Town to decide on cave purchase

[Wayne Harrison]

By Matt Lynch/ Milford (Mass.) Daily News Staff
Sunday, August 13, 2006

UPTON -- The town has a golden opportunity to preserve one of the most unique geological formations in all of New England, according to supporters of an effort to purchase the Upton Cave and the nearby land.

Residents will vote at Town Meeting tomorrow night to spend $400,000 to buy 7.94 acres at 18 Elm St., which includes the cave. Town Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Nipmuc Regional High School.

"It's the last piece of land in the center of town, and I feel strongly it could be turned into a passive recreation park with hiking, trails and access to Mill Pond," said Historical Commission Chairman Barbara Burke. "Whether it's 300 years old or 3,000, it's the best-preserved structure of that type in New England."

The $400,000 would come from the Community Preservation Act fund and would not affect taxes, Burke said.

Although the Board of Selectmen hasn't voted on the purchase, Chairman Joan Shanahan said the cave is a unique part of the town's character.

"The cave should be preserved for future generations," she said. "If it passes, the town will have to look closely at getting grants and other kinds of additional funding."

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