The town will contribute $75,000 towards the acquisition of the 28.5-acre property from the open space fund. Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust, Inc., will hold the conservation easement.

Sharon Feeley, a member of the Open Space, Strategy and Implementation Committee, spoke at a Thursday, August 27, public hearing that took place before the regular Board of Selectmen meeting.

She said that acquiring the Fleming Preserve property would mean a potential to link to areas that are already conserved.

"That would provide a contiguous habitat and longer walking trails, which is something that we strive for," she said.

During correspondence at the regular Board of Selectmen meeting, Selectman Charles Bartlett said he will talk to Woodbury resident Theresa Sherwood about how to help her daughter, Lt. Victoria Sherwood.

Lt. Sherwood is part of an all-female Marines unit stationed in Afghanistan, said Mr. Bartlett. He said Lt. Sherwood is expected to be home on leave in October. He said he wants to talk about care packages for the unit.

Under appointments and resignations, the board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Land Use Director Judi Lynch. The board members thanked Ms. Lynch for her years of dedicated service.

First Selectman Paul Hinckley said that Ms. Lynch will provide transitory services, along with former town planner Chris Wood, until the selectmen decide how to proceed. Mr. Hinckley said that he wants to proceed quickly on this matter.

Selectmen approved conceptual signs welcoming people to Woodbury and the Connecticut Antiques Trail, as well as the location of the signs. The Economic Development Committee has been working on the signage.

EDC members hope to put one sign on Route 61 by Big Daddy's and another sign on Route 6 by Curtis Road.

The next step is to file the application with the state Department of Transportation.

The EDC envisions an antiques trail in the state, similar to the wine trail that exists.

The board accepted an energy plan worked on by members of the Woodbury Energy Committee. At the last board meeting, grant writer Linda Zukauskas presented the Woodbury Energy Plan to the board.

She gave an overview of the three main objectives of the Woodbury Energy Committee - conservation, efficiency and innovation.

The plan provides actions for identifying the best way the town can use the money Woodbury is eligible to receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

Ms. Zukauskas said a $53,000 grant is available to the town; the application is due by October 15.

The next Board of Selectmen meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 10, at the Shove Conference Room, 281 Main St. South.