DERRY — The Town Council will hold a public hearing tonight on the town's plan to purchase land along Route 28. The town hopes to widen Route 28 north of Crystal Avenue from two lanes to five, but first needs to acquire land along the road.
Public works Director Mike Fowler said the town already has sent the 17 property owners initial proposals for the land but not all of them have responded. No purchase and sale agreements have been signed yet.
After tonight's hearing, the town will send another formal offer to the owners. The town could take the land by eminent domain if necessary, Fowler said.
"We still want to have friendly acquisitions," he said.
The plans to expand the road are complete except for a few minor details. Fowler expects bids for the project to be sent by mid-May. The town plans to break ground on the project in July.
Town councilors said tonight's public hearing is just another step in extending the town's right of way along the road.
"I think they'll get their fair share at the end of the day," Councilor Brian Chirichiello said.
Chirichiello said the town won't pay any more than fair market value for the property.
Councilor Kevin Coyle said some of the property owners don't realize widening the road will improve property values in the area.
"They don't see the long-term benefits to them," Coyle said.
In September, the town created a tax increment finance district to help bring new business to the hundreds of available acres in the area. The town can pay for improvements using tax money generated in the district.
Widening the road is one of the key steps in attracting economic development, councilors have said.
"I think most people in town have sat in traffic in that area for far too long," Councilor Brent Carney said.
Tonight's council meeting starts at 7:30 at the Derry Municipal Center.
ÔÇæÔÇæÔÇæ
Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to eagletribune.com.
