One of the questions I was asked at my recent meet and greet was regarding the unsigned draft sent to former Watertown attorney Bob Slye. The draft was mistakenly given to Mr. Slye in December 2022, by Mike Young, attorney for Mike Lundy, former owner of Watertown Golf Club.
The document stated that Prime LLC and Ives Hill Country Club owner PJ Simao would be compensated $1.7 million for signing a permanent deed restriction on Ives Hill, reducing it to a nine-hole golf course, thereby making Watertown GC (now called Thompson Park Golf Course) Watertown’s only 18-hole golf course. There was also a non-compete covenant mentioned.
We all know the city was sued in December by Ms. Blevins, after Mayor Smith asked someone to sue to stop the sale. In June 2023, Ms. Blevins admitted she received monetary donations for the lawsuit against the city, but she refused to name names. Mayor Smith was asked if he donated through his companies or if he and/or his family donated. His response? He said he didn’t personally donate, which means he probably did through other means.
As a councilwoman who voted in favor of the City purchasing the Watertown Golf Club for $3.4 million, people were curious what I thought about the purchase if the draft was in fact actually signed by both parties. Specifically, they wanted to know if I agreed with Mayor Smith who said that if the deed restriction was worth $1.7 million rather than the $850,000 as the recorded amount for the deed restrictions, then that reduces the value of the golf course to just $1.7 million and therefore the city overpaid for the golf course.
I responded that I disagree with the mayor and here’s why: The former Watertown Golf Club was a valuable piece of property of 64 acres. In addition to adding 9 holes to the city’s existing 9 holes, the city now owns the only 18-hole golf course in Watertown. Plus, the city received over 45 golf carts, large storage building, a large capacity event tent with a permanent foundation, an outdoor bar, tractors, mowers, grooming equipment, aerator equipment, all clubhouse furnishings, and fixtures and more were included in the purchase on top of the deed restrictions. What Mr. Lundy did with the proceeds of the sale was his business. Once the closing took place and Mr. Lundy was paid, he was free to do whatever he wanted to with the proceeds as it was his money now. The unsigned draft was between him and Mr. Simao and that is why Attorney Slye told the media that the draft was irrelevant.
The City has always had an interest in having golf in Thompson Park ever since it started leasing land to the former Watertown Golf Club in 1965 when the course became 18 holes from its original 9 holes. The price was negotiated to “a take it or leave it” price. There was a buyer waiting in the wings and that buyer publicly said the golf course would be closed permanently. I truly believe the City made a wise long-term investment in the golf course and the 64 acres in order to preserve and protect Thompson Park for future generations to enjoy. It takes someone with a vision to be able to look down the road at how this land might be used in 5, 10 or 50 years from now. The golf course can continue to operate but perhaps 50 years from now, the City may have new recreational needs or purposes for this land. That can now become a reality with the land under the City’s ownership and control. I believe in Watertown’s future and this purchase was a positive step forward in Watertown’s next chapter. Watertown needs a Mayor with vision and I am ready to lead this great City forward!