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Commission explores state grant to protect 130 acres of John Brown properties
Summary
Torrington staff proposed pursuing a state open‑space grant (OSWA) to place conservation easements on roughly 130 acres owned by the Torrington Historical Society, estimating $120,000–$180,000 in potential payment for development rights and noting a 99‑year water company lease that must be resolved for grant approval.
The Torrington Conservation Commission discussed a proposal to seek state funding to protect about 130 acres associated with the John Brown properties, a parcel owned by the Torrington Historical Society that includes trails and watershed lands.
Assistant City Planner Nate Nerdy Cyrus outlined the concept: the city would apply for a state open‑space and watershed grant on behalf of the historical society to acquire development rights through a conservation easement. Cyrus said the parcels total roughly 130 acres, include trail infrastructure and historic‑site elements, and reside in watershed areas that strengthen the grant case. He said conservation partners estimate the state grant could fund roughly $120,000–$180,000 to compensate the historical society for relinquishing development rights, and that the program typically requires a match (Cyrus said a 25% match is likely but could be met with in‑kind contributions such as staff time and local services).
Cyrus flagged a material title issue: a 99‑year lease held by the local water company on both properties that is set to expire in about five years. He said early relinquishment of that lease would likely be needed for the state to consider the application, and reported preliminary conversations with the water company indicating conditional support to extinguish the lease on the day an easement is recorded, if a grant is awarded.
Commissioners and a representative from the Housatonic Valley Association discussed program mechanics, potential monitoring arrangements (the state typically holds OSWA easements but local monitoring can be named), and stewardship obligations. Cyrus said preliminary title checks found no deed restrictions that would prevent a conservation easement, and he recommended continued technical outreach to the historical society, the water company, and grant specialists before bringing a formal application forward.
The commission did not vote on a final commitment but endorsed further outreach and analysis of match funding, title issues, and grant timing.
