New Public Records Raise More Questions About the Sale of 177 Old Elm Street
It's been nearly two years since our last update, but the concerns surrounding the Al-Noor Academy property on Old Elm Street remain unresolved.
We recently obtained 88 pages of public records from the Town of Mansfield, including purchase agreements, correspondence with town attorneys, and records concerning the property's Chapter 61 forestland classification.
What we've uncovered raises serious questions about how this sale was handled and whether the town's interests were adequately protected.
👉THE FORMER PROPERTY OWNER'S STATEMENTS WERE CHALLENGED BY TOWN COUNSEL
One particularly troubling exchange involves former owner Robert Saquet.
On February 28, 2024, following a phone conversation with Mansfield's attorney, Saquet sent a letter describing several matters he claimed they had agreed upon regarding the property and the town's Right of First Refusal.
On March 19, the town's attorney responded in writing, correcting Saquet's statements. Among other things, Saquet had incorrectly characterized the property as Chapter 61A agricultural land rather than Chapter 61 forestland. The attorney also disputed his characterization of the town's position on releasing its recorded first-refusal notice and rejected proposed alternatives based on the incorrect classification.
Why was the former owner repeatedly pursuing ways to eliminate or avoid the town's Right of First Refusal, particularly when the intended buyer had previously proposed a substantial educational campus?
The correspondence speaks for itself, and we encourage residents to review it.
📌THE PROPERTY WAS SUBSEQUENTLY WITHDRAWN FROM CHAPTER 61 AND SOLD
Despite the town attorney's March 19 response, Saquet submitted paperwork to withdraw the property from Chapter 61 classification in April 2024.
Al-Noor Academy purchased the property on April 29, 2024, for $1.3 million.
The transaction relied on representations that the property would continue to be used for forestry or agricultural purposes, rather than being converted to another use.
Yet Al-Noor had previously presented plans for an educational campus on this very property.
We are not suggesting that a future development plan, by itself, proves wrongdoing. But the sequence of events warrants a clear public explanation, particularly given the property's history and the town's previously asserted rights.
📌MANSFIELD'S OWN BOARDS SUPPORTED PRESERVING THIS LAND
The records also confirm that three municipal bodies recommended Mansfield acquire the land:
- Planning Board: 5–0
- Conservation Commission: 5–0
- Open Space and Recreation Committee: 3–0
These recommendations reflected the property's value for conservation, open space and its connection to surrounding protected land.
Despite this support, the property was ultimately sold to Al-Noor Academy.
📌WHERE THINGS STAND TODAY
We are not aware of an approved campus development plan or construction timeline.
However, the underlying concerns remain: the narrow scenic roadway, potential traffic impacts, wetlands, environmental disruption, lack of municipal sewer infrastructure and the effects of a significant institutional development on surrounding homes.
Residents deserve answers before any further development moves forward.
📌WE CONTINUE TO ASK MANSFIELD OFFICIALS TO PUBLICLY CLARIFY:
- How was the Chapter 61 Right of First Refusal ultimately resolved?
- What legal determination allowed the 2024 sale to proceed following the objections raised by town counsel?
- What protections and review processes remain in place should Al-Noor pursue development of the property?
For those of us living directly alongside this land, the uncertainty has continued for years. These aren't abstract planning concerns. They affect our homes, our neighborhood and our ability to make decisions about our families' futures.
We encourage residents to remain informed, share this petition, and ask town officials for transparency and accountability.
📣PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD
We encourage everyone following this issue to share this update on Facebook, local community groups, and other social platforms, particularly with Mansfield residents who may not be aware of these developments. The more residents who are informed, the better positioned our community will be to ask questions and hold town officials accountable.
📃🔗REVIEW THE PUBLIC RECORDS
For transparency, we're making the documents obtained from the Town of Mansfield available for residents to review firsthand.
These records include correspondence between the former property owner and town counsel, purchase agreements, and documentation concerning the Chapter 61 classification and subsequent sale.
View the public records: 177 Old Elm Public Records
We encourage residents to review the information, draw their own conclusions, and share this update with others in the Mansfield community.
Thank you for your continued support.
Old Elm Street Residents