Thursday, April 20, 2000 Older Editions

Article 32: ConsCom wants to bid on land

In efforts to buy land and preserve open space, being able to act quickly is the town's best asset, says Conservation Commission Chairman Bob Pustell.

"If we get into a bidding war with a developer, we'll lose every time," he says.

So Pustell and other conservationists are requesting $1.5 million from Town Meeting voters. They want to have the money available for buying conservation land when it comes on the market. But article only allows the town to appropriate the money. The funds wouldn't be spent until a sale was finalized, Pustell says.

The commission is now negotiating to buy six or eight parcels, and anticipates some large parcels coming on the market soon, he says

Having the authority to borrow the money when the deal is made gives the town flexibility to negotiate the best prices, Pustell says.

In some cases when a land owner dies, heirs are often more interested in selling the land quickly than spending time negotiating with the town, he says.

"We have to give people a reason to sell to the town," Pustell says.

If the article is approved and the town can successfully acquire conservation land with the money allotted, voters can expect a similar request in the following year, Pustell says.

Conservation is also planning to buy a specific parcel between Hewlett Packard at the beginning of the town's industrial area, for $14,250.

According to Conservation Commission Administrator Jim Greer, Article 36, to acquire property on Brundret Avenue, is a steal for the town.

The parcel touches existing conservation land that leads to the Merrimack River, and makes a transition between residential and industrial districts, Greer says.

He also expects a request on town meeting floor to include a half-time Land Conservation Manager in the town's operating budget.

--Rebecca Lipchitz