Northampton-03 Amendment BDR
Rocky Hill Greenway
CR-Northampton-03
AMENDMENT TO ADD ACREAGE
Northampton, MA
BASELINE REPORT
Baseline Report Prepared: May 3, 2016
Conservation Restriction Amendment Recorded: June 14, 2016
Prepared by: Nick Rossi, CR Stewardship Specialist
Massachusetts Audubon Society
3
Table of Contents
Part I: Property Overview ........................................................................................................... 4
Conservation Restriction Abstract .............................................................................................. 5
Conservation Restriction History and Chronology ..................................................................... 6
Part II: Maps ................................................................................................................................. 7
Asssessor’s Map.......................................................................................................................... 8
Open Space Map ......................................................................................................................... 9
Driving Directions .................................................................................................................... 10
Topo Map .................................................................................................................................. 11
Aerial Photo .............................................................................................................................. 12
Survey ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Resource Map: Prime Forest Land Map ................................................................................... 15
Resource Map: Water Resources .............................................................................................. 16
Monitoring Map ........................................................................................................................ 17
Part III: Site Visit Report........................................................................................................... 18
Part A: Current Property Conditions......................................................................................... 19
Part B: Description of Boundary Conditions ............................................................................ 22
Part IV: Documentary Photographs ......................................................................................... 23
Photopoint and Route Map ....................................................................................................... 24
Boundary Monumentation Photopoint Map ............................................................................. 25
Waypoint Table..........................................................................................................................26
Documentary Photographs ........................................................................................................ 28
Part V: Recorded CR and Affidavits ........................................................................................ 39
4
Part I: Property Overview
5
Conservation Restriction Abstract
Property Information
Property Name: Northampton-03(Amendment to add acreage)
County: Hampshire
Municipality: Northampton
Street Address: Easthampton Road (Route 10)
Sanctuary (if any): Arcadia
Restricted Acreage of Amendment: 16.93
Total Restriction Acreage: 60.865
Tax Parcel References: Map: 44 Block: 029 Lot: 001
Conservation Restriction
Grantor Name: City of Northampton
Contact: Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning and Sustainability
Mailing Address: 210 Main Street, Room 11
Town: Northampton
State: MA Zip: 01060
Tel.: 413-587-1265 Email: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
Purchase Amount (if any): Source:
Stewardship and Defense Funds: yes Amount: $4,500
CR Amendment Recording Date:
CR Amendment Recording References Book/Page:
Deed Recording References Book/Page:
Plan Recording References Book/Page: 231/62
CR Recording Location: Hampshire
EOEEA number (if any): #54 A-1
Original CR Recording Date: 4/1/2015
Original CR Recording References Book/Page: 11902/245
6
Conservation Restriction History and Chronology
To be completed by Land Protection Specialist who worked the project. Should detail context of
project, motivation, intention, and overall history.
7
Part II: Maps
8
Asssessor’s Map
CR boundaries and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary were digitized by MAS staff based on surveys, other maps, and field
findings. Level 3 Assessor’s Parcels is from MassGIS. For more information on MassGIS, see www.mass.gov/mgis.
This map is not a survey and is for planning purposes only.
9
Open Space Map
Designed to show context of CR in relation to other conserved land. This should have some
relation to the CR’s purposes. For example, a CR conserved primarily for Audubon Sanctuaries
can have a smaller scope and should show all Audubon land prominently. Map should include a
layer for major roads, water features, and municipal boundaries to help the reader understand its
locations.
CR boundaries and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary were digitized by MAS staff based on surveys, other maps, and field
findings. Protected Open Space is from MassGIS. Basemap is 2014 Orthophoto also from MassGIS. For more
information on MassGIS, see www.mass.gov/mgis. This map is not a survey and is for planning purposes only.
10
Driving Directions
**Note: This section was copied from the original Baseline Documentation Report for Northampton-03 written by Jennifer Toumala
completed March 23, 2015**
Make your way to I-91. Take Exit 18 and turn left on Mt Tom Rd./US-5 toward Northampton Center. Turn left on Conz St. In 0.5 mile turn left on Old S St. In 0.1 mile turn left on South St./MA-10 S (South St. becomes Easthampton Road) and go 1.6 miles to the
crossing of the Manhan Rail Trail. Park on the right.
Parking: Park at the Easthampton Road access point for the Manhan Rail Trail.
GPS: The private lot near the rail trail parking area is 309 Easthampton Road.
11
Topo Map
MassGIS USGS topo mosaic. Property boundaries should be at the margins of the map in order to accurately
see features on basemap.
This CR boundary and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary were digitized by MAS staff based on surveys, other maps, and field
findings. Basemap is USGS topographic mosaic from MassGIS. For more information on MassGIS, see
www.mass.gov/mgis. This map is not a survey and is for planning purposes only.
12
Aerial Photo
Uses most recent ortho layers available from MassGIS. Property boundaries should be at the
margins of the map in order to accurately see features on basemap.
