State will buy 201 acres in Groton for open space despite town opposition

Groton — The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is buying 201 acres north of Interstate 95 to preserve for open space, a purchase the Groton Town Council opposed two years ago.

The Groton Open Space Association had sought Town Council support to buy a slightly smaller portion of the same property in 2014, and the council refused, saying Groton couldn’t afford to tie up more land that could be used for potential economic development.

The land, owned by Tilcon Inc., is south of Gold Star Highway, north of Interstate 95 and west of Rogers Road. It borders town-managed open space on Flanders Road and is adjacent to a large property north of the Mystic Marriott.

Mayor Bruce Flax said Monday he’s upset that the Groton Open Space Association sought a letter of support for the purchase, was told no, and asked the state to buy the property anyway. He’s also displeased that the state, having been told the town didn’t support the purchase, went forward and said nothing to town officials about it, he said.

Read more: http://www.theday.com/local/20161205/state-will-buy-201-acres-in-groton-for-open-space-despite-town-opposition