21.286 An Order Authorizing Acquistion of a Parcel on the Easterly Side of the Mill RiverCity of Northampton
MASSACHUSETTS
_________
In City Council, June 3, 2021
Upon the recommendation of Mayor David J. Narkewicz and the Office of Planning and
Sustainability
21.286 AN ORDER AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF A PARCEL OF LAND
ON THE EASTERLY SIDE OF THE MILL RIVER AND THE WESTERLY SIDE OF THE MASS CENTRAL
RAIL TRAIL IN LEEDS
WHEREAS, the parcel subject to this Order is located on the westerly side of the MassCentral
Rail Trail and the easterly side of the Mill River in Leeds and is shown on a plan of land shown as
“Locus 05-072-01” on a plan entitled “PLAN OF LAND IN NORTHAMPTON, MA, HAMPSHIRE
REGISTRY, PREPARED FOR THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON,” dated May 7, 2021, and recorded in
the Hampshire Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 249, Page 82. (“the Parcel”); and
WHEREAS, the Open Space, Recreation, and Multiuse Trail Plan (2018-2025) calls for increased
open space along the Mill River; and
WHEREAS, there has been strong support from Leeds community meetings and from the Leeds
Civic Association to add the property of the Heirs of August R. Tyrrell to the Mill River
Greenway, with the Leeds Civic Association agreeing to hold the required Conservation
Restriction on the property and provide long term assistance cleaning up debris on the property
; and
WHEREAS, the City’s on-going CPA-funded study of informal swimming areas on the Mill and
the Connecticut River shows support for this project. .
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED,
The City Council hereby authorizes the acquisition by purchase, gift, eminent domain, or
otherwise of the Parcel believed to be owned by the Heirs of August R. Tyrrell shown as “Locus
05-072-01” on a plan entitled “PLAN OF LAND IN NORTHAMPTON, MA, HAMPSHIRE REGISTRY,
PREPARED FOR THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON,” dated May 7, 2021, and recorded in the
Hampshire Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 249, Page 82, for the purposes of conservation,
recreation, and open space subject to the provisions of Article 97 of the Massachusetts
Constitution and in accordance with the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act,
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44B. The Parcel shall be in the care, custody and control
of the Northampton Conservation Commission.
As damages for the taking, the City Council hereby awards Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars
($2,400.00).