This CR boundary and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary were digitized by MAS staff based on surveys, other maps, and field
findings. Basemap is 2014 Orthophoto from MassGIS. For more information on MassGIS, see www.mass.gov/mgis.
This map is not a survey and is for planning purposes only.
13
Surveys
This plan is the same plan referenced as “a Plan of Land in Northampton, Mass., belonging to Walter
Salvo, February 20, 1962” in Exhibit A in the recorded amendment.
14
This plan was used only as an additional reference in identifying the CR boundary in the field and in creating the digital boundary file
of the CR used in the maps in this report.
15
Resource Map: Prime Forest Land Map
Should include 2-4 maps depending on complexity of the property. One of these should almost always
show water resources. Primarily, they should be informed by the stated purposes in the CR. If the CR
says that one purpose is rare habitat then there should be a map showing the appropriate Biomap2
layer.
This CR boundary was digitized by MAS staff based on surveys, other maps, and field findings. Basemap is Prime
Forest layer from MassGIS. See description in purposes section of the Site Visit Report below for an explanation on
Prime Forest Land. For more information on MassGIS, see www.mass.gov/mgis. This map is not a survey and is for
planning purposes only.
16
Resource Map: Water Resources
This CR boundary was digitized by MAS staff based on surveys, other maps, and field findings. Layers related to water
resources are from MassGIS. For more information on MassGIS, see www.mass.gov/mgis. This map is not a survey
and is for planning purposes only.
17
Monitoring Map
Must show important features observed during baseline fieldwork:
Important man-made features (woods roads, garbage dumps, structures)
Natural features (water resources, rare habitat types)
Boundary monumentation (stone walls, iron pins, etc)
Abutting conservation land (State parks, Audubon sanctuaries)
This CR boundary, and all manmade features layers (stone wall, rail trail etc) was digitized by MAS staff based on
surveys, other maps, and field findings. Layers related to water resources, and Assessor’s Parcels are from MassGIS.
For more information on MassGIS, see www.mass.gov/mgis. This map is not a survey and is for planning purposes only.
18
Part III: Site Visit Report
19
Site Visit Report
Part A: Current Property Conditions
Date(s) of inspection: January 5, 2016
Time spent on property: 1.5 hours
Weather ad ground conditions:
Partly cloudy and in the high 10’s to low 20’s Fahrenheit with 1-2 inches of snow and ice on the
ground.
Individuals Present and Relation to Property: Nick Rossi (Mass Audubon CR Stewardship Specialist)
1. Conditions of the Property Relevant to the Purposes of the Conservation Restriction:
Purpose Conditions Observed on Property
Proximity to Other Conservation Land
This added acreage to the Northampton-03 CR acts as another key piece
in developing a corridor of open space linking Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary and Mount Tom in the east to the Berkshire Hills natural landscape to the west. See also the Open Space Map above.
Wildlife Corridor Numerous deer tracks observed throughout property. A pileated
woodpecker call was also heard on the visit.
Prime Forest Land
Prime forest land is a digital layer developed by Department of Natural
Resources Conservation at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst meant “to classify potentially forested land into nine different categories based on potential average timber productivity of white pine and red
oak” with “Prime 1” meant to indicate the highest “potential average
timber productivity”. For more information on this layer see MassGIS.
Virtually all of this parcel is Prime Forest Land 2 and 3 as shown in the Prime Forest Land map above. Forest on the property was observed to
be in good health with exception of some bittersweet invasion (see
Invasive Species in “Man-Made Impacts” section below).
Public Recreation No public recreation observed at visit. This CR purpose currently
applies more to the northern parcel.
Furtherance of
Northampton City Policy
This CR purpose applies more to the northern parcel since the rail trail
spur is planned for the northern parcel and this parcel does not directly
abut the rail trail. The preservation of this property, however, does
prevent additional development in the area and helps preserve the overall natural integrity of lands roughly adjacent to the rail trail.
20
2. Conditions of the Property related to:
Improvements
Improvement Type Conditions Observed Photo(s)
Taken
Structures
There is a collapsed metal shed approximately 5’ x 5’ near the
east boundary of the CR (photo 7). It did not appear to be in use anymore and contained only some trash and empty propane cans.
A broken wooden tree stand was also observed along the south boundary (photo 15) and similarly did not appear to be in use
anymore.
7, 15
Roads or Paths
Evidence of woods roads and skid trails are present throughout
much of the property. All appeared grown in and do not function well as paths anymore. 15
Other. N/A N/A
Man-Made Impacts
Type Conditions Observed Photo(s) Taken
Habitat and
Vegetation
Management
None observed. 0
Use of Potentially Hazardous Materials None observed. 0
Excavation There is evidence of an old gravel pit along the southeastern portion of the property that is likely several decades old. 3-5, 8
Dumping or Storage
of Materials
Two empty propane containers and other assorted non-hazardous
materials were observed in the shed. 7
Use of Motorized
Vehicles None observed and none reported by the landowner. 0
Invasive Species Some spots of bittersweet were observed mostly on the eastern
portion of the property. 0
Use of Property By Others
Type Conditions Observed Photo(s) Taken
Authorized Public Use None observed. 0
Trespassing None observed. 0
Encroachments or Potential Encroachments
There is an abutting house lot on the eastern boundary with a barn and a snow plow just up to but not over
the boundary (photo 4). A collapsed shed was also observed just over the boundary (photo 7). See “structures” above for more details on the shed.
