Politics & Government

Woodbury Public Hearing Set for Tonight On Open Space Acquisition [POLL]

The property is located on Minortown Road.

 

Residents will have the opportunity to share their opinions and ask questions on the town's desire to purchase approximately 23 acres of open space on Minortown Road.

A Board of Selectmen public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the .

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The land acquisition would be purchased, in part, with a grant from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, according to the town of Woodbury website.

First Selectman Gerald Stomski provided a cost analysis and other statistics on the town website.

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Cost Analysis

  • Total Property Costs: $275,000
  • Grant from DEEP: $128,500
  • Total Amount Requested From Town's Open Space Account: $146,500
  • Approximate Cost Per Acre: $6,370
  • Total Funds in Town of Woodbury Open Space Account: $549,935

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Yellow Book Appraisals

  1. Galullo Licensed Appraisal: $317,000
  2. Beecher Licensed Appraisal $300,000

Estimated Future Costs to the Town

"There are no anticipated future costs to the town," Stomski stated on the website. "The property must remain primarily in the condition that it is currently in. It will be maintained as a agricultural piece of property. The town can expect to receive future revenue from the site from a future lease agreement with the farmer who will be farming the property. This revenue anticipation is approximately $2,000 a year. This revenue stream will substantially cover any maintenance costs that may be associated with the property, such as mowing."

Stomski said the town does not anticipate higher insurance premiums associated with the acquisition.

Conditions of Acceptance 

  1. Land acquired will be preserved in perpetuity.
  2. Left in predominately in its natural scenic and open condition.
  3. Left to protect potable water.
  4. Left to protect agriculture.
  5. Conservation easement provided to the state.
  6. Property made available to the general public for recreation.

Do you support the open space acquisition? Why or why not? Vote in our poll and tell us more in the comments.


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