by Geoff Fox
County officials approved the purchase of land easements west of town for conservation and the annexation of properties on the east end of town during their Tuesday, September 1, meeting.
Washington County was looking to purchase a conservation easement for 33.49 acres on Reel Road known as the Ronnie Zimmerman property. The easement agreement would create a non-development buffer zone along Little Tonoloway Creek that runs through the property.
The approval means the county will be paying $91,497 for the easement with money received through Program Open Space money.
Chris Boggs from the county’s Land Preservation, Planning and Zoning, said the money is 100% from state funds.
He described the process as the county presenting it to the state and the Department of Natural Resources giving approval.
“I’ve never gotten a thumbs down, but they tell us whether or not to move forward with the project,” he told county officials.
County officials also approved resolutions allowing the annexation of 305, 307, 317-319 East Main Street into the Town of Hancock.
Officials noted the parcels were town owned property with a private owner “sandwiched in between.”