The town is reported to be in negotiations to acquire parcels of land that could expand the footprint of the Town Forest and Ridge Hill Reservation.
The potential purchases are expected to be funded by most if not all of the $3.7 million in the open space reserve fund of the Community Preservation Committee and could be included in this year’s CPC request to Town Meeting.
The Select Board has adjourned to go into executive session multiple times in the past few months to discuss the possible purchase of property. Executive sessions are allowed if discussion in an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on a property negotiation. The purchases were also reportedly discussed earlier this month at a “chairs meeting.”
Chairs meetings are non-public meetings attended by town staff and the chairs and vice chairs of elected town boards to discuss issues of mutual interest and/or overlapping jurisdiction.
There was also discussion at the Feb. 4 Finance Committee meeting and the Feb. 11 meeting of the CPC on a possible open space funding request that could be completed in time for a March 11 CPC public hearing on this year’s CPC funding requests.
CPC projects, as well as any land acquisitions, have to be approved at Town Meeting.
Saying he could not provide too much detail, CPC Chair Dave Herer told his committee, “Once a purchase and sale is signed then it could be discussed.”
The Town Forest and Ridge Hill are home to trails in the two conservation areas that connect. One of the parcels being discussed is said to be located near Cartwright Road near the Wellesley line.
Town Manager Katie King declined to comment.
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