Selectmen recommend purchase of 13.25-acre Hope Valley Road parcel, refer funding to Board of Finance

The Hebron Board of Selectmen voted Nov. 6 to recommend acquisition of a 13.25‑acre parcel on Hope Valley Road and to refer the matter to the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of Finance for funding approval.

The motion, read aloud to the board, states that the Board of Selectmen recommend the acquisition of Lot 29‑6 on Hope Valley Road, Amston, Connecticut (13.25 acres), refer the proposal to the Planning & Zoning Commission for an 8‑24 review, and further refer to the Board of Finance for approval of funding to come from the town's unassigned fund balance.

During discussion, board members and staff said the Open Space Land Acquisition Committee had asked the board to pursue purchase for flexibility in future town uses. The town planner explored split financing options and, after consulting with OSLAC leadership, staff recommended funding the purchase from town funds rather than the open space fund to preserve flexibility for future uses.

Board members asked about the fiscal impact. Staff cited a current unassigned fund balance near 19 percent and said the $210,000 request would amount to roughly a half‑percent reduction (ballpark) and would not reduce the balance below the town's 18 percent threshold. Selectmen framed the purchase as relatively small against the fund balance and useful for preserving future municipal options.

The resolution passed on a recorded voice roll call with members responding "aye"; the board recorded the motion as approved.