Selectmen united against land buy

AMHERST – Selectmen voted unanimously not to support the purchase of about 104 acres of property straddling the town line with Bedford.

Whether the town purchases the property will be decided by voters in March.

The property consists of 104 acres, a residence, an attached shed and barn, an unattached barn, a swimming pool and a tennis court. The home dates back to the late 1700s.

On Monday night, selectmen voted 5-0 to not recommend the purchase. Board members said they disapprove of the land purchase because it would require the town to buy the home, which is in poor condition and not likely to be resellable. Selectmen visited the home recently

The town’s Open Space Advisory Committee is recommending the town buy the land from resident Gertrude W. Martin for $1.89 million, which was the property’s market value as of Sept. 1.

Sixty-seven acres are in Amherst and the other 37 are in Bedford.