Politics & Government
Debt Exclusion Approved for Red Gate Farm
Voters approved funding 1,022 to 514 to purchase 30 acres of Red Gate Farm.
At a special election on Monday, Oct. 21, voters approved a debt exclusion to fund the purchase of 30 acres of Red Gate Farm.
The vote was 1,022 in favor of, and 514 opposed to, the borrowing of approximately $1.4 million, plus $500,000 in interest, to buy the land.
Town officials said the voter turnout was high (1,536 people) for a special election which approved the purchase by a 2:1 margin.
Selectman Richard DeSorgher said he was pleased with the vote, calling it the right thing for the town.
"Down the road, people will look at this as a 'wisdom vote,' just like they did with Noon Hill in 1975," DeSorgher said. "I think people will look back and say that the people in 2013 made a wise decision. It really is just pristine land."
"This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase the land for way below market value...about $45,000 an acre," he said.
DeSorgher thanked the Kenny family for offering the land at an exceptional price, and he thanked potential buyer Sean McEntee for presenting a conservation-friendly development plan.
McEntee could not be reached for comment after the vote.
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