Questions Remain on Creeper Hill Land

Selectmen want more information before deciding whether to purchase 15 acres of land at 104 Creeper Hill Rd. for town and commercial use.

The board wanted to determine whether there were any protected endangered species or other environmental issues on the site before taking the next step, selectmen said Tuesday.

The town has the right of first refusal on the land, which is classified recreational/forestland under Chapter 61 B. The land is available for $350,000.

Representatives from Worcester Business Development Corporation determined there were 3.5 acres of land on the site that could be developed for business/industrial use. Each acre could be sold for $60,000, the representatives said, for a total of $210,000 in revenue for the town.

That would bring the cost of the property that the town would assume to $140,000, assuming the business parcels sell.

The town has been encouraged to purchase the land by various town boards, who have said the site could be used for passive recreation. A boat ramp onto Flint Pond is also possible.

Questions about an easement on the road at the site, which might need to be relocated, were also raised.

Selectman Peter Adams noted that the town might have to wait for some time, considering the current economic climate, before businesses might buy the acreage and ultimately reduce the purchase price.