WINDHAM — Town officials passed on an offer to purchase the Applewood golf course property on Range Road.

Applewood Golf Links and Heavy Hitters Driving Range sits on 28.36 acres of land acquired by the state as part of the Route 111 relocation project. Peter Chulack leases the land and operates a nine-hole, par 3 golf course with an adjacent driving range.

The state declared the parcel as surplus and is selling it for $3,060,000, plus $1,100 administrative fees. State regulations give the town the right of first refusal.

Town assessment and tax data list the current property value at $1,280,800.

After conferring with the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and the Economic Development Committee, selectmen felt it was best to let the property be sold on the open market and stay on the tax rolls.

The town notified the state of its decision on Tuesday, making the land available for marketing to the general public.

Other properties along Range Road are becoming available as the construction project draws to a close.

In May the town decided against buying 11.7 acres at 41 Range Road where Delahunty Nurseries is located. The state had retained that property in 2003 as part of the Route 111 relocation project and was selling it for $1.2 million plus administrative fees. Delahunty Nurseries is owned by Jay Yennaco.

In that decision, town officials said the parcel should remain commercial to continue generating tax revenue.

In March, Windham Farms owner Jeffrey Pelletier asked selectmen to help negotiate an agreement to avoid eviction from his parcel located behind Heavy Hitters Driving Range at 53 Range Road. Pelletier said he fell behind in his rent payments because constant road construction squeezed out his business. The state bought that parcel 10 years ago with an agreement that the land would be sold when construction was complete.

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