Last modified: Friday, May 18, 2007 1:04 AM EDT Rough time for NA golf course project BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - The proposal to convert the closed Mt. Hope Street landfill into a golf course appears stuck in a sand trap. The proposal has stalled because the town and the developer have been unable to reach a financial agreement. Selectmen Chairman William Moffitt said the project is not dead, but said the two sides are too far apart to negotiate a deal in time for the June 18 special town meeting. Although an article seeking acceptance of the golf course lease has already been placed on the warrant for that town meeting, it will be rejected at that time. "I'm disappointed to bring this news because it is an exciting and interesting project," Moffitt said. "I'm not saying the project is dead in any way, but we're not close enough to bring it to town meeting." North Attleboro Golf Group is proposing to build a $3.5 million 18-hole golf course on 50 acres of town property. Negotiations have centered around two issues, Moffitt said: language protecting the town from any financial or other liabilities related to the golf course and procuring a fair rent. The liability issues have mostly been resolved, but Moffitt said it has been more difficult to come to an agreement on the rent despite four recent meetings between the parties and a number of e-mail exchanges. "We need to get a fair rent for what we're bringing to the project," Moffitt said. "We haven't come to an agreement on what a fair rent would be." A prior financial proposal was not greeted favorably by residents - most of whom felt the town was not getting enough for leasing 50 acres - during a public hearing. That proposal would have provided the town with an annual rent of $10,000, plus 4.8 percent of gross receipts from greens fees, founding memberships, inner club memberships on course sponsorships and golf car rental fees, which are estimated to bring in about $55,000 a year. The town would also save about $25,000 a year in landfill maintenance costs. The time frame for the lease, which had to be approved by the state Legislature, would be for 50 years with three 10-year extensions. Moffitt said negotiations will continue in the hopes of bringing the project forward at a future town meeting. Approval of a lease at town meeting would only be a first step in bringing a golf course to the former landfill. The project would still need to obtain numerous permits locally and at the state level.