The Hudson Board of Selectmen voted unanimously at their most recent meeting to move forward with a Letter of Intent for a significant conservation grant, opening the door for the potential acquisition of more than 75 acres of land tied to the former Circumferential Highway corridor.
The proposal was brought forward by Director of Development Services Elvis Dhima, who informed the Board that the Conservation Commission had identified a competitive funding opportunity through the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). The grant would support the purchase of 121R Wason Road (Map 212 / Lot 22), a 75.36acre parcel with an assessed value of $261,100 and an equalized assessed value of approximately $321,000.
Dhima emphasized that while the grant is not guaranteed, the opportunity is substantial enough to warrant pursuing the application. “I’d like to ask the Board of Selectmen if you’re willing to grant permission to staff to move forward with the letter of intent,” Dhima said. “We’ll find out this year if we get it or not. This could be very complicated. This could have a lot of work into it. But as of now, it does not cost us anything to move forward and at least see if this might be a good fit for us.”
If approved, the LCHIP program requires a 50% Town match, totaling $160,500. Dhima explained that the match would be funded entirely through the Conservation Commission’s Cash Flow Account, which is specifically intended for land acquisition efforts and similar conservation initiatives.
“These funds have historically been used for similar land acquisition efforts,” Dhima noted, adding that the account currently holds approximately $733,500 as of April 2026, more than enough to support the match without impacting the general fund or requiring additional taxpayer funding.
Dhima also highlighted an unusual advantage: although the official application deadline of April 29, 2026, has passed, Hudson was granted an extension and may still submit a Letter of Intent. “Although the original application deadline has passed, the Town has been granted an extension and may still submit a Letter of Intent, subject to support from the Board of Selectmen,” he wrote in his memo.
The land in question is part of the long discussed, long dormant Circumferential Highway corridor, a project that was never completed but left behind several large tracts of undeveloped land. Conservation advocates have long viewed these parcels as valuable opportunities for open space preservation, wildlife habitat protection, and potential future trail connections.
After reviewing the details, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to authorize Dhima to submit the Letter of Intent to LCHIP for the potential acquisition of the property, in an amount not to exceed $321,000, with the required match funded through the Conservation Commission Cash Flow Account.
The next Hudson Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for May 26 at 7 p.m.
