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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.