"The parcel is being purchased no matter what," Paul Dawson, town manager, tells GlobeSt.com. Dawson notes that the Libby family approached the town first about buying the property. The town owns the conservation land that abuts the property. While Dawson says that a portion of the land could be developed--and in fact a developer was reportedly interested in the site should the town not approve the purchase--he stresses that the town plans on preserving the site as open space.

While Town Meeting approved the purchase, a special election is being held today to determine how to fund the $1.7-million purchase price. If the Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion is approved, then the town could go over its budget to buy the site. Otherwise, the funds will have to be financed within the town budget.