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Pownal Select Board will investigate purchase of two parcels including 21-acre West site; discussion tabled
Summary
The Select Board discussed potential purchases of a corner Blackstone lot (suggested price $400,000) and a 21-acre West property on Elmwood Road, invited owners to the next meeting and tabled further action until the absent Select Board member returns.
At the Sept. 22 Select Board meeting, Chair Jon Morris reported the board has been approached about two parcels that might be available for purchase: a corner property referred to as the Blackstone property with a suggested purchase price of $400,000, and a larger West property on Elmwood Road described as roughly 21 acres and located opposite the school and next to the cemetery.
Chair Jon Morris said the board is at an early stage of discussion and wants to gather more specific information, invite the property owners to the next meeting and involve the public before deciding whether to pursue one, both or neither parcel as a warrant-article option for the next town meeting. Selectperson Kate Day said she supports investigating both properties as they currently exist and determining likely costs.
Public comment at the meeting raised questions about priorities. Resident Susan Peters asked why the town would consider buying land when the Economic Development Committee has been encouraging private development, asking whether buying town-owned land is the best use of taxpayer funds. Chair Morris responded that purchasing could offer a less expensive alternative for locating a public works facility and that the board has an obligation to thoroughly consider options in the town’s best interest. Resident Cuyler Feagles asked about acreage; Chair Morris confirmed he did not have exact acreage for the Blackstone corner lot and said he would seek specifics.
Why it matters: municipal purchase of land can lead to warrant articles that commit public funds; such purchases may affect town tax rates, long-term planning for public works and downtown development strategy. The board emphasized this is an exploratory discussion and no purchase decision was made.
Next steps: the Select Board will invite the property owners to attend a future meeting, solicit more precise pricing and acreage information, and resume discussion when the absent Select Board member, George Pottle, can participate. The topic was tabled to the next Select Board meeting.
