Stonington — The town is proceeding with an effort to acquire a 1.5-acre site next to Mystic Seaport that would provide both a home for the Stonington High School crew team’s boathouse and public access to the Mystic River.

Last week the Board of Selectmen, which had endorsed the idea in August, met with officials from the Trust for Public Land, to further discuss the acquisition.

The plan is for the trust to negotiate a deal and acquire the land at 123 Greenmanville Ave. from owners George and Frederic Baumgarten. This will give the town time to approve funding and then acquire the land from the trust.

The Friends of Stonington Crew will be responsible for raising the money needed to construct the boathouse and dock. The friends would then sell the building and dock to the town for a nominal amount and the town would own, insure and manage the property.

First Selectman Rob Simmons said Tuesday that within 24 hours he expects to send a letter to the trust requesting its technical assistance in developing data concerning issues such as purchase price and remediation costs. He said the letter essentially will allow the trust to proceed with negotiations as it shows the town is interested in the acquisition.

The trust has employed a similar process in successfully helping local organizations acquire the Nathaniel Palmer House and, more recently, the Coogan Farm Nature & Heritage Center.

The trust now will work to formalize an agreement with the owners, and a referendum vote to approve town funding likely will take place next year.

Simmons, who has been a big supporter of the so-called Greenmanville Water Park, pointed out this is the last major undeveloped property available along the river.

The property, which contains a 1,680-square-foot home and garage, is located between the Latitude 41 restaurant and the former Kitchen Little property.

The property has been appraised by the town for $670,000 and was last listed for sale for almost $2 million, according to a presentation supporters made to selectmen earlier this month.

An environmental assessment and possible cleanup would also be needed on the property, which once was used to support the Rossie Velvet Mill across the street.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas