Town Manager Kevin Smith reported staff has been unable to locate any documentation that conservation land behind the Town Common was ever designated a Town Forest.
“There was a warrant article from 1985 placing management of the Town Forest under the Conservation Commission,” he said, noting if the parcel had been designated a Town Forest, it would have brought the property under a number of management restrictions required by State statutes.
Although the parcel is not a designated Town Forest, Smith said placing management of the property under the Town Manager will still require a warrant article.
The Council directed Smith to draft the warrant article and run it by the Town Attorney to ensure it would pose no further complications down the road.
Andrew C. Mack Sr. and his father deeded the 12-acre parcel to the Town in 1984, and Mack has called for opening up and managing the Town Forest as a natural classroom.
Local volunteers have started cleaning up the Town Forest, but their activities are limited by what the Londonderry Conservation Commission approves.
Moving forward, Smith said he will work with the volunteers and the Commission to determine what types of cleanup activities can get under way leading up to the March vote.
In addition to manicuring trails in the Town Forest, volunteers have installed several benches for resting, as well as informational kiosks. Residents have also called for an ice skating rink on the Common.
If the voters approve placing management of the Common under the Town Manager’s control, Councilor Tom Dolan has recommended the Town find a source of money and volunteers to support those efforts.
In other business Monday night:
- The Council approved the purchase four KNOX medical vault lockers to safeguard narcotic drugs on the Town’s ambulances at a total cost of $7,072.
The expense is to be paid from the Fire Department Equipment Reserve Fund.
• The Council approved the expenditure of $3,446 from the Expendable Maintenance Trust Fund for new chairs and tables for the conference and command rooms at the Police Station for $3,052, and the installation of a Carbon Monoxide detector at South Fire Station for $394.