Approximately 138 residents attended the meeting and discussion on the conservation restriction took place for about an hour and a half.

Major concerns from residents included the cost and how much control and access the residents would have to the property.

The 28.51-acre property is located on Cowles Road. The owner of the property is listed as Earle Sanford, trustee under the will of John G. Fleming, who used to live at 17 Cowles Rd. with wife, Marlice Fleming, according to the notice of the special town meeting.

The $75,000 will come from the town's Open Space Fund Number Two. The property actually costs $450,000, said Arthur Milnor, executive director at Flanders Nature Center.

He said the private fund-raising process, which is still ongoing, has raised $300,000 toward the purchase of the property.

He said he hopes to raise another $75,000. Combined with the $75,000 from the town, that equals $450,000.

Mr. Milnor said he is hoping to raise funds that are a bit more than the $450,000, so some money can go toward stewardship of the property after it is purchased.

Betty Adams recommended amending the motion to take the $75,000 from the undesignated surplus fund, instead of the open space fund. That motion was denied.

Board of Finance Chairman Bill Drakeley said it was the board's preference to take the $75,000 out of the open space fund, rather than challenge other funds.

Sharon Feeley, member of the Open Space, Strategy and Implementation Committee, received applause after she stated her opinion on Ms. Adam's motion.

"It makes no sense, in these difficult financial times, that we would do anything that might raise the mil rate, and taking from the undesignated fund might do that," said Ms. Feeley.

Some residents, including Art McNally, said they were not opposed to conservation, but wondered if the town should spend the $75,000 in these economic times.

First Selectman Paul Hinckley said the money in the fund has to be spent on open space acquisition only.

"It was put there to purchase this," he said.

Regarding control and access to the property, Town Counsel Paul Jessell said Flanders Nature Center will grant a permanent, perpetual conservation easement to the town.

"The fee simple owner assumes ownership of the property, not the owner of the easement," he said.

Jane Sandulli asked how public access to the property is determined.

Mr. Jessell said Flanders Nature Center assured the town that the public will have access to the property. Where residents have access and under what conditions will be determined by Flanders Nature Center, he said.

There will be 2,200 feet of access off Cowles Road, said surveyor Henry Hart, who drafted the map of the property.

Selectman George Hale said it is important for residents to look at the intent to acquire open space, regardless of ownership.

"Just like the Hollow, we have access to it, but do we have access at midnight? No," said Mr. Hale.

Mr. Milnor said the advantages to purchasing the Fleming Preserve are many. He said the property is a combination of woodlands, meadows, maples trees, stone walls, an overlook and a sap house.

"It's smack dab in the middle of property that's already preserved," said Mr. Milnor. "It will extend and enlarge a green belt area of more than 400 acres."

He said the surrounding property consists of a lot of farmland - cows, a horse ranch and a Christmas tree farm.

"Old time values," said Mr. Milnor, "but old time values where, in this day and age, with the energy crisis, are coming back."

Conservation Commission Chairman Dick Leavenworth said he sees the property as valuable because of its position and what is on the property.

"We have a property assessed at approximately $600,000," he said. "The town is only putting in $75,000 and Flanders is doing the rest of the work. What a bargain for us."