Task force eyes 127‑acre Bailey property for town forest

The Newbury Property Acquisition Task Force on Dec. 15 reviewed an offer from property owner Bob Bailey to transfer the 127‑acre Bailey property—forested land with an apple orchard and no structures—into town stewardship or conservation. Minutes record a listed purchase price of $265,000 with a seller contribution of $30,000, producing a net total of $235,000; the property’s listed value in town records was noted as $136,100.

Task force members said they will seek an appraisal and pursue funding before asking the town to act. Tom Kidder, named a co‑chair at the meeting, reported he has been working with Donna Foster, Project Director at the Vermont Land Trust, on grant options. The group also discussed asking the Friends of Tucker Mountain (FofTM) to accept the property as a gift and to raise a portion of the purchase price. Minutes note Mr. Bailey can be flexible on the fundraising timeframe.

The task force said the Bailey property sits adjacent to the Tucker Mountain Town Forest and near Woodchuck Mountain, which the minutes say is currently state‑owned and being purchased by the Upper Valley Land Trust. Members argued those connections strengthen the conservation case and could support applications to funders. The task force listed further action items including following up on interest from the Upper Valley Land Trust, completing an appraisal, and preparing language for Town Meeting warning by Jan. 23, 2026.