In an attempt to stop the Woodsom Farm debate from going to a referendum question at a special election scheduled for July 28, Councilor-at-Large Thomas Iacobucci brings forth a new proposal.

At their May 12 meeting, by a vote of 6-3, municipal councilors turned down a 556-signature citizens' petition asking them to rescind their April 14 vote declaring 12 acres on the south side of Woodsom Farm as surplus.

They instead turned the debate over what part of Woodsom Farm should be used for recreational fields and what part, if any should be designated as a golf course to the voters to hash out in the special election.

Iacobucci believes a special election would not be in the best interests of the town.

"I am concerned that, given the heightened emotions on this issue, a referendum campaign would only tear this town apart," he said.

Tuesday night he will ask the council to rescind the south side surplus declaration, grant the soccer association $5,000 that would otherwise go toward special election costs, and begin the process of declaring 42 acres of the north side of the farm as surplus for the purpose of constructing multipurpose recreational fields.

At the May 12 Municipal Council meeting, Iacobucci questioned when, if ever, the north side of Woodsom Farm was declared surplus for the purpose of creating the golf course.

"We have not found any record that such a "surplus" declaration was ever made," he said. "More interestingly, we have come to the conclusion that -- even if it had been declared "surplus" -- the mayor may have been acting outside his authority when he issued the golf course request for proposal."

Iacobucci believes the charter and state laws allow only the Municipal Council to "lease or otherwise dispose of town property and facilities," and that the decision of what to do with Woodsom Farm should be up to the councilors.

Mayor Nicholas Costello said the land had been declared surplus and is prepared to bring documentation of that fact to Tuesday night's meeting. Costello said he will produce a town counsel opinion on the issue as well.

He believes that the proper procedures have been followed in seeking the golf course.

Costello commented on concerns of some that his involvement in any Woodsom Farm decisions is inappropriate because he is an abutter to the property.

He admitted to living on a corner of Woodsom Farm, but said that in order to ensure there doesn't even appear to be a conflict, he will eliminate himself from the decision-making.

"I am trying to keep the faith with the referendum question and the town meeting results. Twice the public indicated, by their votes, that they wanted to pursue a golf course." He said he has tried to work under that assumption.

"I am duty bound to push for it," Costello said. "If I get an indication that people want something else -- I'll go with that."