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Conservation committee: survey finds 1.4-acre unowned parcel near Marion Woods, urges town review
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Summary
Jim Cheesebrow of the Woodstock Conservation Committee presented a new survey showing Marion Woods at about 119.96 acres and identified a 1.4-acre parcel with unclear title; he urged the select board to review deeds, consult surveyors and counsel, and coordinate with town and Forest Service officials.
Jim Cheesebrow, representing the Woodstock Conservation Committee, told the select board that a recent survey and a 2023 Sabre report clarify property lines around Marion Woods and show the preserve measures roughly 119.96 acres.
"It appears that that was declared a town road...and as a town road, it was declared a class 5, which means there's no parking on it," Cheesebrow said, and he flagged a separate 1.4-acre strip that appears to have no clear deed and therefore no owner. He asked the board whether the conservation committee should contact the town council and the U.S. Forest Service or whether the board preferred to handle next steps.
Board members agreed to forward the survey materials to town staff and to provide the conservation committee with contact information for Councilor Laura so the committee and town officials can coordinate. Committee members said they would also send the large map to municipal mappers so the town's tax and mapping records can be reconciled.
Cheesebrow recommended a standard sequence: review town and county deed records, consult local surveyors to reconcile conflicting surveys, consult counsel experienced in land‑property law, and coordinate with municipal officials to ensure any solution aligns with local planning rules. The board asked the committee to provide the large map for the town mappers and to keep the board copied on outreach to the town council and Forest Service.
The presentation also included operational notes for Marion Woods (trail access, visitor counts from camera reports) and a request to include a short write‑up in the conservation committee's annual report. No formal vote was required; board members requested additional documentation to support any legal steps and mapping changes.
The board listed the matter for further follow‑up and asked staff to route the survey materials and maps to the appropriate mapping and legal channels.
