VOLUNTOWN — Although Voluntown residents have felt confident in their ability to deter construction of a state police gun range within their borders, the recent purchase of a sizable chunk of land has raised concerns. However, state officials said the property will be added to the adjoining Pachaug State Forest.
According to town records, the state purchased 196.7 acres located at 800 Ekonk Hill Road, or Route 49, for $745,000. Although the grantee is listed simply as the State of Connecticut, the record's description specifies the land was granted to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Chris Collibee, a spokesperson for DEEP, said the land will be added to the adjoining Pachaug State Forest.
"People had seen the purchase listed in the paper that morning and I immedialty got a couple of calls," Voluntown resident Bob Panko, who was a founding member of Keep Voluntown Quiet, said. "I think people were alarmed that their nightmare was coming true. But I feel quite assured it's not any sneaky deal by the state to slide in a gun range."
Panko, who said he lives less than a half-mile from the site, quickly called a supervisor at DEEP, who clarified the land would be preserved.
The land was previously privately owned by Cedarwood Estates, which was attempting to unload the property in 25 residential subdivisions. According to an online listing of the Route 48 property, there is more than 4,800 feet of road frontage to the parcel, which is predominantly flat, lightly wooded, has old stone walls and an abundance of wildlife.
There are some wetland areas on the eastern most portion of the property, where it also borders the Pachaug State Forest. Collibee said there is also a portion of the Douglas Swamp on the land.
The property was purchased through a Pittman-Robertson Grant awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
"The property will provide residents oppurtunities in recreation and hunting," Collibee said.