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Sugar Hill moves to add Warren Property to town forest; board authorizes signing of purchase-and-sale
Summary
Selectmen authorized a purchase-and-sale to pursue acquisition of the Warren Property adjoining the Town Forest, with funding plans relying on LCHIP and private contributions rather than tax dollars; the board set a goal of completing the sale by 2026.
Selectman Chris Ellms said the Conservation Commission has been working to acquire the Warren Property on Center District Road, which abuts the Town Forest, and that the commission has discussed an easement with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF).
The board authorized the next step. Selectman Dick Bielefield moved to authorize Selectman Chris Ellms to sign a purchase-and-sale agreement; Selectman Rusty Talbot seconded and the motion passed. The board stated the goal is to complete the sale by 2026; the purchase-and-sale agreement as described in the meeting record contains outs for both seller and purchaser.
Conservation officials told the board they intend to pursue funding from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) and to raise remaining funds through private contributions; the record notes citizens will pay legal fees associated with the purchase-and-sale and that the Sugar Hill Conservation Commission (SHCC) will hold a hearing on using its funds to pay for an appraisal. Officials emphasized that no tax dollars would be used for the acquisition, according to the meeting record.
The board discussed the conservation and neighbor benefits of adding acreage to the Town Forest; Selectman Ellms and the conservation volunteers described the proposal as a way to expand protected forest land and to preserve abutting open space.
Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes include the SHCC appraisal hearing, pursuing LCHIP application and private fundraising, and executing the purchase-and-sale if conditions are met.
