Bethel's 108-Acre Land Purchase Goes To Voters: What To Know

BETHEL, CT — Bethel voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether the town should move forward with the proposed purchase and preservation of roughly 108 acres off Codfish Hill Road.

The Sept. 1 referendum follows an Aug. 19 special town meeting, where residents voted to send the proposed acquisition of the Menegay property to voters.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at residents' normal polling locations, according to the town.

The Bethel Land Trust has described the property as one of the last two large parcels of unprotected land remaining in private hands in Bethel.

The property is surrounded by protected open space and could connect the roughly 96-acre Wolfpits Preserve with the approximately 1,000-acre Collis P. Huntington State Park. Supporters have said the acquisition could help create an interconnected network of about 20 miles of trails.

The land could also provide opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, agricultural use, wildlife viewing and a community garden.

The town has said it plans to work with the Bethel Land Trust to pursue grants to help fund the purchase.

Tuesday's referendum is the final vote on whether the proposed acquisition moves forward.