WINDHAM, N.H. — Selectmen said the Conservation Commission needs to hurry up and get minor easement language changes in place so the town can collect a $177,000 grant from the state.
"Light a fire under them," selectmen's Chairman Dennis Senibaldi told the town finance director Monday.
Conservation Commission Chairman Jim Finn said in an interview later that the language changes are in place and being reviewed by the state Department of Environmental Services.
After DES OKs them, Finn will present the agreement to the selectmen for their signatures and the town can collect the well water protection grant from the state, Finn said.
The town qualifies for the dollars — available to buy additional conservation land — by deeding the easement to a third party.
Two months ago, in Special Town Meeting balloting, voters gave the selectmen authority to convey the easement on 83 acres near Goodhue Road to the third party, Southeast Land Trust.
The easement extinguishes development rights on the acres and calls for the trust to keep an eye on the property — ensuring that it remains in conservation.
Selectman Charlie McMahon said earlier this week he was worried an extended delay finalizing the agreement might give the state time to renege on the grant given the state's fiscal woes.
Finn said the Southeast Land Trust is fine with the proposed language changes, but it wanted the state to review them before the agreement goes to the selectmen for their signatures.
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