At Tuesday’s Selectmen meeting, Town Administrator Mike Gagne announced that the Water and Sewer Department has received a sizable grant to help pay for a 114-acre parcel. The town is looking to acquire the land to protect the aquifer and groundwater as well as for passive recreational use.

The grant is $327,063 and is a significant portion of the $628,000 price.

Gagne praised Henry Rinauld, the current Water and Sewer Commissioner as well as his predecessor Nick Nicholson for their work to acquire the funds.

The overall purchase is a collaborative effort between several groups, including Fairhaven, Marion, the New England Estuary Program and the State of Massachusetts Aquifer and Ground Protections Program.

If approved by Town Meeting, an additional $65,000 appropriated from Community Preservation Funds will go towards the purchase.

"It’s an excellent project and it’ll protect some prime land," said Gagne.

Town Meeting is May 9, beginning at 6:30 at the high school auditorium.