20.075 An Order to Purchase Land on Boggy Meadow Road to Add to the Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake GreenwayCity of Northampton
MASSACHUSETTS
_________
In City Council, June 18, 2020
Upon the recommendation of Mayor David J. Narkewicz, Planning & Sustainability, and the
Conservation Commission
20.075 An Order to Purchase Land on Boggy Meadow Road to Add to the Broad Brook-Fitzgerald
Lake Greenway
Ordered, that
WHEREAS, The Open Space, Recreation and Multiuse Trail Plan: 2018-2025 recommends
“preserving ecologically valuable land and filling gaps at … Broad Brook-Fitzgerald
Lake Greenway”;
WHEREAS, The City has an option to purchase up to 53± acres off Boggy Meadow Road from
the Wilbur family (Map ID 18-001) which contains rich wetlands and upland habitat,
trail opportunities, and would fill a major gap in the adjacent Broad Brook-
Fitzgerald Lake Greenway;
Ordered, that
The Conservation Commission is authorized to purchase or otherwise acquire for conservation and
passive recreation purposes, as provided by MGL Chapter 40, §8C, any fee, easement or
conservation restriction as defined in MGL Chapter 184, §31 or any other interest in the above
land and any immediately adjoining land; that the City Council hereby accepts such conservation
restrictions; that the Conservation Commission is authorized to grant conservation restrictions and
related easements on any land so acquired; and that the Conservation Commission is authorized to
contract for and expend any federal, state, or other aid available for this project, including any
grant from the Division of Conservation Services of the Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs, under the LAND/Self-Help Act, MGL Chapter 132A, §11, with such
related restrictions and agreements as the City determines are agreeable;
Further Ordered: That $150,000 is appropriated for such acquisition; that to meet this
appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow $150,000
under Chapter 44, Section 7(1) of the General Laws; that the Mayor and/or the Conservation
Commission are authorized to apply for and expend any federal, state, or other aid available for
this project, including any grant from the Division of Conservation Services of the Executive
Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs under the LAND Self-Help Act, Chapter 132A,
Section 11 of the General Laws, provided that the amount of the borrowing authorized by this vote
shall be reduced by any such grants or aid received for the project; and that any premium received
by the City upon the sale of any bonds approved by this order, less any such premium applied to
the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds, may be applied to the payment of costs of the
project approved by this order in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws and
thereby reduce the amount of the authorized borrowing by a like amount.