Mattapoisett’s Community Conservation Committee tabled a request to recommend a Special Town Meeting article for the purchase of a land parcel on the corner of Chapel Road and Route 6.

The proposal for the 3.1-acre property came from 135 Mattapoisett residents, mostly from Chapel Road and Aucoot Road, who signed a petition to preserve the land after a “for sale” sign went up several months ago.

The wooded parcel is one third of a strip of land, previously thought unbuildable by many residents.

Brad Hathaway of Aucoot Road, who first began collecting signatures for the petition, said, “The more I walk that road, the more I realize how important that strip of land is to maintain the rural character of Mattapoisett.”

Hathaway and others from the Aucoot area would like to preserve a barrier between Route 6 and the homes on Chapel Road.

“It’s already used basically as a park,” said Beth Underwood, whose house abuts the property. Underwood said there is little upkeep needed for the land aside from mowing the grassy corner, which is done by another abutter on Chapel Road.

Hathaway, Underwood and other residents are concerned that history connected to the land will be lost if a house is built on the lot, and that the wildlife and wetlands there will be affected.

“Some things have troubled me – that the wetlands have not been delineated,” said Hathaway.

Seeing standing water on the land year round as well as box turtles and peepers, he questioned if a vernal pool might be on the property.

Members of the Conservation Committee asked if the residents could contribute any money towards the purchase. However, Hathaway and Underwood said they had not yet asked residents if they would contribute.

Committee member Ray Herrington made a motion to table a vote until more information on the land could be obtained.

“This raises a lot of issues. We need to verify what’s been told about the animals,” he said. “I want to take some time to study it, to get some expert opinions.”

Chair John DeCosta said they would start by consulting the Conservation Commission.

The vote was tabled until September 10.