Committee to consult planner about potential preservation of Waterhouse property on E. Main St.

A potential buyer’s plans for the Waterhouse Property on E. Main St. drew discussion at the Open Space Committee’s April 25 meeting when committee member Sandy Venner reported she had been contacted about prospective development that could include a substantial area retained as open space.

Venner said the interested buyer indicated willingness to set aside a substantial portion of the parcel for open space. The committee decided the appropriate next step is to contact Denise McClure, the town planning consultant, to inquire about development options, potential conservation measures and any planning or permitting constraints.

The minutes do not specify the size of the portion the buyer would preserve, any conservation mechanism (e.g., easement, deed restriction), a timeline for discussions, or the identity of the prospective buyer beyond the initial contact. No formal motion or vote on a preservation agreement was recorded in the minutes.

Committee members characterized the discussion as an exploratory step to determine options; the matter may return to a future meeting after consultation with the planning consultant.