The Cheshire Town Council on Aug. 25 voted to reduce a proposed $2 million appropriation for land acquisition to $1.5 million and to leave the referendum language restricted to open‑space conservation and preservation purposes.
Councilors opened discussion after Chair Peter Talbot said the item was added late to the referendum list to allow the town to act quickly on opportunities to buy land. Jim (staff) told the council the town currently has under $100,000 in its land account, not including roughly $100,000 expected from a Fen Road property sale that could be appropriated for acquisitions.
Some councilors said the purpose should remain narrow. Councilor Fiona Pearson and others argued voters who approve an open-space question expect land to be preserved and not later repurposed for municipal buildings; staff confirmed the proposed ballot language is explicit: “appropriation $2,000,000 for acquisition of land for open space conservation and preservation purposes.”
After discussion, Councilor Don Walsh moved, and Councilor Milone seconded, to amend the dollar amount to $1.5 million. Councilors approved the amendment 7–1; the amended question, without language expanding municipal use, was then approved and will appear on the November ballot as written.
Nut graf: The council narrowed the dollar amount and intentionally kept the referendum wording focused on conservation and preservation, responding to resident concerns that land‑acquisition funds be used to protect open space rather than later converted to municipal development.
Details: Councilors discussed what kinds of purchases would qualify under the proposed language. Staff and councilors noted agricultural land can fall under the town’s open‑space definitions and therefore be eligible. They also said the town has used special referendums for specific purchases in the past (for example Chapman property purchases) and can still pursue separate, targeted referenda for municipal needs in future.
Ending: With the adopted $1.5 million ballot question, councilors said the town will be positioned to act on conservation purchases that meet the strict language voters will see on the ballot.