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Select Board accepts conservation and drainage easements for Chicks Crossing subdivision
Summary
The Select Board accepted two easements— a conservation easement protecting open space adjacent to Branch Brook and a drainage easement to safeguard a town culvert—linked to the 20-lot Chicks Crossing subdivision. The approvals were unanimous.
The Wells Select Board voted unanimously on Dec. 17 to accept two easements tied to the Chicks Crossing subdivision: a conservation easement covering roughly 2.153 acres of restricted open space adjacent to Branch Brook and a drainage easement that secures town access to an existing culvert crossing Chick Crossing Road.
Planning staff explained that the conservation easement restricts the use of fertilizers and pesticides on lots bordering the protected open space, and allows only low-impact activities (for example, walking trails with minimal improvement). The drainage easement was required by subdivision regulations so the town can maintain and, if necessary, repair the culvert that conveys stormwater across a lot in the subdivision. Staff and the town attorney reviewed draft documents; two lots have submitted building permits and well-water testing has been completed for those lots.
A Select Board member asked what would happen if the town declined the easements; staff responded that the developer would need to revise the subdivision plan and the town would lose the legal ability to maintain the drainage infrastructure in the future. The board voted to accept both easements to allow the developer to finalize conveyance and proceed toward building permits.
By accepting the easements, the town secures protections for an environmentally sensitive corridor near Branch Brook and ensures that the municipal drainage infrastructure will remain maintainable.
