Locals Oppose Proposed Land Swap Deal

TEWKSBURY, MA-A land swap deal here that would shift land from the local state-run hospital to a well-connected local developer has ignited the anger of local activists as well as state politicians. The plan, proposed by local developer John Sullivan–who is chairman of the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals–is to build a 288-apartment complex.

The proposed land swap deal involves exchanging 25.4 acres of private land adjacent to Tewksbury Hospital off East Street for 19 acres of hospital land on Livingston Street. The 19 acres is just part of the hospital’s 800 acres.

Reportedly, the state Department of Public Health prefers developing the apartments on Livingston Street because there are three wells near East Street that could be endangered from a nearby development. Many local opponents to the plan object to the development of the Livingston Street area, which currently has a number of playing fields.