21.369 An Order to Appropriate $233,400 in CPA Funds to OPS and Conservation Commission for Priority Property AcquisitionsCity of Northampton
Massachusetts
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In City Council, December 2, 2021
Upon the recommendation of Mayor David J. Narkewicz, Planning & Sustainability, the Conservation Commission, and the Community Preservation Committee
21.369 An Order to Appropriate $233,400 in CPA Funds to OPS and Conservation Commission for Priority Property Acquisitions
An Order
To approve purchase of 64 acres +/- in the Mineral Hills, Parsons Brook and Saw Mill Hills Greenways, and to appropriate Community Preservation Act funds for such purpose
WHEREAS, The Open Space, Recreation, and Multi-Use Trail Plan: 2018-2025 recommends acquisition of land for recreation, conservation and open space needs, preserving character of rural
areas, farms, forests and rivers, and provision of open space connections between public spaces;
WHEREAS, The City has an agreement or is negotiating to purchase three parcels: 46 acres in the Mineral Hills north of Chesterfield Road, 5.2 acres in the Parsons Brook Greenway south
of Ryan Road, and 13 acres in the Saw Mill Hills Greenway north of Ryan Road that fulfill the Open Space Plan recommendations, meet unique open space and recreational needs and fill
gaps in the City’s open space network;
WHEREAS, on November 17, 2021, the Northampton Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend that $233,400 in Community Preservation Act funds be used to support this
project.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT 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. The property shall be held
under the care, custody and control of the Conservation Commission, and the acquisitions are found to be in the public interest pursuant to Section 32 of Chapter 184 of the Massachusetts
General Laws.
The Conservation Commission is authorized to contract for and expend any federal, state, or other aid available for this project;
That $233,400 be appropriated from Community Preservation Act funding to the Northampton Conservation Commission and Office of Planning and Sustainability for the Priority Acquisitions
Project. And, that the grantee meets the conditions approved by the Community Preservation Committee, the Mayor, and City Council.
Specifically, $5,099 is appropriated from the CPA Budgeted Reserve (account #2344930-359930), and $228,301 is appropriated from the CPA Open Space Reserve (account #2344930-359931).