Closing in on land purchase

The city was recently awarded a $500,000 federal grant to help purchase Whispering Hill Woods, a 74.4-acre property west of Cambridge Road owned by Northeastern University. The state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs awarded the money, which comes from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The city earlier this year reached agreement with Northeastern to purchase the land for $6.7 million. Before voting to borrow the funds in June, the City Council in May had voted to adopt a 0.75 percent local meals tax with a pledge from Mayor Scott D. Galvin to use the proceeds to pay for purchase of Whispering Hills and another open space property, part of the Spence Farm. On Tuesday, the council will vote on a series of orders needed for the city to access the grant. The closing on the purchase is scheduled for Dec. 23, Galvin said. — John Laidler