Ashland conservation panel accepts donated Beaverdam Brook parcel, pending back taxes

The Ashland Conservation Commission voted unanimously on June 15 to accept the donation of Parcel 1 at Beaverdam Brook Conservation Area, contingent on payment of back taxes and concurrent approval by the Select Board.

Agent Becca Solomon told the Commission the Trustees of Reservations presented a draft conservation restriction earlier in February and that the Commission had already voted to accept that draft. Solomon said the donation paperwork and survey show only Parcel 1 is being conveyed now; the donor, identified in the meeting as Mr. Zani, has indicated an intent to donate the remaining parcels but the survey lists a different ownership name for Parcels 2 and 3, preventing immediate transfer.

The Commission discussed options for acquiring the additional parcels. Solomon said the Town may pursue a "friendly" eminent domain process because the surveyed plan does not show Mr. Zani as the owner of Parcels 2 and 3. Commissioner Gene Crouch moved to accept the donation of the specified parcels subject to payment of back taxes; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Preston Crow and passed 6-0-0.

Why it matters: the accepted parcel will add protected land to the Beaverdam Brook Conservation Area and preserve open space in the area, but the Town must resolve title and tax issues before the conveyance can be completed.

Next steps: the Commission’s acceptance is conditioned on tax payment and requires concurrent Select Board approval before the donation can be recorded. The Commission reviewed the survey plan and assessor maps as part of its discussion.