Green for green: $800,000 sought for open space

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February 5, 2009

No specific site identified for purchase

By Bethany Bray

The Conservation Commission is asking for $800,000 it can use to buy conservation land in town, a move members say makes fiscal sense, no matter the economic climate.

A private warrant article requesting the money was submitted by Donald Cooper, commission chairman, and will be voted upon at Town Meeting this spring.

Conservation purchases are always a catch-22, said Robert Douglas, Andover conservation director. When the economy is good, and money is available, the price of land is high. When the economy is bad, land is cheaper, but fewer residents might be interested in spending the additional tax dollars.

"We recognize that this is a tough year," said commission member Howard Kassler. "We look at this is economically sensible, even in tough times, to take advantage of a good piece of property."

"It's always a good time to buy conservation land," said Douglas. "Once it's gone, it's irreplaceable."

Although the conservation commission is always keeping their eye out for new properties, said French, the $800,000 in the warrant article is not earmarked for any particular piece of land.

If approved by Town Meeting voters, the $800,000 will go into the town's conservation bond fund.

The advantage of having a bond fund, said commission member Alan French, is that the Conservation Commission can go to the bargaining table for different properties knowing the money is there.

"I've been in town since 1963, and that fund has provided a lion's share of wonderful reservations that everyone says they love. It's one of the reasons people move to town. There are a lot of recreational opportunities that wouldn't be there if the town hadn't made a practice over years of putting aside money," said French.

"The subject came up last year at Town Meeting if this method is a 'frill.' Land to be protected is not any more of a frill than some purchases made in better years to buy a fire truck, put in new sidewalks, or a school roof. When times are tight, I support completely that we have to cut expenses. Our position is that they should be equally cut. We have to spend less on conservation, but also on these other things."

Last year, the commission submitted a similar warrant article asking for $1.5 million, which was later amended to $900,000. A majority of voters were in favor of the article, but it did not attain the two-thirds majority needed.

This year's amount of $800,000 could also be amended or decreased on the floor of Town Meeting, said French.

"All of us in favor of buying land are aware that we (the town) don't have extra money," said French. "We shouldn't just pour out money anytime to buy land, but should cut our cloth to fit our budget."

Because it was not replenished last year, the conservation reserve fund is at a very low level, said Kassler.

"Our goal is to continue buying land, when it is inexpensive (because of the economy). I would just hate to miss the opportunity to buy land because we used up all of the reserves that we've had," said Kassler. "If a nice piece of property comes up and it's at the right price and now is the time to buy it, we couldn't do it right now. Once land is sold to developers, it's gone forever."

Messages seeking comment from Donald Cooper were not returned by Townsman press deadline.

Andover's 2009 Town Meeting dates have been set for April 29, 30 and May 4 and 5, although town boards are considering pushing the event back as far as June.

Warrant details: $800K for conservation

Private warrant article asks for $800,000 of town money be set aside for the acquisition of conservation land.

Property purchased would be managed and controlled by the Conservation Commission.

Any purchase of conservation land must be approved by selectmen.

A conservation purchase would effect the town's tax rate once the land was purchased.