Photograph by Robert Scheer
Claravale's cows may have to move if the dairy can't be saved.
By Clarence Cromwell
After a year of efforts to preserve Kenneth Peake's Bicknell Avenue farm, the Claravale Dairy Foundation decided to dissolve two weeks ago and has given up its option to purchase the dairy. Once again, it could be the end of the farm Peake has lived on since 1931.
On March 11, the foundation's board of directors met and decided to close its doors because of the lack of donations. They addressed a letter that night to the Peake trust announcing that the foundation wishes to give up its rights to purchase the land.
Peake's attorneys indicated to the city of Monte Sereno two days later that he plans to sell two of his one-acre parcels to developers.
Peake said he'll still sell the land to the current dairy operators if they come up with the money.
Dairy operator Ron Garthwaite said the dairy is preparing for the worst.
Some members of the foundation board are still trying to raise funds to buy the dairy. According to their fliers, they need another $50,000--if Peake would sign another contract to sell the land for the price agreed upon earlier. No one knows how long the group has to raise money.
At the same time, Garthwaite said he's looking for other places to set up a dairy with Claravale's equipment and cows, in case the operation is bumped by a housing development.
"We won't let it die," Garthwaite said. "We're still trying to make it work here."
The foundation formed about a year ago and in April 1996 put $15,000 down for rights to buy the dairy within 90 days. The group ended up negotiating another option with a longer term to buy the dairy for $1.25 million. The foundation would theoretically borrow the money from Peake and repay him over the course of five years.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, March 26, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.