By Jane Ross, September 2016
Standing: Mike Proctor town atty, First Selectman Julia Pemberton, Mary Biehn Enos, Gordon Loery & Laurie Heiss of Redding Land Trust, Dave Pattee of Redding Conservation Commission, Attorney Elizabeth Edwards.
Sitting: John Curran atty for seller, Jane Ross of Redding Land Trust, Amy Paterson Exec Director of Ct Land Conservation Council
A choice 30-acre property at the heart of Redding has been preserved as an oasis of unspoiled nature through a purchase made possible by a State grant to the Town and to the Redding Land Trust – and with matching funds from the Trust as well as support from the Aquarion Water Company. The process of winning a grant supported by the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program from the Department of Energyand Environmental Protection, initiated in 2014, reached a successful conclusion at the closing celebrated on Friday, September 9 at Redding Town Hall.
Under the State grant, the Town and the Trust each received $85,000, the Land Trust matched the grant with $170,000 and Aquarion contributed $60,000 in order to meet the seller’s $400,000 purchase price. The State and Aquarion will hold an easement over the property. “Aquarion Water Company is pleased to support this land purchase by the Town of Redding and the Redding Land Trust,” said Charles V. Firlotte, President and CEO of Aquarion Water Company. “This acquisition illustrates the importance of drinking water protection, while providing a quality outdoor experience for the community."
The important property, lying in the center of lower Redding, east of the Saugatuck River, will allow eastern and western Town trails to connect. Historically the site of Old Stagecoach Road, the parcel was on the Town's "list" of valued open space.
Standing: State Senator Toni Boucher, Laurie Heiss, Amy Paterson of CLCC, Gordon Loery.
Sitting: Jane Ross, Atty Elizabeth Edwards
On the occasion of its 50th Anniversary, the Redding Land Trust decided to make this $255,000 gift to the community and its residents in tribute to Redding’s longtime commitment to land conservation.. “I am so pleased and proud that the Redding Land Trust is able to contribute funds to help secure a prime property near the center of Town, fulfilling our more than fifty-year old mission to preserve the open space and natural landscapes of Redding,” said Mary Anne Guitar, Trust Chairman and original founding member.
