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Lakeville Open Space Committee finalizes 2025 plan; committee readies outreach, printing and property inventory work
Summary
The committee says the 2025 open-space plan is complete and will distribute copies; members discussed a property inventory, Chapter 61 discrepancies, a proposed outreach program (possible $2,000 warrant article), and a 500-copy color pamphlet funded through town expense.
The Town of Lakeville Open Space Committee reported on Thursday that the town’s 2025 open-space plan is finished and will be distributed to committee members on flash drive or by pickup at town offices. Committee members were asked to read the plan and submit revisions to staff within about two weeks so the document can move to other town boards and then to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for final acceptance.
Committee members said the completed plan runs about 254 pages and will be used to qualify the town for grants once it is accepted by the state. Tracy (town staff) will provide flash drives to members; the committee agreed members should email suggested revisions to Tracy and copy the chairman for consolidation.
The committee also reviewed its inventory of properties larger than 5 acres and described outstanding Chapter 61 listing discrepancies. Members said Ocean Spray’s property (about 202 acres) is on Chapter 61 and listed as a 10‑year agreement that expires Dec. 31, 2026; a Robins parcel (~26 acres) and a Dupree property (~15.6 acres) were discussed as items requiring follow-up with the assessor’s office. Committee members said they will seek clarification from Norm in the assessor’s office about expiration dates and recent omissions, noting the assessor’s office is transitioning staff and contract services.
Separately, the committee discussed an outreach program to educate landowners about conservation options. The committee reported MassWoods (University of Massachusetts extension) previously ran a similar outreach grant program but did not continue it this year; MassWoods said it could supply promotional pamphlets if the town covers mailing costs. Committee members discussed targeting about 175–200 landowners (owners of roughly 10 acres or more), with an expectation that duplicates and exclusions might reduce the final mailing to roughly 50 direct mailings responding to strong eligibility. The committee said it is likely to target a fall town-warrant article (due to town deadlines) seeking roughly $2,000 to fund the outreach mailing and program.
The group also reviewed an informational pamphlet/promo piece that will list town open-space properties and recreational sites. Town Administrator Andrew Succaforth offered to expense up to 500 color copies through the town; the committee discussed printer quotations (examples given for color vs. plain copies) and agreed to finalize text and then secure a formal quote. Committee members suggested adding information on tax exemptions available to landowners who protect land temporarily or permanently, following input from Nancy Yates.
Why it matters: an updated open-space plan, an accurate property inventory and targeted outreach are prerequisites for grant eligibility and local conservation actions. Committee members set a short timeline for member review and said they will route the plan through town boards before sending it to the state.
