Town Spends $8 Million To Save Farmland And Trails (complete article from source)
Source: Hamptons.com, by Andrea Aurichio
March 13, 2008
Southampton - The Southampton Town Board voted to approve the expenditure of more than $8 million this week to acquire a two-acre scenic parcel of vacant land in the Village of North Haven, as well as purchase the development rights to a farm in Bridgehampton.
“We have had our eye on this property for more than 10 years,” North Haven Village Mayor Laura Nolan told to the Southampton Town Board members this week when they agreed to spend $2 million to buy a two-acre scenic parcel of land in the village using money from the town’s Community Preservation Fund (CPF) this year. “Thank you very much,” the happy mayor said, “the village residents are very excited.”
The vacant parcel of land is approximately 2.2 acres in size. The parcel, located on Stock Farm Lane, will be acquired from its current owner, Robert K. Morris, by both the village and the town in a joint effort.
According to Mary Wilson, the town’s CPF attorney and administrator, the purchase price will not exceed $2.26 million. The town has committed two million dollars to the purchase, while the village of North Haven will contribute an estimated $260,000.
Mary Wilson addresses the board seeking approval of
the $2 million purchase of the two acre scenic parcel
in North Haven. |
“Public support for the purchase of this property has been overwhelming,” Mayor Nolan said. “We have wanted this land for 10 years.” According to Nolan, North Haven village residents have been actively engaged in fund raising efforts to help pay for the land purchase.
“Your village put forth a lot of effort,” Supervisor Linda Kabot commented as Mayor Nolan handed a packet of letters of support written by residents supporting the purchase to the board.
John Hilgeman, vice president of the North Haven Trails Association, also praised the purchase, noting it would be a welcomed addition to the village for avid hikers and naturalists.
“I was out there the other day looking around,” Hilgeman said. “It was so beautiful. I saw white birch trees, dogwood, shade beech trees and oak trees with two feet diameters.”
Buys Development Rights Too
The town has also moved forward with the purchase of the development rights to three vacant parcels of land totaling approximately 4.7 acres located on Newlight Lane in Bridgehampton.
Development rights to the vacant lots will be acquired in conjunction with the Peconic Land Trust (PLT) for an estimated $6 million. The Peconic Land Trustee will enter into a contract of sale with the current owners to buy the underlying restricted fee title for an estimated maximum price of $80,000 an acre. This joint agreement will reduce the town’s share of the total purchase price to $5,627,600.
In the event that, for any reason, the PLT does not purchase the fee title to the land, the town will move ahead and acquire the fee title along with the planned purchase of the development rights.
Located in a Farmland Preservation Target Area by the Community Preservation Project Fund, the property is also adjacent to a active 20-acre farm.
“This acquisition will add to the available farm land in the area,” CPF attorney Wilson commented in support of the purchase.
The board also voted to approve the purchase of a 0.18-acre vacant lot located on Baycrest Avenue and Ocean Avenue in East Quogue for $160,000. The lot, owned by Joseph Zachary Gazza, is located within a Special Old Filed Map.
Click here for complete article from Hamptons.com
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