Selectmen back state’s land buy

Board members support the state buying 95 acres of conservation land.

TOWNSEND » Selectmen on Tuesday night discussed backing a state government conservation project that’s been in the works for some time.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife — as part of its long-range land acquisition goals — wants to buy 95 acres off

West Meadow Road and the board was asked to endorse the proposal.

The board agreed after some discussion and with conditions.

According to Fish and Wildlife field agent Anne Gagnon, the land would be used as open space and for passive public recreation, including trapping.

And as part of the deal, the department would pay all overdue

taxes on the property and agrees to continue to pay the tax bills, going forward.

Selectman Veronia Kell noted that a hearing is pending, since part of the site might be endangered species habitat and she asked if the sale hinged on site restoration.

Basically, yes, Gagnon said, as far as clean-up, anyway. “But we’d prefer that all the boards comply before we buy it.”

Town Administrator James Kreidler said that material that could be removed would be hauled away as part of the deal, and the rest would be redistributed on site when it is re-graded.

Kell wanted to discuss specific conditions attached to the selectmen’s letter of support. Cleaning up the site, for example, including re-grading and redistributing material the owner has been mining from it.

Kreidler said that’s a given. But Gagnon put a finer point on it.

The owner has agreed to remove trash and other materials from the site, she said.

As for stone piles and sand and loam for regrading, that work is expected to occur before the sale she said.

Fish & Wildlife restrictions also apply, she said, and the parties are lining up needed permits now.

“I’d like it to be done well,” Kell said. She also asked if there would be parking for public access.

“Yes, that’s the plan,” Gagnon said.