Buzzards Bay Coalition puts $7.6 million purchase of Little Neck Land on hold

MARION — The Buzzards Bay Coalition is putting their potential $7.6 million purchase of Little Neck land that extends across the coast of Sippican Harbor along Hermitage Road in Marion on hold after failing to reach an agreement with landowners in the area.

The coalition has now missed this year’s deadline for grant applications, putting the conservation project on pause until further notice.

“They were unable to get an agreement with the family, and so that project is put on hold,” Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman said at a Marion Select Board meeting on Tuesday, April 15.

It is unclear at this time what the next course of action is for the coalition, according to Gorman.

The purchase was intended to "permanently preserve the scenic, wildlife, water quality and climate resilience benefits of Little Neck,” according to the coalition.

The area is projected to become a salt marsh in coming decades due to rising sea levels, causing the coalition to attempt to take action to preserve its resources.

Little Neck’s preservation would help protect Sippican Harbor and Marion Village from the impact of storms and flood waters, according to the coalition.

Select Board Chair Norman Hills opposed the proposed purchase at a meeting on Monday, March 24, calling it a potential “self-inflicted wound” due to the tax burden it would pose on Marion residents.

Hills was the only dissenting vote of the three Select Board members regarding the coalition’s proposed plans.