Milton land purchase worthy of consideration

It’s not often a large swath of property in a downtown area becomes available, but that’s the case in Milton, as about 2 acres of land formerly owned by the late Leah Betts recently hit the market.

Milton Town Council is considering purchasing those parcels, thinking the land could be used for a new town hall and police station, or other municipal uses. There are several reasons why this could be a good idea.

Milton is growing. With the addition of the Granary at Draper Farm (1,350 units), Scarlet Oaks (163) and several other subdivisions proposed nearby, town staff and the police force will most certainly grow, and more space for personnel will be needed. Space in town hall and the police station is already at a premium, and constructing facilities to accommodate future staff growth is smart planning. And, building these facilities in the downtown area makes sense. An opportunity such as this may never come around again.

Town officials have agreed to move forward with a 60-day due diligence period, during which more work will be done to determine if the property is appropriate for its intended use.

Betts’ home remains along Magnolia Street, across from Bodie’s gas station and next to the Milton Historical Society. It almost seems fated that the property of a dedicated public servant such as Leah Betts, longtime council member and vice mayor, be used to benefit the town. If a deal is struck and facilities are built, we hope Betts can be honored appropriately.

Now is the time for Milton officials and residents to come together to discuss this potential deal. Taxpayers have been saddled with rate hikes in recent years, so any additional tax increases to support such a purchase might be a tough sell. However, if the town can secure grant funds and possibly sell the existing town hall and police properties, the pill to swallow may not be so big, and the town will be better positioned for years to come.