SOUTH WINDSOR - — The town is buying a portion of the Foster Farm, a family farm since 1790, and has the right of first refusal if the remainder of the land goes on the market.

The council, after negotiating with the Fosters' attorney, agreed to pay $2.8 million for the 40 acres. A contract signing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb.27 at town hall.

"We've been trying to get this for years," Town Manager Matthew Galligan said. "We're trying to buy it so it stays as open space." The purchase price is what developers have been offering, Galligan said.

The town and Foster family have been in discussions for several years over how to preserve the parcel. At first, the family wanted to sell the development rights. The town wanted to buy the entire parcel, including the family homestead.

The agreement reached between the town and the Foster family is for the sale of about half of the farm. The family will retain the rest and continue to work it, said David Foster, who, with his brother Dwight Foster, operate the farm. Should the family choose to sell the remaining land one day, the town has the first shot. The agreement also allows a portion of the land to be carved out to preserve family homes.

Voters in 2005 approved adding $4 million to the town's open space acquisition fund and that's where the money will come from to purchase the land.

"Open space, time and again, is what people tell us is the most important thing in South Windsor, after reasonable taxes," Deputy Mayor Carey Prague said. "We've been trying to buy the Foster Farm for many, many years. It was a good deal. The referendum three years ago put the money in place. It was a very easy decision."

Town council member Ed Havens said open space purchases over the years have been worthwhile.

"I think it's probably the most important thing I've participated in, preserving some of the open space in the town of South Windsor," Havens said. "The Foster Farm is the last large piece."

Galligan said purchasing the land is a good financial move because it will keep the land from being developed into homes, which would add children to the school system.

If 40 homes were built with two children per home, there's a potential for $800,000 a year in school costs, Galligan said.

Havens said he thinks a better argument for making the purchase is the simple preservation of open space.

"What's a better argument is, we have open space we can enjoy," Havens said. "They don't make land anymore."

David Foster said it was his father's goal to preserve the land as open space. Walter G. Foster, who died in 2006 at 87, worked the land for most of his life.

"This way we can preserve some of the land and the town will benefit and get enjoyment out of it," David Foster said. "It's something he really wanted to do."

The farm was a dairy farm until about five years ago, when the Fosters chose to sell their herd. "We do a lot of pumpkins, we have a greenhouse operation, spring flowers." In the fall the Fosters create a corn maze on their property.

Family members will continue to work the land as long as it is feasible, David Foster said.

Contact David Owens at dowens@courant.com.