The Wilton Select Board isn’t prepared to fully back a proposal to purchase Horseshoe Falls.

On Monday, Conservation Commission Chair Jennifer Beck spoke with the Select Board to discuss the direction the town would like to take on the development of the towns water features, including the privately owned Garwin Falls and Horseshoe Falls, and the town-owned reservoir.

The town has been offered an option to purchase three lots which encompass and surround the Horseshoe Falls. The land has been offered for $300,000.

Beck said the Conservation Commission is interested in purchasing and preserving the Horseshoe area, and developing a parking area at the entrance.

Beck outlined a plan to launch a private fundraising campaign for private fundraising, apply for grant funding, supply $40,000 from the Conservation Commission’s land purchase fund, and approach the town for the remaining funds at Town Meeting in 2020.

Selectman Matt Fish said he would support a plan to conserve Garwin Falls or develop the reservoir over the Horseshoe.

“Horseshoe Falls is not Garwin Falls by any means,” Fish said. “If I was to prioritize them, I would chose Garwin Falls day after day after day.”

He would also put the development of the town’s reservoir – which is no longer used as a potential town water source – over purchase and conservation of the Horseshoe Falls.

“It has greater potential as a recreation area,” he said.

Beck said the Conservation Commission was interested in the Horseshoe because it is “critical to the Souhegan Valley Ecology.” While she agreed Garwin Falls is a more picturesque location, she said, “Garwin Falls is not for sale, and the Horseshoe is.”

Also, she said, the town has already turned down one warrant article that would have developed a recreation area at the reservoir. 

Select Board Chair Kellie-Sue Boissonnault pointed out objections around the reservoir plan centered around the roughness of the plan and not enough input from emergency services, not necessarily because they didn’t support a recreation area.

Ultimately, the board told Beck they would support moving forward with exploring conservation options, but would not commit to signing a purchase option for the Horseshoe property. 

 

Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.