Town Meeting OKs $95,268 from Open Space Fund to Buy Development Rights for Kaplan Farm

Town Clerk Michele Urch moved that the Town authorize the expenditure of $95,268 (subject to final survey acreage) from the Open Space Fund to purchase the development rights for the Kaplan Farm, 47.3 +/- acres at 714 North Street. The motion, seconded by Kris Lambert, opened for public comment and was approved by voice vote.

The presentation materials reviewed at the public information session said the total purchase price is $385,535, with state and federal grants covering $290,267 and the Town share totaling $95,268 (about $2,034 per acre). Slides explained that preserved farmland and open space would remain privately owned, stay on the tax rolls, and that the Town’s Open Space Fund balance after the commitment would be about $1,014,091. The packet noted the Town’s Farmland Preservation Program has leveraged $11,674,822 in state and federal funds over time.

Urch presented the motion as written: “Resolved: That the Town Meeting of the Town of Suffield authorize the expenditure of $95,268 (subject to any adjustment due to final survey acreage) from the Open Space Fund for the purpose of purchasing the Development Rights from the Kaplan Farm consisting of 47.3 +/- acres located off North Street.” The motion authorized the First Selectman to sign and execute documents necessary to complete the transaction. After brief public comment the meeting record shows the motion passed by voice vote.

The action preserves the Kaplan Farm through a purchase of development rights (PDR) rather than an outright acquisition of the land. The town presentation stressed conservation benefits such as protecting drinking-water recharge areas, maintaining agricultural character, and leveraging grant funds to reduce the municipal share of cost. No further conditions or contingencies were recorded in the minutes.