Hopkinton residents left no stone unturned last night at an informational session on Bohanan Farm as the town prepares to vote on buying development rights to the land for $897,000.

Dijit Taylor, chairwoman of the open space committee, explained how the town would own just one of many rights held by farm owner Jamie Robertson if the vote passes at a special meeting in December.

Robertson would still be able to plant whatever crops he wanted or raise animals. He could technically close the land to the public if vandalism became an issue, but only after trying to work through the problem with town representatives.

In exchange, the land could never be developed. The Robertsons would still have to pay taxes, but the value of their property would drop significantly.

Selectman Scott Flood, reminded to speak on his own behalf by Chairman Tom Congoran, questioned the legality of spending money outside a regularly scheduled town meeting in March. Because of a bond article passed by voters in 2003, conservation money in Hopkinton can be spent with only a simple majority vote.

Flood said it should not be easier to buy conservation land than a new fire truck or ambulance, especially in a soft economy.

"I just think that's wrong, particularly in this day and age," he said.

Otherwise, questioners were largely friendly. Over more than three hours, the open space committee used a legally required bond hearing as something more - a chance to sell voters on the idea of preserving 413 acres set on the banks of three rivers.

Some of the approximately 60 residents who attended the meeting questioned how much access they would have to the land through planned hiking trails and a boat ramp for kayaks. Robertson said he wanted it to be open to everyone - hunters, walkers and boaters. About a quarter of the land is reserved for farming, he said, and would be off-limits while being used for business.

Conservation Commissioner Ron Klemarczyk said the town would have rights to build a parking lot for up to eight cars under the contract. He said it could be on Dustin Road.

Taxpayers would be on the line for $385,000 of the total cost, Taylor said. A federal grant from the Department of Agriculture would cover $417,000. The Robertson family is donating $7,500. Other private donations total $37,000 and are expected to grow ahead of next month's meeting, Taylor said.

All told, someone who owns a $250,000 home would pay an additional $11.50 in taxes, Taylor said.

Resident Dave Lancaster asked if the federal grant would hold until March. It would, but Taylor said the town could lose the deal with the Robertsons if it waited till then.

"The easement may no longer be for sale to us in March," she said.

Flood said the contract between Robertson and the town allows until the end of March for the property to be transferred. In response, Mark Zankel, chairman of the conservation trust that would manage the land, said it would be impossible to do all of the paperwork in time if the vote didn't happen soon.

Single page