Date: Fri 17-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

council-land-gift-Weeden

Full Text:

Council Turns Down Land `Gift'

Legislative Council Wednesday night finally decided not to accept an offer of

20 acres of land on Pond Brook Road.

The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended that the offer by property

owner Vera Weeden not be accepted.

"Other than the fact that this is a nice, green, wooded parcel, I see no value

to the town," said Council member Win Ballard. He noted that P&Z based its

rejection on three criteria: it would cost the town money, the parcel is

landlocked and does not fit with the town's passive recreation-greenway plans.

Mr Ballard said an old railroad bed runs along one side of the property so it

is not entirely landlocked.

"This isn't a gift," Finance Director Benjamin Spragg said, pointing out that

the end result of closing costs and tax reduction would cost the town about

$80,000. "The question is, do you want it?"

Council President Joseph Mahoney said accepting the property would create a

precedent. "What happens when the next person comes along and wants to donate

land that we might have no use for?" he asked.

The council voted unanimously not to accept the offer.