Selectmen back $10M bond for town land

GUILFORD — About 21 years ago, voters in Guilford authorized $5 million for open space and municipal use land aquisition. Now, the Land Aquisition Commission is asking the Board of Selectmen to support a $10 million bond issue to replenish the fund.

Gary MacElhiney, chairman of the Land Aquisition Commission, told the Board of Selectmen that 91 percent of the original authorization of funds has been used for 11 properties over the last two decades. The commission is asking for $10 million, doubling the previous funds.

According to MacElhiney, land values have gone up substanially over the last 21 years and $10 million now is probably even less than the original $5 million was when voters first approved the fund.

Land aquistion funds fall into multiple categories — Class A, Class B and Class C. Class A is for open spaces, passive recreation with no structures and agricultural land. Class B is active recreation such as Jacobs Beach or Bittner Park while Class C is other municipal lands, including school and town properties.

MacElhiney said at the Dec. 20 Board of Selectmen meeting that if the commission uses up the proposed $10 million in a shorter period, they could have a future Board of Selectmen re-establish funds.

Selectman Susan Renner suggested approving only $5 million due to the upcoming budget season, which she called a priority, and the uncertainty of what the Board of Education is bringing forward. Renner added that the town may have to do it again in 10 years instead of 20 if they don’t approve the whole $10 million recommendation now.

“It might be a safer way to go,” Renner said, according to meeting minutes.

It was also noted during the meeting that this appropriation would still have to be considered during the budget process when the board considers other bonding.

“The budget process is the most opportune time to do this as opposed to burdening the town with a separate referendum,” First Selectmen Matt Hoey said in meeting minutes, acknowledging Renner’s point.

Hoey also questioned if adding money to the fund will impact the ability to pass the town budget and school projects. Despite voicing potential concerns, Hoey said the board could provide support for the inclusion of the funds now and make the final determination when the other resolutions are approved.

Selectman Charles Havrda suggested moving forward with the proposed bonding and that in the future when the board has more information the amount for bonding can be finalized.

He also said if the board finds that things are tighter than expected when budget season rolls around and they want to move forward with only $5 million as Renner proposed, it will have to be part of the discussion when more information is available.

The board voted unanimously to support the commission recommendation of a $10 million bond issue for the purchase of town lands to be included in budget deliberations for the next fiscal year.