are existing power poles, Can we utilize those to run new electrical lines?
See above.

Will the farmer be allowed to lease all or part of the property to another?
DNRT does not interpret any part of the Conservation Restriction to restrict the ability to lease the property. Additionally, DNRT intends for the access easement to Fisher Road to allow for use by the farmer’s lessee or other designees with the farmer retaining responsibility for any damage caused by them.

Will the farmer be able to lease any space to another grower? If so, is there some kind of process regarding permission? Meaning, reporting who we are leasing to?
It is DNRT’s interpretation of the Conservation Restriction that leasing is allowed.

What was the rental fee for the parcel when it was leased prior to this sale.
As with all DNRT leases, the rate for the lease of this property was one dollar ($1) per year.

Will the DNRT give preference to applicants who offer more than $90,000?
No. DNRT will not accept offers for more or less than $90,000. Bidders who do not offer exactly $90,000 risk having their bid disqualified, or at least returned to them for revision and the non-compliance shared with reviewers.

Certain structures are allowed in the CR; is there any restriction as to WHERE they can go on the parcel?
All stipulations related to agricultural structures can be found in Section II. B. 4 of the Conservation Restriction. However, the farmer may expect that location of structures may be requested as part of the review of the Farm Plan by the Town (the Grantee) as required under Section II.B.5.

Will the land owner required to be reporting activities on the land (greenhouses, improvements to barn etc.) to DNRT or other?
Interested bidders are required to read and understand the terms of the Conservation Restriction which details the activities that must be reported to the Town of Dartmouth (Grantee) and when permission or certain activities must be sought from the Town of Dartmouth before they are carried out. DNRT will have no authority or responsibility for the operation of the property once title is transferred to the farmer.

Is DNRT required to make check up appointments? What is that process? Do they make a request to meet us there or do they go independently?
It is DNRT’s understanding that it will have no right or responsibility for entering onto the parcel once title is transferred to the farmer. See Section IV.B of the Conservation Restriction for the rights and responsibilities of the Town of Dartmouth (Grantee) for accessing the parcel (referred to as the “Agricultural Area”).

What will the approximate annual property taxes be for the new owner?
DNRT is in conversation the Town of Dartmouth Assessor’s office to get an estimate. This document will be updated when that information is available.