GRA: 1977 Land Transfer Stipulates no Sale, Transfer or Development


Dedicated to Securing A Truly Perfect Location for Goffstown's Future Kindergarten & Elementary Schools

'77 Land Acquisition Stipulated No Sale, Transfer or Development Allowed
Documents obtained by GRA show funding to be returned to HUD, land to revert to the state

Also see: Wheeler Knew of Stipulations

GOFFSTOWN, NH - In a 1976 letter to the Governor and Council, Water Resources Board Chairman George McGee outlined stipulations related to the transfer of what eventually became Map 5, Lot 14 to the Town of Goffstown in 1977. As seen below, the property was (and still is) to be used "for conservation and not development uses.", and cannot be sold, transferred or developed in any way beyond "recreational purposes or other public use."

The GRA has long contended that the original deed drafted to reflect these conditions and stipulations is flawed in that the term "public use" has now been interpreted to mean "public use by Goffstown residents only." We believe this is a clear violation of the original intent of the voters who approved the purchase of the land, as seen in Town Article 10 of the 1977 town vote.

The letter goes on to point out that as a guarantee that the stipulations would be enforced, the land would revert back to the state, and Federal HUD funds used in the purchase would be refunded if those stipulations were not met.

The GRA is currently investigating the involvement of selectman Robert Wheeler in the recent transfer of 26 acres of the land by the Board of Selectmen to the school district. Wheeler, who voted 'Yes' on the transfer, was also a selectmen in 1977 when HUD funds were used to purchase the land, and and such is well aware of the stipulations of the original purchase, the intent of the state when it sold the land to the town, the intent and stipulations of HUD when it provided the funds for the purchase, the intent of the voters who approved the original purchase, and the inaccuracy of the wording of the subsequently drafted deed.