Town Planner John Scavo said the owners of the land had previously received approval for a 14-home subdivision on the land, but withdrew the development plan in favor of selling development rights to the town.  "They will still own the 59 acres, but if they sell, there will be a deed restriction that the land cannot be used for anything but agriculture," he said.  The restriction would allow construction of a farm house and other agricultural-related buildings on up to five acres of the land, he said.

Town Supervisor Phil Barrett said talks putting together the easement deal had been in the works for several months.  "This is significant open space protection in an area that faces development pressure,” Barrett said.  Sandra Baillargeon is the daughter of the late Benjamin and Helen Heckman, who operated the farm at 92 Hubbs Rd.  She is the family’s fourth generation to own the property and it was her decision to sell the permanent conservation easement to the town.

The town will tap a $100,000 grant from the Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Protection program to pay a portion of the easement. The remaining $225,000 will be paid from the town’s open space fund, which was established by the Town Board in 2003.  The property, identified as a parcel worthy of protection in the 2005 Western Clifton Park Land Conservation Plan and GEIS, includes woods, wetlands, a pond and wildlife habitat.  The farm includes an existing red barn in good condition that preserves the rural character of the area.

Scavo said the land's proximity to the approved Rolling Meadows subdivision means a significant amount of land is now protected in the rural neighborhood.  "When the Rolling Meadows subdivision was approved, the developer was required to permanently protect at least half of the land as open space," he said.  The project was originally 80.5 acres and developer Garry Heflin gave the town 44 of the acres to be kept forever wild.
"The Rolling Meadows open space is adjacent to Veteran's Park and will be an extension of the park's woods and wetlands," Scavo said. "We are protecting the biosphere of the area which could someday have hiking trails allowing an opportunity for exploration by the public."

The Rolling Meadows gift of land to the town takes it off the tax rolls.  Taxes will still be collected on the Cloverdale Farm property even though the development rights have been sold.