Town Considers Creeper Hill Rd. Land

Grafton should consider purchasing 15 acres of land at 104 Creeper Hill Road for open space and recreation, according to at least three town boards.

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.

The property would provide access to Flint Pond, which is now limited, Conservation Commission member Peter Finn said at Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

The 15 acres include marsh and open water and could be used for trails, canoeing and to maintain a diverse habitat, Finn said. “It’s worthwhile purchasing and conserving,’’ he said.

John Wilson, who serves on the Lake Quinsigamond Commission, said the property was “a nice area to protect and to provide opportunities for recreation.’’ The commission voted unanimously to approve purchasing the land, which he said is available at a good price.

Selectman Peter Adams questioned whether the land was polluted or otherwise problematic. “We don’t know what we’re getting,’’ he said.

James Walsh of the Planning Board, which also supports the purchase, countered that those uncertainties are all the more reason to buy the land, since it will then be protected and spared from any potential future harm.

Questions were raised whether zoning could or should be changed for the parcel. The land now falls in an industrial zone.

Peter Collins of the Lake Quinsigamond Commission argued that a zoning change would keep industry off the land, since any possible runoff or other problems would affect “Lake Quinsigamond and beyond.’’

Selectman Brook Padgett said the “perfect scenario’’ would be to allow business on a third of the property and to preserve the rest. There are few places for businesses to locate in town, he said.

Finn said the town should look at whether Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife might have money to help preserve the land.

Assessor Jennifer O'Neil said the Board of Assessors supports purchasing the property and said the town could assign the land rights to a non-profit conservation group.

A public hearing will likely be scheduled on the issue at a future date.