SKANEATELES - The wilderness area around Gully Road will soon get a lot bigger.

The Skaneateles Town Board has agreed to purchase the O'Loughlin property along Gully Road and Old Seneca Turnpike for $90,000. The land would be added to property designated for conservation already purchased by the town.

Members of the public voiced overwhelming approval of the plan during a public hearing held earlier this month.

“It's a great recreation area for fishing and hunting and I think as much land as we can preserve in the town from development is good,” said Joe Southern, a planning board member. “This is a very productive way to do it, to not only take it out from development, but put it to good use in terms of conservation.”

Planning board member Dessa Bergen showed support for buying the land - an area she said was like “another world when walking through it” - but had reservations about its use. Specifically, she pointed to hunting and how safe it would be for sportsmen and other people to use the land during hunting seasons.

“That is something I hope we can work out so that all activities can go on without fear (for) safety,” she said.

Councilor Jim Greenfield said the price of the land was high, but worth spending. On the other hand, Bruce Famoly, foreman of the water department, said cost was irrelevant.

“The price is really insignificant compared to what it holds for the future of our children and grandchildren, being able to go to a wilderness area and see all the birds and whatever else is back there,” he said. “I think it's very important that we preserve this piece as well as the other areas we have.”