JAY – Selectmen have decided not to accept a gift of 40 acres, and they won’t put it on the warrant for the annual town meeting April 25.
Town Manager Ruth Marden said the land is wetland, much wetter than initially thought.
“It’s a liability,” she said, “and we wouldn’t be able to do anything with it.”
Larry Plaisted of Hampden had offered the land off Old Jay Road, north of Jay Hill, which his parents, Beryle and Norman Plaisted, left to him.
Selectmen voted last year to send the offer to voters. At the time, it was thought that the best use for the land would be as a natural habitat for wildlife and plants or as a wilderness park, since it’s in a private, secluded area. It is accessible only from an old railroad bed and a snowmobile trail.
Plaisted thought it would be an ideal location for students to see and learn about Maine natural history and science.
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