Joan Coe
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Platinum Board Member
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Meadowood Open Space Purchase - 2008/05/07 08:44
The Meadowood land purchase of approximately 77 acres, Firetown/Barndoor Land purchase for $2,750,000 should be acquired by the town,. The taxpayers would pay $500,000 for the first four years and $700,000 in the 5th year. This piece of land is an important acquisition and should be approved by the voters because it is a contiguous land mass connecting the McLean Game Refuge and Great Pond. Great Pond offers hiking and walking trails. The 296 acre forest also serves as a nesting place for a variety of birds and waterfowl. The McLean Game Refuge is named after the former Governor and United States Senator George P. McLean. The 3,400 acre preserve contains four hiking trails that wind their way through Simsbury and Granby. It was established for the protection and preservation of indigenous plants and wildlife. George McLean had the foresight to protect the wild animals and birds and give this land to Simsbury to enjoy for posterity. Great Pond was another donation to Simsbury. Our contribution, although small will increase the land mass between these two pristine properties.
. The Firetown/Barndoor land purchase is land that is also on an aquifer that serves the north end of town and has in the past been contaminated with EDB and Vorlex. GZA, an environmental company was hired by the town to test the soil for contaminants. However, according to the report submitted to the Town by GZA stating, “Due to the shortness of time, GZA opted for only total pesticides, which results are compared against the Residential Direct Exposure Criteria.” I feel that more testing should be required on specific contaminants to that site that have been identified in the soil and the aquifer in the past. There is also a vernal pool on the property with many wood frogs and mole salamanders that use this body of water for breeding. This purchase will be done over three years so that the fiscal impact would be minimal. There are also grants that could be obtained by the town through the Grassland Preservation Program and money could be obtained under Public Act No. 05-228, An Act Concerning Farm Land preservation, Land Protection, etc. The town should look at all revenue streams that can be accessed for this purchase. This property should be preserved. Vote yes at the referendum so that this property can remain as a contiguous undisturbed land mass to the Mc Lean Game Refuge and the Great Pond property.
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