Chatham to Vote on Land Bank and CPA Funds for Lot on Barn Hill Road

When Chatham town meeting commences on Monday, May 12, 2008, voters will consider Article 17 and Article 18, to approve $125,000 in Land Bank funds and $125,000 in FY 2009 Community Preservation Act Funds, respectively, for the purchase of a half-acre on Barn Hill Road and Valley Farm Drive for conservation and open space.

As the town warrant notes about Article 17, “The purpose of this article is to approve the purchase of a property on Barn Hill Road and Valley Farm Drive consisting of approximately 0.47 acres for conservation and open space. Though not a large parcel, its strategic location fits many of the criteria that the Land Bank reviews when considering a purchase ...

This building lot abuts the Town’s Valley Farm conservation property purchased in 2006. Protection of this lot fronting on Barn Hill Road will serve to protect the scenic vistas to the Oyster River from the public roadway. In addition, the parcel will provide an ideal and appropriate location for a small parking area that will facilitate public access at the entrance to the Valley Farm property and to the trails of the conservation area.

The Valley Farm area is known to support wildlife habitat of rare and endangered species and the prevention of development on this lot will further serve to protect the area. This proposal is congruent with the goals of the Long Range Comprehensive Plan by virtue of conserving open space.

This purchase is a collaborative effort between the Community Preservation Committee, the Land Bank Committee, and the Chatham Conservation Foundation, Inc. Approval of this article will appropriate Land Bank Funds in the amount of $125,000 towards the $300,000 purchase price [and approval of Article 18 will appropriate Community Preservation funds in the amount of $125,000 towards the $300,000 purchase price]. The remaining funds are to be provided by the Chatham Conservation Foundation, Inc. in the amount of $50,000. The Town will own the property and the Conservation Foundation will hold the conservation restriction."