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POLAND — Selectmen on Tuesday took an initial step toward acquiring the 32-acre Furman property, a move considered critical to the overall development of the town’s hiking-trail system.

By unanimous vote, the board authorized Town Manager Bradley Plante to work with the town’s lawyer in drawing up a purchase and sales agreement with owner Jennifer Furman of Buxton.

The property is between the municipal complex parcel and the much larger town parcel surrounding the transfer station on Tripp Lake Road.

Fred Huntress, Conservation Commission co-chairman, said Furman had given permission to cross her property, but recently decided she would be willing to sell it to the town at half its appraised value, provided the town use it for recreational purposes.

Huntress told selectmen he and other commission members would raise the money for the purchase on their own. He said Furman is willing to sell the property for $32,800.

“The owner isn’t looking for any good-faith money up front, but wants to transfer the property by the end of December,” Huntress said.

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Huntress said he envisioned the trail system eventually crossing Tripp Lake Road and continuing to the high school, enabling a person to hike from Ricker Library to the high school.

“In the long run, the town can’t go wrong by acquiring this property,” Huntress said.

Selectman Walter Gallagher noted that the board would have to call a special town meeting to vote on acquiring the property, even though the money would be coming from private sources.

With that in mind, the board advised Huntress that fundraising efforts should aim at having the purchase money committed by the end of October.

In other business:

* Selectmen approved the Range Ponds Environmental Association’s plans for a floating parade July 4, starting at Cyndi’s Dockside on Middle Range Pond at 2 p.m., looping through Middle Range and Upper Range ponds and returning to Cyndi’s between 3:30 and 4 p.m.

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* On the matter of July 4 celebrations, Plante said that in response to concerns over the use of fireworks in town, copies of state guidelines governing their use are available at the Town Office and the Fire Department.

In June, the board decided against trying to develop a local fireworks ordinance, opting to rely on people abiding by rules set by the state. Board members said they hoped townspeople would be respectful of their neighbors.

Selectman Stan Tetenman noted that for the past few days people have been setting off fireworks on Thompson Lake, with some fairly spectacular displays, and he was concerned about the amount of debris falling into the lake.

Resident Joel Dulberg suggested that out of consideration for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, individuals might give their neighbors fair warning when they intend to set off fireworks.

* The board agreed to hold a public hearing at its July 15 meeting on changes to the maximum amount allowed for General Assistance.

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