Redbrook Nets Seven More Prism Awards

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BOSTON – The Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB) presented Team Redbrook with another seven Prism Awards at a recent awards ceremony. The annual awards celebrate the best of the best in the region’s residential building industry.

Redbrook Project Executive Daniel Gorczyca noted that five of the seven awards went to individuals who work on the project who were recognized for their hard work and professionalism.

“This speaks to the excellence of the team we have recruited,” Gorczyca said.

Abby Hecke, Redbrook’s office manager, received two Gold awards, for Most Valuable Team Player and Rising Star of the Year.

Amy Mencis netted a Gold for Best Project Marketing and Sales Person of the Year; Cecelia McGonagle of The Valle Group won a Silver for Best Sales Person of the Year; and a Silver for Best Project Manager of the Year went to Redbrook’s Evan Miller.

Overall, Redbrook won a Silver for Best Multi-Unit for Sale Community, and one of the Redbrook builders, Whitman Homes of Canton, won a Silver for Best Attached Townhome.

The company introduced the Redbrook concept in the early 2000s and worked closely with the Town of Plymouth’s planning professionals and elected officials to create an award-winning design that features 1,175 residential units — including single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments — and preserves some 2,200 acres of open space and minimizes the routine car trips that make up so many of Americans’ vehicle miles. The village center, with a new YMCA and its child care facility, restaurants, medical offices, and other amenities, is a quick walk from any Redbrook neighborhood.

Redbrook has won a total of 49 of the prestigious Prism awards since the new village welcomed its first homeowners in 2015.

BRAGB, a trade association affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts, has represented the industry since 1944. BRAGB has evolved into one of the leading trade associations in New England. With over 390 member companies, including single-family, multifamily builders, and commercial builders and remodeling contractors, BRAGB is one of New England’s most prominent and influential trade associations.

The A.D. Makepeace Company is developer of the award-winning Redbrook. The 165-year-old company is the world’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship.

Information about the village is available at redbrookplymouth.com.

Community Farm Planned

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PLYMOUTH/WAREHAM LINE – The A.D. Makepeace Company (ADM) is partnering with the Marion Institute to develop a Farm to Food Relief program to grow food for those in need.

Known as The Neighborhood Farm at Frogfoot, the six-acre farm will be located on ADM property in a remote area on the Plymouth-Wareham town line. On the site, the Marion Institute will grow food for those in need and make more local food available to food relief programs.

Members of the two organizations’ boards of directors and staffs celebrated the start of the project with a private reception and groundbreaking on site last week.

“This is a little bit of a dream come true for me,” said Jim Kane, president and chief executive officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company. He told of his grandmother and her family needing food assistance in the 1920s following the death of her father in a car accident. “How in 2023 there can still be people going to bed hungry is just beyond me.”

Liz Wiley, executive director of The Marion Institute, agreed that the project is the fulfillment of years of effort. “We are grateful to the A.D. Makepeace Company for their support and partnership in bringing this vision to life,” she said.

Both Mr. Kane and Ms. Wiley credited Chris Makepeace, a descendent of ADM founder Abel Makepeace, former company president, and current board member, for championing the project.

In the Marion Institute’s recently published Food System Assessment for Southeastern MA, a consumer survey indicated that the hardest to get food items are affordable meat and seafood, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Being able to address this issue by increasing access to fresh, healthy, culturally relevant foods and prepared meals at low-to-no cost will not only address the high rates of food insecurity we have in our region, but will do it in a nutritionally secure way.

“Our nation’s broken food system is characterized by an abundance of cheap, inflammatory, nutrient-depleted, immune suppressing, ultra-processed foods,” Ms. Wiley said. “Unfortunately, our current food relief system relies heavily on these shelf-stable products which ultimately negatively impact public health.”

Mr. Kane noted that his wife, State Rep. Hannah Kane, is a member of the Massachusetts Food Policy Council and a strong advocate for food and nutrition programs.

Through a multi-year, no-cost lease agreement, the Marion Institute will create, develop, and manage a Farm to Food Relief Program on ADM property. The shared purpose of the Neighborhood Farm at Frogfoot is to increase the availability of local food to area food relief programs in Southeastern MA by growing fresh produce directly for food relief.

The initiative will also allow the Marion Institute to launch a regional Gleaning Program that will increase the amount of local food available to area food relief programs. A gleaning program is based on the notion that every year, thousands of pounds of food goes to waste in the field because farmers either do not have the labor to harvest a crop or the market to sell it too. The Marion Institute’s trained gleaning volunteers will “rescue” this food before the crop is lost, delivering it to a local food pantry or processing center for food insecure individuals and families.

