POLAND — The town’s Conservation Commission is looking to sell municipally owned property to fund a conservation reserve fund.

Fred Huntress, co-chairman of the Poland Conservation Commission, asked selectmen Tuesday night to amend three articles, which would allow the town to sell property known as the Sadie Jackson lot.

Huntress said Poland has owned the lot since 1962, having acquired it through a tax lien.

The lot is too small to serve as conservation area, Huntress said.

He added that with its timber and view of Mount Washington, the lot is valued at $12,341.

Sale of the land would require a special warrant article, according to Huntress. Three other articles, approved years ago, might also need amending.

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Nick Pratt, Poland’s executive assistant, said the three articles now require funds from the sale of town-owned property gained through tax delinquency go to Poland’s economic development fund.

By a 3-2 vote, selectmen decided Tuesday night to have Town Manager Matthew Garside produce a draft warrant article allowing proceeds from the lot’s sale to go to the Conservation Commission’s operational fund.

Selectpersons Suzette Moulton, Mary-Beth Taylor and James Walker voted in favor of creating the draft warrant article, while Chairman Walter Gallagher and Selectman Joe Cimino were opposed.

Gallagher said his opposition was based on his belief the next Board of Selectmen should look into all warrant articles that designate where and how funds must be allocated.

Cimino said while he supports creation of a conservation reserve fund, the timing is not good, especially given the number of articles residents are already facing.

The town has “so many warrant articles dealing with zoning and dealing with marijuana issues,” Cimino said.

Huntress offered another option.

“We can bring it to the town (meeting),” he said. “We got 110, 120 people there and their opinions are lot different. Townspeople love conservation. They like what we’re doing. They appreciate what we’re doing.”

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