Thursday, April 27, 2000 Older Editions

Article 32: Passive rec land money OK'd

By Rebecca Lipchitz

Town Meeting voters on Tuesday approved more than $1.5 million that Andover can use to buy conservation land, but voted down a $1.1 million project to turn the Essex Sand and Gravel pit at Recreation Park into playing fields.

Both moves were recommended by the Finance Committee.

While the FinCom supported buying conservation land Tuesday on Monday night it argued against adding $20,000 to the budget for a part-time conservation land manager to help oversee such land. (See budget story, page 7.)

Voters did not agree this suggestion, however, adding the position and two others, one each in the youth services and elder services departments.

Conservation Commission member Donald Cooper said approval of the $1.5 million in Article 32, combined with an existing fund of more than $900,000, would allow the town to buy several pieces of conservation land that officials have been negotiating over the past few months.

"It's the only tried and true method we have of taking land out of the development cycle," Cooper said.

But Selectman John Hess abstained from the vote on Article 32, and asked the Finance Committee why they recommended money for conservation land, and not playing fields (Article 28).

"I can't see how we can continue to afford conservation land if we can't afford to invest in our recreational needs," he said.

Voters also approved acquisition of land on Brundrett Avenue for $14,250. This land valued at $100,000, Cooper said.

Moderator Jim Doherty referred to the price of the land, which links other pieces of town conservation land and open space, as "chicken feed."