At one time or another, the large property just north of the Marion town line has housed an airport, dairy farm and hay fields. Now on the market for $1.2 million, conservationists want the land to remain open space for future generations instead of becoming a subdivision.

Buzzards Bay Coalition Vice President Brendan Annett said his organization has explored collaborating with other conservation agencies, such as the Trustees of Reservations, to purchase the land.

One year ago last March, the Coalition was turned away after making an undisclosed offer on the 60-acre property.

“We’re still interested,” said Annett, who is in charge of watershed protection efforts. “The person who controls the property said 'no' to our offer, but it was a cordial conversation. The price they wanted was higher than what we believed we could pay.”

The high-profile property, located on Route 105, has been on the market since 2014. Originally listed at $1.5 million, the price dropped in 2015 to $1.2 million.

Annett leads the Coalition’s land protection, habitat restoration and stewardship programs. He said his group’s strategy to water conservation hinges on saving properties such as the Rochester one from commercial or residential development.

“This land is important to the Buzzards Bay Coalition because Doggett’s Brook, a tributary of the Sippican River, abuts the property,” he said. “Wetlands on the property and the stream itself both drain into the bay.”

Because of the land’s location and abundance of open space it has generated a lot of interest among residents and others who want to see it preserved, according to Annett.

Local officials share that sentiment, said Rochester Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon, and strides have been made in researching preservation avenues.

“It’s always been on our radar screen,” Farinon said. “No formal action has been taken yet, but there have been discussions between town officials about conservation efforts.”

Town records list the current owner as the Frank C. Cogliano Trust, which purchased the land in 1981 for $135,000. The trust’s address is listed in Queens, New York. Attempts to contact the owners for comment were unsuccessful.

The land is currently under a state Chapter 61A agricultural tax restriction. The designation gives the landowner a tax break because it’s used for agricultural purposes, mainly haying in this particular case.

The tax break means the land is only assessed at $6,800 while the appraised value is $538,700, according to town records. The appraisal represents the fair market value of the land based on several factors including location. The assessed value is determined by the town for tax purposes.

Under 61A, a roll-back tax will be charged to the owner if the land changes use while classified or within five years after being taken off the agricultural restriction. Designed to keep preserved properties under the 61A classification, the roll-back tax amount is the difference between what the landowner paid taxes under Chapter 61 and would have been paid if the land was taxed at fair market value, plus interest.

The property’s previous owners have long made use of its wide open space.

From 1939 to 1942, Henry Olden rented the land. He opened Cape Cod Airlines after his Fairhaven seaplane business was destroyed by a hurricane in 1938.

The airfield was short lived, however, shutting down in 1942 soon after the U.S. entered World War II. At that time, the U.S. government closed all air fields within 80 miles of the coast.

In 1944, Raymond White purchased the property, and then in 1964 Whites Farm Dairy, Inc. became the deed holder until the trust bought it.

If the Buzzards Bay Coalition, or another conservation group, and the seller can agree on a price, Annett said the land will remain untouched, providing wildlife habitat and a natural place for outdoor recreation.

“It’s a beautiful piece of land,” he said.