BOLTON -- Officials at the Bolton Central School District are optimistic they are closer than ever to obtaining land for developing new playing fields.
That says a lot for a district that has been searching for such space since the 1980s, and coming close on a few occasions, only to walk away empty-handed.
And in a community full of hills and woods, flat land for sale is rare.
For much of 2007, the district tried obtaining 5 acres from Rolf Ronning, a local property owner, who was donating the land. But environmental and regulatory issues terminated the deal.
The two sides are working out a deal that will need voter approval.
Officials want to schedule a vote in early March, in which residents will be asked to authorize the district to spend $575,000 to $590,000. This includes the cost of the land, and fees for legal and engineering services and environmental studies, said Superintendent of Schools Ray Ciccarelli.
Had the district obtained the 5 acres earlier this year, excavation work would have been needed because the land was rocky. The property also had no water source or utilities.
But the newest proposed land is flat, and, by being the residence of the property owner, it already includes utilities and a septic system, which will reduce the cost of development, Ciccarelli said.
"This is a tremendous stroke of good fortune for the school district," Ciccarelli said.
The superintendent declined to identify the property owner or where the land is located. The property is approximately two miles from the district, he said.
The land is being sold because the owner is moving elsewhere, he said.
Last May, district residents authorized the district to spend $343,000 to develop the 5 acres. That money is already in the budget and will be used to develop the 17 acres -- if residents approve the new proposal.
Ciccarelli said the new proposal will cost residents approximately 8 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for 10 years.
"I think it's a reasonable proposal. I think it's the best proposal we could put together," said board President Chris Gabriels.
The district will use the land to build three fields intended for soccer, baseball and softball. The land will include bleachers and a parking lot, while the existing house will be used for bathrooms and as a concession stand.
The field will also be named after the family, who are longtime residents of the community, Ciccarelli said.
If the proposal is approved, land development will begin in the summer and finish sometime in the 2008-09 school year.
Residents can learn more about the project at the next board meeting Jan 28. Additional information will be available at the following meeting Feb. 25. A public hearing will be scheduled before the vote.
Claire Kingsley, who has been on the board for 16 years, said it has been frustrating to find land. But she feels positive about the current proposal. Residents have asked the board to do something about the lack of athletic fields, she said.
"This time, I think we have the town behind us. It's a nice piece of property," Kingsley said.
