By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SPENCER ó The Spencer Board of Aldermen on Tuesday will consider any cost or liability the town might incur by purchasing a 43-acre hardwood forest and turning it into a passive park.
The board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Town Hall.
The town has partnered with the LandTrust for Central North Carolina to preserve the forest, known as Spencer Woods, just a few blocks from downtown.
The state awarded Spencer a $200,000 grant last month, which would cover the cost of buying the land from the LandTrust.
The LandTrust is purchasing the forest from Craft Development, a Charlotte-based real estate development company that planned to clear-cut the land, for $645,000 but has agreed to sell it to the town for $200,000.
The LandTrust also plans to establish an endowment for the park and a committee to run it, similar to the public-private partnership that has overseen Salisburyís Hurley Park since 1984.
Spencer aldermen asked LandTrust Executive Director Jason Walser to provide more information about liability and maintenance.
Also on Tuesdayís agenda:
A public hearing on adult establishments.
Public comment.
Resolution opposing the consolidation of judicial and prosecutorial districts.
Closed session to consider the town managerís evaluation.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.