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Select board approves conservation consultant contract and discusses donated Stevens parcel
Summary
The select board approved a revised contract for conservation consultant Anna Boudreaux, capping project fees at $6,007.50 per project and $9,500 total without prior approval, and discussed a donated three-acre Stevens property with estimated survey and evaluation costs under $10,000.
The Brentwood select board approved a revised contract with a conservation consultant and discussed next steps for a donated parcel known as the Stevens property.
Rob Wufchuck of the Conservation Commission explained that the proposed contract with consultant Anna Boudreaux clarifies per-project and total-fee caps: fees for any specific conservation project would not exceed $6,007.50 (or the equivalent of 75 hours) and the total fee under the agreement would not exceed $9,500 without prior written approval of the commission. Wufchuck said Boudreaux was selected through a request for proposals, that she had previously served as executive director of a land-trust organization and that the commission will manage tasks within its existing budget. One board member abstained from the vote because of a personal acquaintance with the consultant; the remainder approved the amendment and directed staff to finalize the contract language for signature.
The board also discussed the Stevens property, a roughly three-acre parcel being donated to the town. The chair, speaking as an ex officio member of the Conservation Commission, said the parcel provides conservation value and that survey and environmental evaluation costs associated with accepting it would total under $10,000 this year (survey, evaluation and related due-diligence), not an ongoing appropriation. Board members expressed support for accepting and evaluating the donation and noted that if the property is to be used as a cemetery that would be a future decision.
What's next: Conservation will work with the consultant under the approved fee caps and the town will proceed with surveys and environmental reviews for the Stevens property; the finalized consultant contract will be signed once language is updated.
