Littleton Selectmen Debate Future of INOG Hill Orchard

In a recent meeting, the Littleton Board of Selectmen engaged in a discussion concerning the future of INOG Hill Orchard, a 50-acre town-owned property. The meeting covered an array of topics, but the debate over the orchard’s fate stood out due to its complexity and the varying opinions on how to best utilize the land.

The board considered several options for INOG Hill Orchard, including selling, leasing, or entering into a management agreement. While one member was outspoken about the need to preserve the property for agricultural use, citing the loss of productive land as a concern, another member highlighted the financial burden of maintaining the property and questioned the feasibility of finding a farmer willing to make the required capital investment.

A member of the public voiced frustration over the lack of available information to the community regarding the state of the orchard and the potential costs involved. This sentiment underscored the need for greater transparency and public education on the matter.

The condition of a house on the property was also a point of discussion. Uncertainty surrounded its future and whether it could be sold to generate resources for land maintenance. Furthermore, the board addressed the removal of dead trees, an action necessary for both aesthetic and commercial reasons. The cost of tree removal per acre was considered, along with the potential financial implications of tree clearing on the orchard’s future.

The idea of leasing 25 acres of the land for Christmas tree farming was discussed, with one attendee expressing a willingness to apply for such a lease. This sparked conversations about the growth time for Christmas trees, market demand, and the possibilities of integrating this type of agriculture into sections of the orchard.

The selectmen recognized the urgency of decision-making and the limited time frame available for action. They agreed to hold focused meetings to develop a solid plan by the end of July, considering all viable options and public feedback. The need for a management agreement for the land was also a recurring topic, with members acknowledging the potential benefits of entering such an agreement.

In addition to the orchard discussion, the meeting touched on other significant items. The board expressed its gratitude to the department for its dedication.

Matias Elroy, an Eagle Scout, presented a proposal for a mini food pantry installation. The board members praised the project, acknowledging Matias’s attention to detail and previous experience with similar initiatives.

The naming of the new Senior Center was also discussed; “the Center on Shattuck Street” was chosen as the preferred name. Additionally, the board approved a series of Host Community Agreements with various companies, including those in the medicinal sector, and discussed the reasons for varying expiration dates of these agreements.

The board granted Milward Brewing Company a one-day license to serve beer at an upcoming community event, emphasizing the town’s support for local businesses and community activities. Updates on community events, such as the carnival and an upcoming triathlon, were provided, along with information on an ADA-compliant walkway at Long Lake Beach and safety issues that were being addressed by the police chief, highway department, and other parties.

The Disability Commission shared details about a state-funded survey for the town, requesting $3,500 for a monitor to facilitate the process. A community member also called for better advertisement and support for cultural events, highlighting the low turnout at a recent Indian Pow Wow.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Town Administrator:
James Duggan
City Council Officials:
Gary Wilson, Charles DeCoste, Mark Rambacher, Matthew Nordhaus, Karen Morrison

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording