FARMINGTON — The town has been offered a gift of 60-plus acres, the Cascades which includes Cascade Falls, members of the local Conservation Commission told the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday.

“The gift is unencumbered, meaning the town can do what it wants with it,” Conservation Commissioner Peter Tracy said.

The land borders the town’s Public Works Department and the Central Maine Power line, he said. There is a deeded access from Maple Avenue and High Street to the closest thing to a waterfall in this area, he said.

Owner Marc Fournier would like to know the town’s decision on whether to accept by Jan. 1 in order to claim the gift on his taxes, Conservation Commissioner Patty Cormier said.

The property’s assessed value is $67,000 with taxes of $1,200, she said. It would be a loss from the tax rolls but the town could gain revenue from the property or even sell it.

Selectmen were interested, but the proposal would have to go before voters either at the March town meeting or a special town meeting.

They were also interested in learning what townspeople would want to do with the property before voting.

Town Manager Richard Davis favored waiting, if Fournier agreed, until March when a better representation of the town would attend.

Tracy and Cormier planned to discuss it with Fournier.

Maine’s undeveloped land is being developed at a fast rate, Cormier said. Realtors claim people like to buy near green spaces. 

“We would be shortsighted not to accept this offer,” she said.

While the town would have to spend about $4,000 on surveying and appraisal, the property has potential to produce income, Tracy said.

As foresters, Tracy and Cormier estimated a heavy but legal harvest could produce 202,000 board feet of saw logs worth $23,445; 650 cords of pulpwood worth $7,405 and 650 tons of biomass chips worth $1,950. 

These are figured on 60-plus acres at current stumpage rates. A light, sustainable harvest would produce about half that amount, they said. 

Many people already use this property and have for years, Tracy said. The Cascade Falls provide a 20- to 30-foot drop in a wooded setting, and walking, ATV and snowmobile trails access the site.

Cascade Stream starts near the communication tower on Mosher Hill, travels through Skunk Hollow on the Industry Road, then near Cascade Brook School, across to the Maple and High streets area and on to the Sandy River.

[email protected]