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Wrentham Select Board approves conservation restrictions to protect about 16 acres
Summary
The Select Board voted unanimously June 16 to approve two conservation restrictions that will protect roughly 16 acres of forest and wetland behind White Barn Farm and on Beach Street, using a combination of town Community Preservation Act funds and a state Forest Reserve grant.
The Wrentham Select Board voted 5–0 on June 16 to approve two conservation restrictions that together will conserve roughly 16 acres of forested land behind White Barn Farm and two smaller parcels on Beach Street.
Town Manager Michael King told the board the town appropriated $310,500 in CPA funds toward the purchases and that the Metacom Land Trust secured a state Forest Reserve grant that will cover up to 50% of the conservation cost. King said the Beach Street parcels will be owned by the land trust with a conservation restriction held by the town; the South Street parcel will remain privately owned and be protected by a jointly held restriction.
"The proposed conservation area includes 13.5 acres directly behind White Barn Farm and two smaller forested parcels on Beach Street," King said. He also noted the conservation restrictions require a majority of the Select Board to execute with wet signatures and asked to schedule signatures this week.
The motion to approve the conservation restriction on property located at 431 South Street (from Elliot Raymond, trustee of a realty trust) and the restriction on 85 and 95 Beach Street (from the Metacom Trust, Inc.) each carried on a roll‑call vote of 5–0.
Why it matters: the parcel behind White Barn Farm contains upland forest and wetlands that abut locally valuable open space; board members said the purchase and restrictions implement the town’s long‑standing conservation and open‑space goals and reduce future pressure on the town’s water supply and wildlife habitat.
Next steps: King said the town will coordinate final execution of the documents and record the restrictions with the registry of deeds. The land trust and town staff will provide owners and neighbors with details about permitted uses under the conservation restrictions.
Authorities and legal basis: the board referenced Section 32 of Chapter 184 of the Massachusetts General Laws during the motion to authorize the conservation restrictions.
