Select Board narrowly backs letter of support for Acton Hill conservation easements

The Select Board voted to sign a letter of support for two proposed conservation easements on parcels up on Acton Hill, a measure supporters said will connect existing conserved lands into a roughly 600-acre block. The motion to sign the standard town support letter passed 3-2 after discussion at the meeting.

Gunnar of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation described the parcels and why the agency and landowners seek local backing. "We're looking to acquire conservation easements on 2 properties up on Acton Hill," Gunnar said, noting that the two easements would tie into previously conserved parcels to create contiguous habitat and protect about 1.6 miles of stream frontage. He described the parcelsa small 3-acre exclusion on the Milk Ridge parcel and the public-access and recreation provisions that will remain in place.

Some board members and residents pressed on access, tax effects and whether owners retain development rights within exclusion areas; Gunnar said the easements would preserve private ownership while granting development rights to FPR and that fair-market-value compensation to owners is based on an independent appraisal of the pre- and post-easement value. One resident raised a past example of a property sold after being conserved, expressing concern about perceived double compensation; Gunnar acknowledged the concern and explained easement terms affect resale value.

The boardafter brief discussion about statutory practice and the role of local support in state and federal grant matchingmoved to sign the letter. The motion was made and seconded and carried by voice vote reported as 3 in favor and 2 opposed. The board recorded the action as a formal letter of support to accompany the conservation application.