Both activities will be developed on a foundation of social justice, regenerative farming practices, education, and equitable access to fresh, local, culturally-relevant foods.

The Marion Institute’s Southcoast Food Policy Council connects and advocates for local food producers, consumers, and community leaders who seek policy and systems that strengthen our regional food system, improve community health, and eliminate food insecurity. The Council is one of several health-related initiatives for the nationally known nonprofit organization, whose vision holds that “optimal health is a basic human right, not a privilege.” Visit marioninstitute.org for more information.

The 169-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is developer of the award-winning Redbrook, North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern

Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship.

ADM Recognized for Carver Elementary School Donation

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CARVER – Members of the school community recognized the A.D. Makepeace Company and its Read Custom Soils division Monday for contributing special engineered soil valued at more than $50,000 for walking trails around the new Carver Elementary School.

The remarks were made to the School Committee by five very articulate students at Carver Elementary: first graders William Caron, Nolan Farquharson, and Ellie Beaulieu, Hazel Butterworth, Nia Blackwell, who are in the fourth grade.

The students shared their enthusiasm for the new walking/running path and shared their love for running including time with family, following their passions, and gaining a sense of achievement.  The three girls in 4th grade participated in the Thanksgiving race in Plymouth and took three of the top four spots for their age group.  Will and Nolan said the path was also good for bike riding and how it was fun to race and beat their parents.

The path winds nearly half a mile around fields that are used by town soccer for youth games and practices, said School Superintendent Scott Knief.  During the school day, physical education classes will use the path. It will also be used by the Elementary School’s walking/running club, with about 100 students participating, that meets before school two days a week in the fall and spring, and the space is open to the community after the school day is over.

During a brief slide presentation, Superintendent Knief said the walking/running trail was “value engineered” out of the school building plans as a cost savings measure, and the estimate for construction was more than $90,000.

Physical Education Teacher Renee DeMarsh spearheaded efforts to get the walking/running path completed using donations.

According to Chris Ierardi, ADM vice president and general manager of the Read division, the company brought in just under 400 tons of stabilized stone dust to create a surface that is ADA compliant and easy to maintain.

The 169-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship.

NACD New England Honors Boston Scientific, A.D. Makepeace, Rapid7 CEO Corey Thomas, Bennie Wiley, and Jack F. O’Brien at “Director of the Year” Gala May 4

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BOSTON – The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) New England Chapter honored the A.D. Makepeace Company Board of Directors at a festive ceremony in Boston on May 4.

“With a 160-year history in the cranberry business, the A.D. Makepeace Company, based in Wareham, Mass., is the largest private property owner in Eastern Massachusetts and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and land and water stewardship,” the NACD said in announcing the award. “John Makepeace was one of the three original founders of the Ocean Spray Co-Operative, in 1930. The board embraces a culture of responsible governance, with independent directors holding 40 to 50 percent of the board seats.”

Accepting the award on behalf of Chairman Robert Karam was Vice Chairman Eric Strand, with Jim Kane, president and chief executive officer of the company. Mr. Kane described the company’s advances in cranberry production.

“The company has thrived due to vertical integration and diversification,” Mr. Kane said. “Last century, the company manufactured its own scoops and wooden boxes. Today, we continue to fabricate our own harvesting equipment. An aggressive renovation program is increasing production, in some cases quadrupling the per-acre return. Abel Makepeace would be pleased with the progress we have made.”

Mr. Strand discussed its real estate development, notably the new village known as Redbrook in Plymouth, and the Rosebrook development in Wareham.

“What these two developments have in common is that they were constructed around cranberry bogs,” Mr. Strand said. “Jim mentioned that Abel Makepeace would be pleased with the progress we have made with cranberry cultivation. I like to believe that he and the other members of the Makepeace family are equally proud of this new element of the company, and how we have worked to celebrate our founder’s legacy.”

Also honored at the event were:

  • Public Company Board of the Year: Boston Scientific Corporation
  • Leadership in Corporate Governance Award: Corey E. Thomas
  • Myra H. Kraft Award for Non-Profit Leadership: Benaree Pratt Wiley
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Jack F. O’Brien

The NACD New England Chapter is part of the larger National Association of Corporate Directors network, the only not-for-profit membership organization founded by and for corporate directors. NACD empowers more than 23,000 directors to lead with confidence in the boardroom. As the recognized authority on leading boardroom practices, NACD helps boards strengthen investor trust and public confidence by ensuring that today’s directors are well prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. World-class boards join NACD to elevate performance, gain foresight and instill confidence. Fostering collaboration among directors, investors, and corporate governance stakeholders, NACD has been setting the standard for responsible board leadership for 40 years.

