Town Considering $300,000 Land Purchase

The Town is considering purchasing a parcel of land between the Hill-Stead Museum property and some town-owned open space.  

The property, which comprises about 12.4 acres at 70 Mountain Road, has been on the Town’s Land Acquisition List (a list of properties the town hopes to buy) since 2003. At the April 8 meeting, the Town Council voted to go ahead with the process to purchase the land by setting a public hearing for May 14. The hearing is necessary because the purchase price, while not set yet, would likely fall above the $250,000 threshold.  

According to the meeting agenda notes, the property’s exact size is not known. It is being offered by Alden Realty LLC, care of Joseph Zaleski, at a price of $25,000 per acre. The land is excess surrounding a 3,000 square foot single-family home.  

The property provides continuity between the Hill-Stead, with its many walking trails, and the town-owned open space, allowing for the possibility of relocating the New England National Scenic Trail – formerly known as the Metacomet Trail – off of Poplar Hill Road, where it currently is located, the notes say.  

The process for purchasing the land first requires the public hearing on May 14. The council may then refer the purchase to the Town Plan and Zoning Commission for an 8-24 review. At the June 11 meeting, the council would receive back the 8-24 report from the commission and vote on whether to go ahead with the purchase.