To Pelham residents and town officials:
In July, 2023, with financial assistance from the Town of Pelham, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity bought two lots on Cadwell Street in Pelham, on which Habitat plans to construct two affordable owner-occupied houses.
In December, 2023, Habitat received a letter from an attorney representing a neighboring owner who claims he “has maintained a 25 foot wide strip of land on Lot 3 that runs adjacent to his driveway that we believe would give him a legal right to that area.”
We cannot in good conscience simply surrender one fourth of a building lot for which Habitat paid $50,000.00. Habitat’s attorney Michael Pill of Green Miles Lipton in Northampton advises us that such a letter carries an implied threat of litigation if we do not give in to the lawyer’s demand.
Michael has initiated litigation in the Land Court in Boston, to avoid the possibility that the neighbor’s lawyer might sue Habitat in the Superior Court in Northampton. Unlike the Superior Court, the Land Court has a full time mediator and actively encourages settlement of cases. The Land Court judges have experience and specialized expertise in this type of land issue, unlike the Superior Court which must handle all types of civil and criminal cases.
While Habitat, like any party to litigation, cannot discuss the case, any Pelham resident or town official is welcome to call Attorney Michael Pill at his home office (413) 259-1221. Michael will field all such calls pro bono, in support of Habitat.