The collapse in investor interest blamed on the ailing economy

By Lloyd Garrison

The decision by the three principal partners of the Yale Farm Golf
Club to pull their application seeking state and local approval answers
one question but raises many more about the property’s uncertain
future.
The decision to withdraw was e-mailed to the state Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) late in the day on April 27. It was
signed by principal investor Roland Betts along with his associate
David Tewskbury and Slade Mead, one of the heirs to the 780 acre
Yale Farm property that straddles Norfolk and Canaan.
Neither Betts nor Tewskbury could be reached before Norfolk Now
went to press. But asked about the future of the property, Slade
Mead, speaking by cell phone before boarding a plane in Phoenix,
said, “that is just what we are trying to figure out. As for details, I don’t
have any. All I can say is that it’s not going to stay a farm.”
Given the state of the economy, few believe that even a move to
develop moderately priced housing on the farm would attract many
buyers.
“The collapse of America's economy doomed Yale Farm,” wrote
Betts, who composed the e-mail to the DEP. “In short, our economic
model, which was dependent on membership sales, is no longer
viable. “
He added: “We realize that much was written about housing; but in
fact, housing was the tail not the dog.” This was an obvious reference
to a controversial proposal to build up to 61 luxury homes on the site.
It was quickly withdrawn seven years ago shortly after hearings
began before Canaan’s and Norfolk’s Wetlands and Planning and
Zoning Commissions. After numerous challenges from The
Committee for Sound Growth and other intervenors, both Norfolk-
based commissions gave the golf club plan their approval.
While Betts applauded the commissioners for “their patience,
perseverance, objectivity and goodwill,” he dismissed opponents of
the project for being “long on hysteria and short on science.”
“Not so,” said Vint Lawrence, speaking for the Committee for Sound
Growth. “What the Coalition stood for at the beginning,” he said, “we
stand for now: good science and good process. That the Attorney

General, Richard Blumenthal, recently agreed with us and was
prepared to fight on our behalf, was both a vindication and validation
of our long-standing position.”
Betts said the decision to withdraw was taken in part because of the
frantic attempts by many luxury golf clubs in the area to stave off
bankruptcy. “Clubs throughout the northeast are under enormous
stress,” said Betts. “They are losing members, cutting dues, making
deals to keep existing members…even poaching each others
members. And still many will not survive.”
The future consequences of the withdrawal are still unclear, but there
is no doubt that the town has spent over several hundred thousand
dollars in legal fees during the permitting process and three court
cases, with nothing so far to show for it.
“I am disappointed after all that time and money was spent,” said First
Selectman Sue Dyer. “The unfortunate thing about the plan’s failure
is that had it gone through the Public Act 490 tax break on the Mead’s
farm and forest land would have ended and yielded a lot more
revenue. And assessments on the holes on the Norfolk side of course
could have added up to a million dollars to the town’s grand list.”
P & Z chairman West Lowe was out of town and out of cell phone
range. Vice Chairman William Riiska saw the glass as half full. “Even
if this project isn’t going ahead at this time,” he said, “A lot of what we
have learned will be valuable, as the whole permitting process was
an education for a lot of us. Our job isn’t over. This will come back to
us.”
“This comes as no surprise,” said town attorney David Cusick, who
represented both commissions during the seven years of hearings
and court dates. He recalled an earlier client who invested millions
and gained all the permits necessary to build a high-end golf club in
Colebrook in the late 1990s. “He gave up when the real estate market
took a dive. Things are much worse now.”

Bett’s Final Remarks
The Mead family has owned the Yale Farm property for over 90
years, Roland & Lois Betts have had a home in Clayton Corners for
27 years and David Tewksbury has had his home abutting the Yale
Farm property for 16 years. All of us are keenly disappointed to have
reached this conclusion. We all love the Berkshires. The permitting
process is not without scars and strained friendships but the economy
dictates that is time to turn the page. Sincerely, Roland W. Betts,
Slade Mead, David A. Tewksbury.

For now, no changes are in sight at Yale Farm.