 

ADM Donates Specialized Vehicle to WFD

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WAREHAM – The A.D. Makepeace Company has purchased a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) for the Wareham Fire Department. The vehicle will be used for transportation to and from the district’s many remote wooded areas.

The UTV, custom built by Polaris, is especially designed to transport injured patients following incidents such as hunting or off-road vehicle accidents. Special added accessories mean the vehicle can be used in all weather conditions. It is scheduled for delivery in about six months.

“The Wareham Fire Department is thankful to the A.D. Makepeace for such a vital piece of equipment, which will allow us to respond better equipped to calls to include missing person, medical emergencies as well as ATV/dirt bike accidents in the extreme remote areas of Wareham,” said incoming Chief John Kelley. “While extrication of these patients, can be very time consuming with the current vehicles, the UTV equipped with the medical transport device will aid us in our core mission of preserving life and property within the Wareham Fire District. “

“We’re extremely familiar with some of the challenges that Wareham Fire faces, in part because we’ve frequently provided them with space or facilities for some of the specialized training they do,” said James F. Kane, president and chief executive officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company. Mr. Kane noted that the Fire Department completed an ice training drill on the company’s Tihonet Pond recently, and praised the department for its extensive training protocols.

More than 10 percent of the district’s forested area is owned by ADM. In total, nearly three-quarters of the town’s 23,000 acres are designated for agriculture, recreation, open space, or other similar uses, according to figures compiled by the Wareham Land Trust and included in the 2017-2024 Open Space and Recreation Plan.

The 166-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.

ADM/Red Cross Blood Drives Aid Hundreds

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WAREHAM – Blood drives hosted by the A.D. Makepeace Company at Rosebrook Place over the past year have provided assistance to 864 patients needing blood, according to a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross.

The drives began last May, after the company approached the American Red Cross and Southcoast Health seeking ways that a local employer and property owner could provide meaningful assistance through the pandemic.

“The need for blood donations was critical, and complicated by Covid-related restrictions,” said James F. Kane, president and CEO of the A.D. Makepeace Company. “We found space where they could safely conduct the drives, assisted with publicity, and gave time off so our own employees could give blood themselves.”

According to Kim Houdlette, the company’s director of community relations, additional monthly drives have been scheduled through September. Appointments are required and can be made through a link on the ADM website, ADMakepeace.com.

“We are truly grateful for A.D. Makepeace Company’s partnership during one of the most trying times this past year,” said Viviana Dorch, Donor Recruitment Account Manager for American Red Cross Blood Services. “With your partnership, you have helped to ensure that we are carrying out our lifesaving mission to support those patients in need.”

The 166-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, developer of the award-winning Redbrook, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.

MEPA Site Visit and Remote Consultation Session

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NOTICE OF MEPA SITE VISIT AND REMOTE CONSULTATION SESSION/VIDEO CONFERENCE

EEA No. 13940      ADM TMUD Wareham PV+ES Projects (Phases C10-C12)     

Project Description: An Expanded Environmental Notification Form (EENF) (please note: this is a link to only part of the EENF; see contact information below to obtain a full copy) has been filed with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs by Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. to construct three ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) generating facilities and energy storage (ES) systems:

Phase C10: 27 Charge Pond Road PV and ES Project- An approximately 5 megawatt (MW) AC/11.6 MW DC solar array and energy system requiring the clearing of approximately 40.1 acres of land on a 42.1-acre site. The Proponent will also remove trash and debris from an approximately 6,500-square foot area of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW).

Phase C11: 140 Tihonet Road PV and ES Project- An approximately 5 MW AC/19.3 MW DC solar array and energy system requiring the clearing of approximately 65.3 acres of land on a 66.2-acre site.

Phase C12: 150 Tihonet Road PV and ES Project- An approximately 5 MW AC/15.5 MW DC solar array and energy system requiring the clearing of approximately 49.2 acres of land.

The projects are subject to MEPA review in accordance with a Special Review Procedure (SRP) established on January 29, 2007 for the development of approximately 6,000 acres of land in Carver, Plymouth an Wareham. Phases C10 and C12 individually exceed the ENF threshold at

301 CMR 11.03(1)(b)(1), Direct alteration of 25 or more acres of land and Phase C11 exceeds the EIR threshold at 301 CMR 11.03(1)(a)(1), Direct alteration of 50 or more acres of land. According to the EENF, none of the projects requires a State Agency Action, such as a permit.

The Proponent has requested a Waiver from the requirement to prepare an EIR for the Phase C11 project, or alternatively, has requested to prepare a Single EIR for Phase C11.

