Open Space Commission announces 48-acre conservation easement at 471 Main Road; town commits $1 million toward $2.63M appraisal

Tiverton—ouncilors heard an update on March 24 from the Open Space Commission: after more than 20 years of work, the Hicks family has agreed to convey a conservation easement covering roughly 48 acres at 471 Main Road, including an expansive western portion of the property and about 1,200 feet of waterfront.

Open Space Commission Chair Brian James told the council that a professional appraisal set a purchase price for the conservation easement at $2,630,000. He said associated legal, survey and transactional costs were likely to raise the total to roughly $2.7 million. The council has committed $1 million from the town's restricted open-space acquisition fund toward the acquisition.

James said the easement would prohibit future development of the conserved portion, allow public access once a trail system is established, and include a town and land-trust right of first refusal on other parts of the property. He said the commission and the land trust will pursue public and private grants, foundation support and private donors to raise the remaining roughly $1.7 million.

Councilors praised the long-running effort and asked about next steps. The chair said a formal press release and purchase-and-sale documentation would be published; appraisal documents are available via public-records request or through the purchase-and-sale materials that will be posted once complete.

Why it matters: The easement would preserve a large green-space corridor and waterfront for passive recreation and habitat protection and would restrict future development of the conserved area in perpetuity.

What happens next: The commission and the town have until March 31, 2026 to assemble the funding necessary to close; the town's $1 million commitment is already in place while the commission seeks the remainder from grants and private fundraising.