Land Acquisition Commission

Land Acquisition Commission
c/o Office of the First Selectman
725 Old Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-256-3030
 
Function
The Land Acquisition Commission is charged with investigating land that could be purchased by the Town for active and passive recreation.

Meetings
The Land Acquisition Commission generally meets the first Wednesday of every quarter month at 6:00 pm both in-person at the Birdcraft Museum at 314 Unquowa Road and via Conference Call Bridge. All schedules and locations are subject to change. Please check the Town Meetings Calendar for cancellations or location changes.

About the Land Acquisition Commission

Term Length:  Four Years (Two Term Limit)
# of Members:  Nine
Appointing Body:  Board of Selectmen
Party Balance Required?:  Yes
Defined In:  Town Code - Section 35-10

The Land Acquisition Commission was formed to develop a comprehensive plan to acquire 70 acres of open space for each 1,000 residents of the town as well as to review and advise the First Selectman regarding proposed expenditures of the Land Acquisition Fund.

Duties include:

  • Expeditiously and thoroughly advising the First Selectman regarding proposed expenditures of the Land Acquisition Fund.
  • Developing a comprehensive plan to acquire 70 acres of open space for both passive and active recreation for each 1,000 residents of the town.
  • Creating an inventory of undeveloped real property in town.
  • Reviewing requests for land acquisition by other town government bodies
Duties may include:

  • Advising the First Selectman and other town officials regarding the purchase, sale or donation of real property.
  • Soliciting the acquisition of parcels of real property by purchase or donation.
  • Retaining real estate professionals to appraise parcels under consideration.
Member Listing

# Name (Party) Title Term
1 Robert Wilkens (R) Chair 11/2021 - 11/2025
2 Walter (Trey) Anderson Bickers, III (R)   11/2021 - 11/2025
3 Theodore M. Dezvane (U)   11/2021 - 11/2025 (Appointed by BOS on 08/21/23 to serve remainder of term; was moved from Alt. to Full member)
4 Stephen Sivakoff (U)   11/2021 - 11/2025 (Appointed by BOS on 02/13/24 to serve remainder of term)
5 Tara R. Hawley (R)   11/2023 - 11/2027
6 Adam Y. Goodman (D)   11/2023 - 11/2027
7 Kasandra F. Marshall (D) Secretary  11/2023 - 11/2027
ALT1 Mark J. Eagan (D)   11/2022 - 11/2026 (Appointed by BOS on 02/13/24 to serve remainder of term)
ALT2 Joseph M. DeMartino (R)   11/2020 - 11/2024 (Appointed by BOS on 05/15/23 to serve remainder of term)
 
Land Acquisition Fund

In October 1997 the Representative Town Meeting voted to established a Land Acquisition Fund to be used for the sole purpose of acquiring town-owned property and property rights.

The Land Acquisition Fund may:

  • Accept donations from public and private individuals and entities.
  • Accept contributions required by Town Plan and Zoning Commission, the Conservation Commission, and the Inland Wetlands Agency as a condition for approval of applications before these commissions or agency.
  • Receive funds through an appropriation in the annual budget.
  • May be appropriated up to 10 percent of the unspent balance in the town budget for each fiscal year.
  • Consult Chapter 35 of the Town Code for more information.