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Controversial proposal to purchase, develop Barker Forest among topics of Tuesday’s special BOA meeting

By Dean Shalhoup - Senior Staff Reporter | Dec 5, 2021

A rendering of the proposed development of the Barker Forest, submitted by Thorndike Development Corporation.

NASHUA — A proposal by a developer of high-end residential properties to purchase and develop the 13-acre Barker property, which sits atop Bartlett Avenue and abuts Greeley Park, will be the topic of a special meeting Tuesday evening of the Board of Aldermen.

The proposal, which has been met with a surge of opposition since it was aired at a public hearing in mid-November, calls for the construction of an upscale condominium development on the so-called “Barker Forest” property, which includes a uniquely designed single-floor ranch style residence.

Tuesday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Aldermanic chamber. It will also be aired on Zoom. Go to www.nashuanh.gov for the Zoom information.

The resolution — R-21-202 — is one of four scheduled for discussion at Tuesday’s meeting. It is listed last on the agenda.

The first one on the agenda is R-21-187, which proposes changing the purpose of unexpended bond proceeds from the LED street light project to infrastructure improvements, mainly repair and addition of sidewalks.

R-21-189 would authorize city officials to issue bonds up to roughly $1.9 million for various improvements at the Four Hills landfill and to purchase a refuse truck and a loader.

R-21-193 has to do with issuing bonds of up to $21 million to cover costs associated with the planning and construction of a riverwalk adjacent to the Nashua River near Main Street.

As for the Barker Forest matter, the potential development of the property, which is currently owned by a trust in the name of Douglas and Dorothy Barker, raised concerns among many residents of the neighborhood as well as across the city that if the parcel is developed, a “rare and unique urban forest” will be lost.

The firm seeking to purchase the property is Natick, Massachusetts-based Thorndike Development Corporation, which is described on its Website as having “a track record and reputation for quality homes and neighborhoods designed and built for New England’s discerning customer.”

A petition against the project has been posted on the website change.org, and as of Sunday has garnered about 2,800 signatures.

A rendering of the proposed development indicates the condos would be surrounded by a “woodland to be preserved” on the northwest side, which abuts Greeley Park.

Traffic would enter and exit the complex near the corner of Bartlett Avenue and Wellington Street, according to the rendering and the statement posted on the change.org petition.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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