September 20—The Diocese of Manchester has sold 21 acres of St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Bedford to a local builder who plans to turn it into a residential estate.
According to records from the Hillsborough County Deeds Registry, the property was sold for $2.8 million to Brook Hollow Corp., of which Robert S. LaMontagne of LaMontagne Builders of Bedford is named president. The property is located adjacent to Davies and Servant Streets, near the Manchester border.
The Bedford Planning Board approved the Diocese’s plan to subdivide the land in June. The diocese considered the excess land and was not part of future plans for the cemetery, according to the application filed at the time. The first recorded burial took place in 1848.
A concept plan presented to the city council included 33 lots, but no final plan was submitted. LaMontagne will need to obtain further approvals. The lots will be serviced by septic tanks and private wells on site, according to Bedford Planning Director Becky Hebert.
Access to the property will likely come from Davies Street, which is next to Boynton Street, according to the app. Other access is from Servant Street in Bedford and Bedel Street and Glenwood Avenue in Manchester.
Improvements will be made to Davies Street.
“Davies Street is a narrow road averaging about 18 feet wide. The proposed development includes widening Davies to a constant width of 20 feet,” Hebert wrote in a memo.
The cemetery is now 51.50 acres.
“The remaining parcel is the active section of the cemetery plus certain areas set aside for future use within the cemetery,” the application reads.
On June 27, at least 10 residents showed up to share their concerns about future development.
Autumn Smith of 6 Davies St. said she would lose 25% of her lawn if Davies Street was expanded.
The project will also eliminate the footpaths that extend to the cemetery.
The diocese says there is enough space in the cemetery for at least 150 to 200 years, according to the minutes of the meeting.
