East Lyme - The Board of Selectmen briefly discussed on Wednesday a proposal to acquire 166 acres of land for open space but tabled action to allow time for public information sessions.

The selectmen are considering a proposal to acquire the Niantic River Headwaters Preserve for open space. The New England Forestry Foundation, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization, is interested in managing the property under a sustainable forestry plan, where it could harvest trees on the land as well as allow trails and other recreational opportunities.

One option under the proposal is to have the foundation own the property and the town and state hold the conservation easement.

Under another option, the town would own the property while the foundation would hold the easement along with the state.

The director of The New England Forestry Foundation has suggested holding information sessions to present information to the public and answer questions, Steve Harney told the selectmen during Wednesday's Board of Selectmen meeting. Harney, also a Board of Finance member, is a member of KSK Associates, which owns the property.

The foundation is expected to schedule information sessions at a later date and may also mail information to residents about the proposal.

- Kimberly Drelich