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Select Board reviews proposed conservation sale for Vondell parcel, discusses potential $604,000 VHCB grant and fundraising to offset town cost
Summary
The Select Board reviewed a purchase-and-sale with the Vermont Land Trust that would convey conservation restrictions on most of the Vondell parcel to secure a VHCB grant (discussed around $604,000) and leave certain areas (water body, parking lot and about 10 acres) exempt; residents pressed for clarity on how grant proceeds would be applied to town bonds and on potential dam-repair costs.
The Select Board reviewed a proposed purchase-and-sale agreement with a land trust to place conservation restrictions on the majority of the Vondell parcel while exempting the reservoir, parking and roughly 10 acres near the existing lot. The board said the proposal would allow application for a Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) grant of roughly $604,000 (board discussion referenced amounts of $604,000 and $606,104) and that private fundraising could cover additional funds needed to reach the town's target of about $1,000,000.
Chair Susan Ford emphasized the agreement is for conservation of development rights, not a sale of the land itself. "I want to emphasize that we are not selling the property. We are selling the development rights potentially," she said.
Residents pressed for transparency about how grant proceeds and any private-sale proceeds would be used. One resident asked whether grant money would be applied first to reduce the bond voters authorized to pay for aqueduct-related work; the board said decisions about allocation would be subject to future warrant and appropriation votes and noted there are additional Vondell-related costs, including dam repairs for which the board said it has quotes approaching $800,000.
The board said the Vondell conversation has been held publicly multiple times and that a public preference to conserve most of the land was a primary driver; it noted an agreement to withhold about 10 acres from the conservation easement to leave some development flexibility near the parking area.
