A Charlestown developer who owns 81 acres abutting the Narragansett Indians’ tribal land told town officials that three potential buyers –– including two casino promoters –– have offered him $20 million for the land, Charlestown officials said.

The developer, Larry LeBlanc, and his lawyer, William Landry, met with Town Administrator Edward M. Barrett, Town Solicitor Robert E. Craven and Public Works Director Alan Arsenault on Oct. 1 to discuss the town’s possible purchase of the land. The town has until today to express interest.

LeBlanc declined to comment yesterday, and Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas denied any involvement.

“We would like to have this property,” Thomas said, “but the reality is we don’t have this kind of money.”

Yesterday, town officials met behind closed doors to discuss LeBlanc’s proposal.

Craven and Barrett have recommended the town buy the land.

“This property has been the subject of much speculation by the town as a potential, suitable site for an Indian casino and has caused grave concerns as to the potential ramifications of an adverse ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court,” Craven wrote in an Oct. 9 memorandum signed by Barrett

Craven estimated the cost of the land would be $3 to $5 million.

“We must act now or this dual benefit opportunity could pass us by,” he wrote.

If the town were to buy the land, Craven said, it could use some of the $2 million previously approved by voters for open space and recreation projects.

The 81-acre parcel abuts the Narragansett’s 31 acres that are the subject of a pending U.S. Supreme Court appeal over whether the land can be put into federal trust. Town officials have speculated that if the tribe or a partner were to buy the land, the Narragansetts could add it to the rest of its federal trust, giving it enough land for a mega-development such as a casino.

The court is to hear the case on whether federal or state and local laws apply on Nov. 3.

Acting Town Council President James M. Mageau said the town is in no position to buy the land, pointing to the state’s precarious financial situation, and noting that the current Town Council has only one month left in office.

“I think it’s all a shakedown . . . [to] artificially inflate the value of the property,” Mageau said. “[LeBlanc] knows that the town is not in a position to buy land right now.”

Councilwoman Harriet A. Allen said she supports buying an option to purchase the land.

“It’s literally buying time so that the people, after the Supreme Court makes its decision, can decide,” Allen said.

The land had been pitched as a location for a new school when Charlestown pursued a withdrawal from the Chariho Regional School District.

Voters eventually rejected the withdrawal proposal.

Most recently, LeBlanc proposed building 125 detached condominiums, including 31 affordable units, on the site.

marmenta@projo.com