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Warner conservation commission confirms withdrawals to secure 62‑acre easement near Warner River
Summary
The commission held a public hearing and confirmed withdrawals from its Conservation Fund to cover survey and easement purchase costs for a 62‑acre property with a beaver pond that flows to the Warner River; partners said the land links larger conserved parcels and provides important wildlife habitat.
Nancy Martin, chair of the Town of Warner Conservation Commission, opened a public hearing and confirmed the commission will proceed with withdrawals from the Conservation Fund for a conservation easement on a roughly 62‑acre parcel that includes a beaver pond and habitat that connects to the Warner River. The commission discussed and confirmed two previously approved amounts: $15,000 for a survey, legal documentation and related paperwork, and $65,000 toward the conservation easement itself. Nancy Martin said the steps taken at prior meetings and the public hearing satisfy the legal requirements for withdrawing the funds.
Brent Ingle, board member of KCLT, described the property as linking conserved land, noting the parcel contains fields, forest and "a really nice beaver pond," and said "there were otters swimming in this beaver pond; it's very valuable wildlife habitat." He said the project is a joint effort with the Town of Warner and KCLT; KCLT will manage the housing‑related trust aspects while the commission pursues the conservation easement.
Commission members asked about fund balances. Nancy Martin said the municipal deposit/investment account showed about $133,000; withdrawing the $80,000 in stated line‑item amounts would leave roughly $53,000 available in that account. Members agreed to post the approved minutes and to proceed with invoices and closing steps so the easement purchase can move forward.
The commission displayed the parcel map (Map 6, Lot 4 on West Joppa Road) for the public and agreed to keep materials available at the municipal building and on the day of Town Meeting for voters to review. The commission did not detail a further formal vote tally in the meeting record provided in the transcript; members repeatedly referenced prior votes (including a January vote) that authorized these withdrawals.
The commission closed the public hearing after member questions and thanked project partners.
Next steps: the commission will finalize invoices for the survey and easement payment and post documentation as required.
