Land trust asks Hopkinton council for a stable share of the town's real-estate transfer tax

Sarah Windsor, chair of the Hopkinton municipal land trust, urged the Town Council to consider a more stable revenue stream for stewardship costs after the land trust requested level funding at the council's budget review meeting.

"The bond money is for acquisitions only," Windsor said, warning that as the trust acquires more properties it must also pay for upkeep. She cited three new parking areas this year at "about $10,000 a piece," and a recent $7,500 grant for signage that does not cover ongoing maintenance.

Windsor described the land trust's historical reliance on the town's real-estate transfer-tax fund. "When the land trust started, we got 100% of that fund," she said, adding that the town's transfer-tax pool this year is roughly $192,000 and the trust currently receives up to $14,000. Windsor suggested a flat-percent allocation'"maybe 20% is our number"'to reduce the annual request process.

Council members asked for clarification about current percentages and how the trust's leasing program and solar-easement payments factor into revenue. The council discussed arranging a follow-up meeting with Windsor and town staff (named in the discussion as Brian and Bita) to identify options and numbers.

Longtime land-trust member Carol Baker reiterated the municipal status of the trust and asked that the town consider operational help, including plowing parking areas during storms. "This is the town's property," Baker said, adding that voters approved the open-space bond with the expectation that the town would steward protected lands.

The council did not act on a motion at the meeting; members agreed to revisit the request as part of the broader budget process once more precise town revenue figures are available.