Owners of the financially failing Allendale Country Club could sell the club's 150 acres to Dartmouth at a deep discount. But Selectmen, noting the strings attached, are skeptical that it would be a good deal for the town.

The club has received reduced tax rates over the years, which means the town gets the opportunity to purchase the property before it hits the open market. Located in the center of town, the property is assessed at $5.4-5.8 million, but the town could purchase it for $3.2 million, with the condition that it be managed as a golf course for the next 10 years.

"We would in a sense be buying out their debts at a discount because we'd have to wait 10-15 years to use it," said Town Administrator David Cressman.

The owners have paid reduced tax on the property because it's classified under state law as open space. The chapter 61B classification includes properties that may be used for recreational purposes or not, and the property does not necessarily have to be open to the public, explained Cressman.

The Select Board convened with the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and Board of Assessors on January 30 to discuss whether or not to move forward with a purchase. The Parks Department, Finance Committee, and School Committee was also invited, and residents were encouraged to weigh in.

The goal of the meeting was to decide whether or not the town would have use for the land in the future, and to decide whether or not to start researching how the sale would play out, as the town would have to contract a management business for the golf course for the next five to 10 years.

Residents voiced concerns that their tax dollars would be helping to pay for a failing business to continue operating.

"I would be so much more enthusiastic about this if I knew I wasn't subsidizing a golf course," said one resident, adding that he was more than happy to pay taxes for land that would benefit the town. He listed soccer and baseball fields, walking paths, a pool for high school students and the Council on Aging members, volleyball and pickleball courts, and a dog park all as better uses for the property.

"All of these things would make the town more livable, but for me to pay taxes so the members of Allendale can continue playing golf... I don't want to do that," he said.

Town officials assured residents that if the purchase moved forward, the country club would become a public-use golf course. Parks Department Director Tim Lancaster noted that the town needs open space for fields, especially with the future of the Gidley School fields up in the air as a new police station is planned for that property.

Lancaster suggested that the town find out if there were parts of the property that the Parks Department could start using immediately.

Finance Committee member Doug Roscoe questioned how the town could run a successful golf course when the attraction has seen declining popularity.

"How are we going to get someone to run it sustainably?" he asked, insisting that the Select Board would have to put some clause in a purchase agreement that would give them the option to abandon the business.

Allendale’s attorney, Robert Feingold, explained that the company’s reasoning for the reduced price is to continue having golf on the site. He added that if the town doesn’t accept the terms, the owners will probably sell the property at fair market value.

If the town decides not to purchase the property, the owners would have to declassify it as open land, and sell it as a whole or in sections.

Residents also worried about the potential for housing development at the site if the town opts not to purchase the land. One proposal to the town included putting 13 homes along Allen Street, each on 10,000 square-foot lots.

None of the town boards had yet had time to cast an official vote on the matter, so members gave their individual opinions.

Board of Assessors Chair Robert Michaud said the town would miss out on $750,000 in new taxes if it bought the property. He stressed the importance of alleviating the increasing tax burden for residents. Additionally, Michaud said that if houses were built on the propety, the town would take on residents who could further strain town resources, such as the schools.

Planning Board Vice Chair Joseph Toomey, however, looked at the property as an investment.

"We're growing out of our Town Hall. We're having problems with the [Department of Public Works] building. We're still working out details for the Police Department," he said. "I think we're going to be spending money in the future no matter what."

School Committee member Chris Garth said that the committee has been eyeing the property for a while. The school committee is currently completing its facilities master plan, which will examine the buildings' lifespans and district's needs for upcoming years.

Environmental Affairs Coordinator Mike O'Reilly said that the lack of wetlands makes the property "a very versatile piece of property, and an opportunity that should not be missed."

While Planning Board Clerk Lori-Ann Miller agreed that buying the land could benefit residents in the long run, she added that insurance, liability, and management details all needed to be discussed before making a decision.