A public consultation session will be held by video conference to receive advice and comments from agencies, officials, and citizens regarding which environmental issues, if any, are significant for this project. Opinions as to the extent and significance of possible environmental impact, and the Proponent’s Waiver and Single EIR requests, will be welcome.

MEPA Video Conference/Consultation Session scheduled for: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM.

*Please RSVP to alexander.strysky@mass.gov at least one hour prior to the meeting for instructions on joining the video conference or calling in by phone*

An in-person site visit will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Thursday April 22.  For safety reasons, the number of attendees at the site visit will be limited and all attendees must wear a mask and maintain social distancing. The purpose of the site visit is to view existing conditions; to minimize the duration of the site visit, attendees are requested to generally limit discussion to site conditions under existing and proposed conditions. The video conference on April 28 will include a comprehensive discussion of the project and provide the opportunity to ask questions and make comments on the project. To attend the in-person site visit, please RSVP to alexander.strysky@mass.gov by 5:00 PM on Tuesday April 20.

MEPA comments due on or before: May 24, 2021

Certificate due: June 1, 2021

Contact for project information: Stacy Minihane, (508) 366-0560, sminihane@bealsandthomas.com

MEPA contact: Alex Strysky, (857) 408-6957, alexander.strysky@mass.gov

Comments may be submitted by email to alexander.strysky@mass.gov or via the MEPA Public Comments Portal.

MEPA Quarterly Meeting

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ADM Development Services LLC will hold a Public Information Meeting on March 22, 2021 at 4:30 PM at the Rosebrook Event Center, 50 Rosebrook Place, Wareham, MA.

The Public Information Meeting is being held as a quarterly update meeting and pre-filing meeting regarding the proposed ADM Tihonet Mixed-Use Development project. The Public Information Meeting is being held and noticed in accordance with the Certificate of the Secretary of Environmental trendat Affairs Establishing a Special Review Procedure, dated January 29, 2007. The purpose of the meeting is to present information about the proposed development and provide the public with an opportunity to discuss and comment on the proposed development, including future energy projects.

The meeting will be held in accordance with the Commonwealth’s latest guidance regarding holding meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks are required and social distancing will be implemented.

For additional information, contact Stacy Minihane at Beals and Thomas, Inc. · 32 Court Street, Plymouth, MA · (508) 366-0560 · sminihane@bealsandthomas.com

Rosebrook Blood Drives: More Than Pints

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WAREHAM – Beginning in May, the A.D. Makepeace Company partnered with the American Red Cross and Southcoast Health to host a monthly blood drive series at Rosebrook Place.  Over 130 donations have been collected, with plans to continue the series monthly through the balance of the year.

One recent blood drives included a challenge between the Wareham Fire Department (WFD) and the A.D. Makepeace Company.  The two event partners held a friendly wager to see who could get the most representatives to sign up for the drive.  The “losing” organization agreed to make a $100 donation to a charity of the winner’s choice.

The WFD took advantage of their slight edge and selected the efforts of Don’t Trash Wareham, a group of citizens who coordinate townwide cleanup efforts. Taking it a step further, the WFD team enhanced the donation by matching it.

“This is a win-win situation,” said Jim Kane, president and CEO of the A.D. Makepeace Company and a blood donor. “In these challenging times, we’re all looking for ways we can help those less fortunate than us, and the Red Cross certainly needs our help. Enhancing a sense of camaraderie with the Fire Department and supporting a local organization makes the benefit even better.”

The Rosebrook blood drive series continues this fall, with drives scheduled for October 21, November 17, and December 16 at the Rosebrook Event Center, 50 Rosebrook Place, Wareham. Advance registration is required. Visit admakepeace.com or the A.D. Makepeace Company Facebook page for a schedule of upcoming drives and registration links.

The A.D. Makepeace Company, founded in 1854, is the world’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and an award-winning real estate developer known for sustainable land stewardship.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Burke, Vice President for Marketing and Communication, A.D. Makepeace Company.

Farmers Market Coming to 35 Rosebrook

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Wareham, MA — June 12, 2019 — Get your fresh veggies and more at Rosebrook this year!

Southcoast Health, in partnership with the A.D. Makepeace Company, will sponsor a Farmers Market at 35 Rosebrook weekly on Thursday afternoons beginning June 20.

Featured farmers are Steven’s Farm Stand of Rochester and Back Azimuth Farm of Middleboro. An assortment of additional vendors will be available, and vendor applications are still being accepted.

The market will run from 3 to 6:30 p.m. each week (except Independence Day). All methods of payment will be accepted, including WIC and SNAP benefits. It will be located in front of the apartments at 35 Rosebrook, just off Route 28, and will move inside the apartment lobby in the event of severe weather.