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Council receptive to exploring Barwell property partnership for dark‑sky use; cautions on selling town assets
Summary
Councilors expressed support for exploring a partnership or lease for the Barwell property as a dark‑sky park but urged caution about selling town property without addressing water‑source protection and formal disposition processes.
Councilors discussed a partnership request concerning the Barwell property and its potential use as a dark‑sky park during the Aug. 12 work session. Several councilors said the site could provide community benefits as a low‑impact public use and that the town should not rush to sell the asset.
One councilor said the council should pursue conversations with the interested party (identified in correspondence as Joe) and other stakeholders and consider a lease rather than an immediate sale. Another councilor cautioned that the Barwell well is connected to the town’s water system and that source‑protection and water‑system implications must be addressed before any transfer or change in use.
Councilors noted past experience with public land disposition (reference to bidding on Comb Ridge) and said competitive bidding and public disposition rules could apply. A town representative who works for the interested organization noted the request appeared to be an initial proposal rather than a time‑sensitive demand and encouraged direct discussion with the town.
Direction: councilors asked staff to initiate conversations with the interested party and to identify legal and water‑system constraints before any proposal is advanced. No sale or formal disposition was decided at the Aug. 12 work session.
