21.271 An Order to Authorize Conservation Commission to Acquire Massachusetts Audubon Society Conservation RestrictionCity of Northampton
MASSACHUSETTS
_________
In City Council, May 20, 2021
Upon the recommendation of Mayor David J. Narkewicz, Planning & Sustainability, and the
Conservation Commission
21.271 An Order to Authorize Conservation Commission to Acquire Massachusetts Audubon
Society Conservation Restriction
WHEREAS, the Open Space, Recreation, and Multi-Use Trail Plan: 2018-2025 recommends
preservation of ecologically valuable land and filling gaps between protected lands
within the Connecticut River Greenway; and
WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Audubon Society has an agreement to purchase 16.5 acres in the
Meadows, adjoining land already permanently protected as part of Arcadia
Wildlife Sanctuary; and
WHEREAS, in exchange for $2,000 contribution to the purchase price, to be provided from the
Community Preservation Act Conservation Fund already on-hand, the
Massachusetts Audubon Society will grant the City a conservation restriction on
the property; and
WHEREAS, the project will advance the City’s partnership with MassAudubon to provide
public access in the Meadows, create and maintain grassland bird habitat and
protect ecologically valuable floodplain forest;
Ordered, that
The Conservation Commission is authorized to 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 accept conservation restrictions on any land so
acquired, with such related restrictions and agreements as the City determines are agreeable.