M E E T I N G M A T T E R S
Ashburnham BOARD OF SELECTMEN SEPT 18.
Compiled by Caitlyn Kelleher

Top Story:

Selectmen continued the discussion whether to buy a piece of conservation land on Russell Hill Road until a special meeting could be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The board meet with Gary Howland, the president of the Ashburnham Land Trust, Lorraine DeSouza, of the conservation commission, and Dan LaRoche, of the Mount Grace Land Trust, in executive session during their Sept. 18 meeting.

Before the executive session, LaRoche told the board that his land trust helps groups with the initial purchase of land but does not usually retain the ownership.

"We've done this kind of thing before in the area," he said.

The owner of the Russell Hill parcel of land is taking it out of Chapter 61A protection which means the town has the right of first refusal to buy the land to keep it as conservation land.

The town is legally allowed to buy the land itself, to let the owner remove it from a conservation status or the transfer their right to purchase to a third party conservation agency. Howland said that conservation commission has

already applied for a self-help grant to buy the land back from the Mt. Grace Land Trust if they town decides to purchase the land or to ask the trust to purchase the land.

The selectmen will hold a public hearing on the matter at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.

In Other News:

 The owner of a black lab did not attend the public hearing about this dog. So selectmen order the dog to be restrained, the three outstanding fines to be paid and the owner to license the dog after a brief meeting with Animal Control Officer Margaret Bennett.

 Selectman Christopher Gagnon was appointed to the Briggs Building Committee.

 Selectmen began a discussion about the keeping of records including meeting minutes and tried to encourage the use of the Web site.

 The fire department was recognized for the large number of grants they have applied for and received.

Next Meetings: Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.