Parks board recommends buying 46‑acre 'Salamander Forest Preserve,' seeks $750,000 from land bond

The Parks and Conservation Land Board voted on June 22 to recommend that the town council approve purchase of the 46‑acre Salamander Forest Preserve at 255 Payne Road and asked the town to consider a $750,000 contribution from the land bond to support the acquisition.

The board's recommendation follows a presentation by Scott, the land trust representative, who said the parcel contains streams that feed Milbrook, extensive wetlands and three vernal pools, “one of which is classified as state significant,” and provides habitat for amphibians and several species of conservation concern. Scott described the total project budget as roughly $1.25 million and said the land trust is requesting $750,000 from the town’s land bond. He told the board the coalition will seek approximately $380,000 from a federal grant program; if that grant is awarded and reimbursed, Scott said the town’s net share would fall to roughly 30 percent.

Why it matters: Board members emphasized the property's combined ecological and neighborhood value. The parcel sits amid a developed corridor with apartment buildings and single‑family neighborhoods; the board noted that conserving the site would protect groundwater recharge and stream health, preserve a state‑significant vernal pool for spotted salamanders and create nearby passive‑recreation access for residents.

What the board heard and decided: Scott mapped the parcel for members and reviewed field observations and photos that document vernal‑pool eggs and standing water in wetlands. He explained the typical grant process used by the coalition of land trusts: one lead applicant files the federal application and subapplicants receive funds through that lead; due diligence costs (federal appraisals and other items) will be deducted from final awards. The board discussed hunting compatibility, parking and trail access and agreed those stewardship and safety decisions would be made after acquisition.

Motion and vote: A member moved that the board recommend the Salamander Forest Preserve project to the town council; the board voted in favor of the recommendation. Scott said he will prepare the materials for the council presentation.

Next steps: The recommendation will be transmitted to town council for its consideration. The land trust and board will continue coordination on stewardship planning (access, parking and hunting rules) and will track the federal grant timeline and due‑diligence costs.

Quotes from the meeting: Scott summarized ecological values and funding needs: “It's 46 acres…including forest, wetlands, some streams and three vernal pools,” and he said the budget is “approximately 1.25 million” with the land trust requesting “$750,000 towards that 1.25 million.”

Additional context: Board members noted the parcel’s proximity to existing conserved lands across Payne Road and discussed potential sidewalk or trail connections to nearby Warren Woods; they also flagged that owner contribution (a bargain sale) helped the project score in the board’s acquisition assessment.