The Town of Derry has formally accepted the gift of 67 acres of conservation land known as Collette’s Mountain.
In its Feb. 4 meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously to accept the land.
The land was a gift from the heirs of Joseph C. Collette, Acting Town Administrator Larry Budreau told the Council and audience. The property consists of two parcels, at 1 and 10 Collette’s Grove Road, he said.
“It was a lengthy process,” Budreau said, “because the land was jointly owned by 12 heirs of Joseph Collette.” Two heirs, Joseph Scionti and Douglas Dixon, took responsibility for tracking down the other 10 and negotiating the gift. The process involved 14 quit-claim deeds, Budreau said.
The Derry Conservation Commission voted at its Sept. 10, 2012 meeting to accept the gift of the land, according to Budreau. The final step was for the Town Council to approve it.
Budreau said the land may be used for walking, nature trails, camping, hunting and “conservation and recreational purposes.” Dirt bikes and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) are prohibited, he said. Restrictions also include no cutting of vegetation and no motor vehicle parking on the Drew Road side, he said.
And no building or development will ever be allowed on the land.
Accepting the land will have minimal tax impact, Budreau said, as it was in current use and its taxes were $82.22 per year.
“It is a beautiful property, unique, different,” Councilor Neil Wetherbee said. He said he had walked the property with the Commission.
Councilor Phyllis Katsakiores said she was surprised to hear hunting allowed.
Conservation Commission Chairman Margaret Ives took the microphone to explain that was the request of the heirs.
Ives praised the property because it will add continuity with other parcels. It abuts 27 acres of conservation land in Hampstead, and is across the street from the Weber Forest and near the Recreational Trail, she said.
The Council voted 7-0 to accept the property.
