Land In Bedford And Goffstown Preserved In Conservation

BEDFORD, NH — Officials in Bedford have reached an agreement with a private land trust to preserve about 126-acres in both Bedford and Goffstown.

Bedford, along with the Piscataquog Land Conservancy, has agreed to purchase 43-acres in town from the Marcia Marston Trust. The parcel runs along the west side of Wallace Road. The purchase, around $1 million, will be funded by the town’s conservation fund, with no impact on taxpayers, according to officials.

Town officials will convey a conservation easement on the parcel to the conservancy.

Also as part of the agreement, the town has a right of first refusal on an additional 72-acre parcel across the street from Wallace Road if the trust ever decides to sell it in the future.

In a separate agreement, the trust is donating 83-acres of land in both Bedford and Goffstown to the conservancy to be managed as conservation land.

“While the two agreements are separate, the hope is to complete both conservation projects by the end of this year,” town officials said.

The Wallace Road area is “a fast-developing area” identified in the town’s open space plan as “a priority for protection because of its proximity to other conservation lands, demand for development, existing natural conditions, and scenic opportunities.”

The Bedford Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on Aug. 24 to approve the use of funds to purchase the property.

The town council will hold a hearing on Sept. 8 about the proposal.

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