A six-acre plot of land recently went on the market on Gooding Ave., and despite being largely wetland, the Town of Bristol (which already owns an adjacent 14-acre plot) was an eager buyer. The price: $280,000, less than both its tax assessment and $345,000 appraisal.

The goal, according to Town Administrator Steven Contents, is protection of open space and habitat, and to slow the ever-encroaching sprawl of development. It’s been a long-standing strategy of the Town, when it makes sense particularly when the price is right.

“I think every year that I’ve been in office we have made a pretty good-sized purchase, of either land or development rights,” said Contente.

What made this plot particularly attractive is the fact that it’s located at the very top of Bristol’s Silver Creek, a watershed that the town has spent countless hours and dollars in recent decades trying to rehabilitate. Every acre of land that is left in its natural state upstream, will reduce flooding downstream.

What’s more, the deal made sense financially. The lot runs along the southeast side of Gooding Ave. up to and around the Season’s gas station and convenience store, with additional frontage on Metacom Ave. Two advertising billboards sited on Metacom bring in roughly the same about of money that would be required to pay the note and expenses each year.

“That’s 6 acres added to the 14 the town already owned along Gooding that will be forever open,” said Contente. “Open space is a huge priority for the town. It’s critical for a balanced community — and once it’s gone it’s gone forever.”