KINGFIELD — The Board of Selectmen decided Monday to get public feedback on conserving 1,065 acres along Reed Brook before deciding whether to support the proposal.

The Maine Trust for Public Land is looking at an option to buy 1,065 acres along Route 27 with grant money and donating it to the town, according to Lynnette Batt of the Trust for Public Land.

“We wouldn’t be asking the town for anything toward any part of the project,” she said. “We would be looking to convey the parcel to the town as a donation.”

She noted the land had been historically used for timber harvesting and its long-term use would be decided by the town.

“It could be timber management as well as recreational trails, so that would be up to the community to decide,” she said.

“We have about $100,000 in the budget for long-term stewardship,” Batt said, adding that access via Tufts Pond Road and the long-term maintenance of the road would need to be part of the discussion.

The project’s timeline involves fundraising and applying for grants this year, with community meetings set for early 2026. The project could be finalized by 2027.

Batt requested that the town submit a letter of interest within the next month, which would not commit the town to anything beyond exploring the proposal.

“We have some upcoming grant applications, so this is a good time to check in with the town and gauge whether or not there is interest,” Batt said, who has worked with the Trust for three years.

Batt said the nonprofit has conserved about 220,000 acres in Maine. The Trust previously partnered with the town and the High Peaks Alliance on the Shiloh Pond conservation project in 2020.

“This would be a proposed expansion of that community forest,” Batt said. “We work on forest conservation, public land conservation and everything in between. We do a lot of community forests.”

Brent West, executive director of the High Peaks Alliance, spoke about the community-driven origins of the Shiloh Pond project.

“The project of Shiloh Pond started with residents of Kingfield who posted on the community forum, right before the big COVID boom,” West said. “We ended up with a positive town vote. It has gone well with a local committee managing that. We made a small walking trail there last year. It just seems to be a very beloved part of town.”

West noted that Board of Selectmen Vice Chairman Wade Browne had previously suggested Reed Brook as another potential conservation area.

“During that conservation, Wade came up and said if there is one other thing you can conserve, it’s Reed Brook,” West said. “Shiloh has been such a special place for everyone, and it’s all been locally managed. That is my goal; proposing and bringing the town in this time, to have local control.”

“I’m not opposed to it, but I’m not in favor of it yet,” Browne said, but expressed concerns about the project’s benefit to Kingfield.

“What is in it for Kingfield?” he asked. He also noted that the board usually does not vote on projects when first introduced.

Batt highlighted the long-term benefits, such as local control over land use and potential financial gains from sustainable timber harvesting.

West added that as Kingfield becomes more popular, conservation efforts are vital to balancing development.

One resident expressed support for the project, saying, “It is good to have something locally to see the beauty that is here.”

Another resident raised concerns about balancing development with preservation, citing increased traffic and visitors to the region.

Browne suggested adding information about the project to the town’s website to gather public input.

The board agreed to post project details online and seek public feedback before making any decisions.

Batt said if the town decides to move forward, the project could be included in the town’s comprehensive plan.