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Templeton CPC discusses potential donated conservation restriction and open-space plan grant
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Summary
Committee members heard about a possible donated conservation restriction on agricultural land; proponents said the restriction would be donated but the town may need to cover survey, appraisal and knotweed eradication costs and that North County Land Trust may help write grant proposals for an open space recreation plan.
Members of the Templeton Community Preservation Committee discussed an unsolicited offer to donate a conservation restriction on a parcel that includes open agricultural land.
Speaker 5 said the conservation restriction would be donated but warned there would likely be costs for survey and an appraisal. He noted, “there's a bad knotweed stand on the property,” and that the donation would probably require funding to address invasive-knotweed eradication. He said he is investigating whether the Agricultural Commission could hold the restriction or whether the committee (ADCom) might do so.
Speaker 5 also described a potential funding pathway: he has been speaking with Anna from North County Land Trust, who “thinks that she could write up early next year” a grant application that would pay for a substantial portion of a new open space recreation plan. Speaker 5 suggested using the approximately $8,000 in the conservation fund as local match and pursuing an outside grant with land-trust assistance.
Procedure and next steps: Speaker 5 said the committee’s next meeting with the Agricultural Commission will include an executive-session discussion related to negotiations on the land. Speaker 1 reminded members that the Select Board should be kept informed about potential approvals or responsibilities related to holding land or conservation interests.
Why it matters: a donated conservation restriction can protect agricultural land in perpetuity but may still require town resources (appraisal, survey, invasive-species control) and coordination with other town bodies and land trusts.
