Proposed $800,000 Land Purchase Goes To Special Town Meeting In Guilford

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Board of Selectmen this week voted to move a proposed $800,000 land purchase to a special town meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 22 at the Community Center.

The 63-acre Bartlett Land Corporation property is located on Durham Road adjacent to Connecticut Water Company property, the Sportsman's Club and other properties, with access from the Lake Quonnipaug beach parking lot

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Environmental Planner Kevin Magee said last month the purchase would preserve forest blocks and wildlife habitat, prevent runoff issues affecting Lake Quonnipaug, and allow expanded trail networks and recreational opportunities, according to meeting minutes.

Magee said he will apply for open space grants from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection that are expected to offset up to two-thirds of the purchase cost. Appraisals and surveys are underway.

After the unanimous vote to set a special meeting date, Selectman Jonathan Trotta reiterated that he did not favor the purchase itself.

"I'm pretty vocal that I think we have enough open space and I'm not for this particular purchase," he said.