Residents will vote in November on a $1 million bond to help preserve the 550-acre Clark Farm property

Windham residents will vote in November on a $1 million bond to preserve one of the largest tracts of undeveloped land in the county, after a hearing Tuesday showed how divided townspeople are on the proposal.

Though town councilors are also split on whether the bond is a good idea, they agreed the issue, which was the subject of a spirited debate Tuesday, should be decided at the polls.

“I think it’s up to the people to decide now,” said Councilor Donna Chapman.

Before the hearing, a number of residents stood to ask the council to include another $500,000 in the bond to go toward the construction of a park and playgrounds in Windham. The council briefly discussed the matter. Councilor Liz Wisecup said she needed more details, and Councilor John MacKinnon said the project was better suited for fundraising rather than a bond, and could be done for less than $100,000.

Under the land bond proposal, the $1 million, 20-year bond would go toward the $2.6 million purchase price for the development rights of Clark Farm, a 550-acre tract of farmland and forest that straddles Route 202 and features beautiful vistas and popular spots for hiking, fishing and snowmobiling, among other activities. The Windham Land Trust, along with the Maine Farmland Trust and The Trust for Public Lands, has raised $1.2 million toward the purchase, and an anonymous donor has pledged $200,000 if the town also makes a contribution.

Under the plan, 233 acres would remain farmland and would be sold with restrictions to one or two farmers. The Windham Land Trust would add 76 acres to its Black Brook Conservation Lands, and the remaining 242 acres, near the Swett Road, would stay open to recreation under an easement held by The Trust for Public Lands. The Clarks, who wish to preserve the land rather than sell it to a developer but also want the proceeds from the sale in order to retire, would retain a small portion of the land and stay at their house.

At Tuesday’s hearing, proponents of the bond said the Clark Farm represents a piece of Windham’s past, before developments and big box stores popped up elsewhere in town. They also said the window to save the land was rapidly closing, and the bond, along with the pledged money, represent perhaps the best and last opportunity to make sure it remains undeveloped and open to the public.

But others argued that it was the wrong time to ask residents to pay more taxes. Many of Windham’s roads are in disrepair, the schools have had to cut teachers, and the town’s police force could use more help, they said. If the town were going to spend money, it could be better spent elsewhere than on open space, which would be enjoyed by only a segment of the population.

“Wouldn’t $1 million be better spent on River Road?” said resident Jim Cummings, referring to the busy stretch of road that has fallen into disrepair.

Peter Busque, a resident and local developer, said by his count Windham has 758 acres of open to the public within town lines, including Dundee Park and the Lowell and Black Brook Preserves.

“I’m a little confused as to why we have to buy more land,” he told councilors.

Though supporters said the bond would likely add around $10 per year per household in property taxes, a few residents said that was too much in a time when people are worried about their jobs and the overall health of the economy.

“I think spending this amount of money for easements … at this time is ridiculous,” said resident Scott Paradis. He knows people in Windham who are barely scrapping by as it is, he said.

“They are broke,” said Paradis. “Property taxes are killing them. They have no money.”

Resident Linda McDonald agreed. “I don’t think they need to take it out of my pocketbook when I don’t have it,” she said.

But Dennis Hawkes of the Windham Land Trust said studies show that development of the Clark Farm property, by increasing the need for town services, would actually cost the town more money in the long run. Under the proposal, the Land Trust, the farmers and the Clarks would pay property taxes on the land, and require little in return, he said.

“Open space costs the taxpayers little or nothing,” Hawkes said.

The bond would also help preserve land at a time when it is rapidly disappearing, Hawkes continued. It is hard to put a price tag on the things provided by untouched land, he said.

“The Clark Farm is an important space,” Hawkes said. “It gives us all a sense of where we once were, but also where we are going.”

To the bond’s supporters, many of whom have watched North Windham grow from farmland to a commercial center, the Clark Farm property is one of the last vestiges of old Windham, and an opportunity to save something that is just not found that often these days.

“I don’t think there will ever be 500 acres that we can conserve,” said Valerie DeVuyst of the Windham Land Trust.

In asking councilors to add a bond for a park near the skate park on Route 202, as well as for playgrounds, resident Michael Shaughnessy said Windham is woefully lacking in those categories.

“For a town our size we have two small playgrounds that are public,” he said. “We have no park.”

Resident Laura Fleischer said a park would give residents a low-cost entertainment option in hard times.

“How nice would it be to go to a park rather than go to the theater or to Portland?” she said.

But another resident, Tom Gleason, said the extra money is just too much to ask.

“Nothing else at this time,” he said. “Not another penny. At this time, a park is not warranted.”

Dennis Hawkes of the Windham Land Trust testified in favor of a $1 million bond to help purchase development rights to the 550-acre Clark Farm property at a hearing Tuesday. The Windham Town Council voted following the hearing to place the bond on the November ballot. (Ben Bragdon photo)
Peter Busque of Windham said he is against the proposed $1 million bond to help preserve land in Windham. With places like the Lowell Preserve and Dundee Park, the town does not need any more land, especially when people are struggling to pay their taxes, Busque said. (Ben Bragdon photo)