Officials of Darien, Connecticut, signed a contract as the "first step" in a process to purchase Great Island, located around 50 miles outside of New York City, for more than $100 million, The Wall Street Journal reported on May 24.
The publication added that Monica McNally, the town's First Selectman, said in an email that there will be several other layers of approval needed from other town officials.
According to the site, McNally addressed the possible transaction at a meeting of the Darien Board of Selectmen in April, saying: "There will never be another opportunity for the town to control this property's destiny, or to add an asset to benefit all of us like this."
She added: "I believe 200 years from now, when people look at this property, they will look favorably on this transaction."