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Resident asks to buy wetland parcel; committee to seek Board of Education agreement in principle
Summary
An 80‑year‑old resident asked the Real Estate Committee to purchase land behind her home (described as wetlands and school‑owned), and the committee moved to have counsel request the Bristol Board of Education’s agreement in principle so a private survey and sale could proceed if approved.
A resident identified as Marion spoke during public participation and asked to buy a parcel she described as wetlands and fenced school property immediately behind her home. Marion said she had spent money over decades to stabilize a steep drop, install a fence and remove hazardous trees, and asked the committee either to allow her to purchase the land or to create an agreement limiting city liability if she continued maintaining it.
Chair and committee members discussed procedure. The committee approved a motion directing counsel to send a letter to the Bristol Board of Education seeking agreement in principle to allow the board to sell the specific parcel to the resident. Committee members agreed the next step, if the board agrees in principle, would be a survey to define the exact area; committee members explicitly said they would not pay for the survey and that survey costs would fall to the purchaser.
Committee member questions and context: Members noted prior examples where the board requested a map (one past case cited a 0.56‑acre figure) and emphasized the need to confirm the precise area before incurring survey expenses. The chair said he would respond to the resident after conducting background checks and due diligence.
Representative quote: Marion said, "I'm 80 years old. I'm gonna die in that house... I would like to purchase the property." The chair said he would "take a look at that" and follow up.
Next steps: Counsel will send the letter to the Bristol Board of Education requesting approval in principle; if the board agrees, the resident may be asked to fund a survey and the committee will discuss specific terms and next steps.
