Sprague – The town’s $18,000 local matching share to receive a state $276,000 open space land acquisition grant to purchase the 230-acre Watson estate will not come from taxpayer dollars.

First Selectman Cathy Osten said the Sprague Rod and Gun Club last week approved a $15,000 grant to the town to cover the majority of the town’s matching requirement. The Friends of the Shetucket River Valley, a nonprofit organization with members in Sprague, Franklin and Windham agreed to contribute the remaining $3,000.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday that the state has approved the open space preservation grant to Sprague to purchase the land, a combination of farm land, woods and streams along the Shetucket River in Sprague and Franklin. The town of Sprague will own and manage the property.