Conservation board votes to challenge Worthen Drive deal
Conservation Commission · Meeting of September 24, 2026
Groton conservation board authorizes $5,000 to challenge a disputed $550,000 land offer. The Conservation Commission voted 4-0 Thursday to fund a legal challenge to a right-of-first-refusal offer on two Worthen Drive parcels, contingent on the town's outside counsel finding the underlying purchase agreement defective under Chapter 61A, with a 30-day appeal window closing the next day. Conservation Administrator Charlotte Steeves said the two buildable lots carry a combined assessed value of $713,100 against the $550,000 settlement price.
Member Peter A. Morrison said he found it "odd that the assessed value is that high" given wetland constraints, while member Bruce Easom estimated a Community Preservation Committee request would likely yield closer to $200,000 of the $400,000 sought. A trust representative, identified only as Susan, told the board, "We have an interest in preserving them.
We don't have the capacity to buy them."
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 1,744 words
Source: the Conservation Commission meeting of September 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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