After a discussion that included concerns ranging from ATVs to bobcats, and some differing opinions from board members, North Haven officials will purchase land to be used as open space.

At its March 2 meeting, the Board of Selectmen unanimously passed a motion that would allow the town to move forward with purchasing a 30-acre plot of land at 182 through 188 Kings Highway and 1750 Hartford Turnpike for $447,500.

According to Public Works Director Lynn Sadosky, the property, which was once a peach and apple orchard, contains inland wetlands and is home to a variety of wildlife.

First Selectman Michael Freda said that the goal on open space is to take a defensive position to protect the town from “intrusive development” in the residential neighborhoods. In a follow-up interview, he said that it is important to protect the integrity, privacy, and peacefulness of existing residential areas and the town does not want multiple units per acre developments in those areas.

Freda said that about four or five years ago, a development project was proposed on the parcel, but it was not well received by neighboring residents.

“The residents on Kings Highway and Hartford Turnpike vehemently opposed it,” Freda said.

Freda told the Courier that the town would save money in the long term by preventing intrusive development, saying that taxes yielded by one house are offset by the greater cost to educate one child. However, he wanted to be clear that protection of current residents is the main reason for the open space movement, not cost concerns.

At the March 2 meeting, some concerns were raised by town residents over what the town would do with the land. Residents cited issues with traffic and litter at Peter’s Rock, a park with hiking trails and picnic areas. Freda said that the town has no immediate plans to build trails or do anything else on the Kings Highway land other than keep it the way it is. When asked after the meeting, Freda called the land a wildlife habitat in its current state.

While most residents in attendance at the meeting were in favor of the town buying the property and keeping it the way it is, Second Selectman Timothy Doheny wanted to make it clear that the town isn’t imposing any restrictions on what it may do with the property if it is acquired.

Doheny said that while he understood what the intentions were and that he was not opposed to the purchase of the land, he didn’t want the motion to pass with the understanding that the town would be prohibiting trails later on.

“Just because it’s on the west side of town doesn’t mean that people in other parts of town shouldn’t be able to use the property,” said Doheny.

He said that the town should be able to sort it out if other town residents come forward later on and wanted to use the property as something other than a wildlife refuge.

Freda said that because of those concerns, the resolution for the that the town will hold a public meeting at a later time where residents from all around the town could have input on if they would want trails or walkways on the property.

Third Selectman Sally Buemi said she considered voting against the purchase of the Kings Highway property because she thought the property was unlikely to be developed, and wanted to see the town’s resources put toward property more likely to be developed. She said she changed her mind because the residents in the area were in favor of it.

Freda added that being in meetings with the property’s current owner and the real estate agents has given him “a very strong feeling” that there would be a proposal for a development in the near future if the town didn’t move forward.

According to Freda, the town has bonded $1 million toward the purchase of open space. The Open Space Committee has also applied for funds from an open space grant, and it expects to have a decision by October. The town will pay half of the $447,500 price from the existing bond, and will wait to pay the balance until the town knows if it will receive grant funds. If the town does not receive grant funds, the second payment will come from the bond funds.

There will be presentations on more properties the town is considering purchasing as open space in the coming months. The selectmen’s Thursday, April 6 meeting will include discussion of the Valentino Farms located at 603 Middletown Avenue. A presentation on 3600 Ridge Farm Road, also known as the Greist Property, is likely for the board’s May meeting.