Council authorizes land trust to finalize conservation-easement paperwork for 75-acre Hillsdale parcel

The Richmond Town Council voted to authorize the Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust to complete documentation required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (NRCS/FSA) and to permit the land trust’s representative (identified in the motion as Susan Clayton) to sign the paperwork necessary to receive previously awarded funding to acquire a conservation easement on a Hillsdale Road property.

The presenter described the parcel as approximately 75 acres with frontage on Route 138 and Hillsdale Road. The land trust applied for and received competitive funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to purchase development rights; the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has committed an estimated matching share, and the land trust will cover appraisal and boundary survey costs required for the transaction and long-term stewardship obligations.

Councilors asked about public access and whether the easement would connect to existing conserved parcels; the land trust representative said the parcel connects with adjoining conserved lands (the DeCompitt estate and other conserved properties) and that the easement will keep the parcel in private ownership while protecting development rights and natural resources. The motion to authorize completion of the federal paperwork and signatory authority passed by roll call.

The council’s approval lets the land trust move forward with final federal forms and the transfer of funds so the easement acquisition can proceed, subject to final appraisal and survey work.