21.369 An Order to Appropriate 233,400 in CPA Funds to OPS and Conservation Commission for Priority Property Acquisitions - CertifiedCity of Northampton
MASSACHUSETTS
_________
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).