Lakeville Forms Committee to Explore Possible Purchase of 30 Howland Road Property

LAKEVILLE, Mass. — October 25, 2026 — Lakeville officials are exploring whether the town could acquire a roughly 565-acre property at 30 Howland Road, where a proposed large-scale earth-removal operation has raised concerns about traffic, noise, road conditions and potential health impacts.

According to reporting by Nemasket Week, the Select Board has established a 30 Howland Road Property Acquisition Advisory Committee to examine the property’s future and provide recommendations to town officials.

Town Administrator Andrew Sukeforth said Lakeville has expressed interest in the property for at least 15 years. The current owner, Carl Malloch, has indicated that he remains open to a possible sale, the report states.

Proposed Earth Removal Project

The property is the subject of an application proposing to remove approximately 6.45 million cubic yards of earth from about 167 acres over an estimated 10-year period. The proposal has drawn opposition from residents, environmental advocates and officials in nearby Freetown.

Concerns include increased truck traffic, potential road deterioration, noise and possible health impacts associated with the proposed operation. Freetown officials have also raised concerns because portions of the anticipated truck routes would affect their community.

The earth-removal application remains a separate matter from the town’s exploration of a possible purchase. Establishing the advisory committee does not mean the town has agreed to buy the property or that the proposed earth-removal project has been rejected.

Committee to Evaluate Options

The advisory committee will include representatives from several town boards and committees, along with three residents serving at-large. Its work will focus on gathering information and evaluating potential options for the property’s future.

Potential considerations include town ownership, conservation opportunities and possible funding sources involving state and federal resources.

A potential acquisition could involve substantial financial commitments. Sukeforth told Nemasket Week that town ownership would likely result in a tax increase, although the cost and availability of funding have not yet been determined.

The committee is expected to submit a written recommendation to the Select Board, with January 31, 2027, identified as a target date for completing its work.

The Select Board is scheduled to discuss the committee further at its November 4 meeting, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the earth-removal permit hearing has been continued to November 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Lakeville Public Library, 4 Precinct Street, according to the town’s published notice.

No final decision on purchasing the property has been announced.

Source: Nemasket Week | Town of Lakeville