4, 7
Easements or Rights of Way None known. 0
21
Other Comments on Property Conditions: No other comments
Suggested Areas to Visit in the Future:
The eastern boundary where it abuts house lots should be monitored most frequently. In general,
this section of the Northampton-03 CR will likely have less activity than the original acreage and can be monitored less frequently.
22
Site Visit Report
Part B: Description of Boundary Conditions
1. Description of external boundaries:
The south and west boundaries are marked periodically by stone walls. Iron pins or concrete
bounds mark most corners as shown on the monitoring map and survey.
One iron pin at the northernmost corner on Route 10 (Waypoint 3) shown on the survey was
not found, and one concrete bound on Route 10 (Waypoint 5) also shown on the survey was
not found. The thin layer of snow may have obscured these boundary markers; however, pink
flagging appeared to mark their location and significant digging under the flags failed to reveal them.
The boundaries are shown in photos 1, 3-6, 8, 9 11, 12, 14, 16, 20 and 21.
Close-ups of boundary monumentation are shown in photos 2, 3, 10, 13, 17, and 19.
2. Description of exclusion or building envelope boundaries:
There are no exclusions or building envelopes on this property.
3. Description of abutting property use near the boundary:
The west and south boundaries abut privately owned land that is forested at the boundary.
The east boundary abuts Route 10 and two house lots. The north boundary abuts the original
portions of the Northampton-03 CR.
4. Other comments on boundaries:
No other comments.
23
Part IV: Documentary Photographs and Waypoints
24
Photopoint and Route Map
Waypoints, Route Traveled, CR boundaries and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary layers were digitized by MAS staff based on
surveys, other maps, and field findings. Basemap is 2014 Orthophoto from MassGIS. For more information on MassGIS, see
www.mass.gov/mgis. This map is not a survey and is for planning purposes only.
25
Boundary Monumentation Photopoint Map
Numbered waypoints were located at field monuments indicated and are the same waypoints digitized by Mass
Audubon staff as shown in the waypoint and route map above.
26
Waypoint Table
Camera Device and Software App: LG G4 Smartphone using the Open Camera App
GPS Make and Model: Garmin Oregon 650
Photographer: Nick Rossi
GPS Operator: Nick Rossi
Coordinate System of Photo Stamp: GCS WGS 1984
Date Waypoint
Number
Photo
Number Description Unaltered Photo File Name
1/5/2016 1 1 From NE corner (concrete bound, flagging). View along E boundary.
CR on right. 2016-01-05 10.11.25.jpg
1/5/2016 2 2 From E corner (iron pin on survey found, flagging). Close up of iron
pin. 2016-01-05 10.18.02.jpg
1/5/2016 2 3 From same location. View N along E boundary (flagging) with flagged
iron pin visible at bottom, CR on left. 2016-01-05 10.18.32.jpg
1/5/2016 2 4
From same location. View E along approximate jog in E boundary
(unmarked, roughly orange line) showing collapsed shed in center (in
circle), and Route 10 (which is the E boundary) in background.
2016-01-05 10.19.05.jpg
1/5/2016 3 5
From E corner of jog in E boundary (end of remnant stone wall,
flagging, iron pin on survey not found); View along jog E boundary,
CR on left. W corner of jog (iron pin) at the top of slope in
background. Slope is likely evidence of historic gravel pit.
2016-01-05 10.29.14.jpg
1/5/2016 3 6 From same location a few steps east. View along road frontage along
E boundary (Route 10), CR on right. 2016-01-05 10.30.10.jpg
1/5/2016 4 7
From just W of E boundary (Route 10). View of collapsed shed
approximately 5' x 5' and 4' tall. Two empty gas cans (one visible)
and other non-hazardous debris observed in shed.
2016-01-05 10.33.20.jpg
1/5/2016 5 8
From E corner of jog on E boundary (Point on Route 10, flagging,
concrete bound in survey not found). View along jog of W corner on
jog (concrete bound under flag).
2016-01-05 10.45.57.jpg
1/5/2016 5 9 From same location. View along E boundary (Route 10), CR on left. 2016-01-05 10.46.39.jpg
27
Date Waypoint
Number
Photo
Number Description Unaltered Photo File
Name
1/5/2016 6 10 From W corner of jog on E boundary (concrete bound, flagging).
Close up of concrete bound. 2016-01-05 10.48.34.jpg
1/5/2016 6 11 From same location. View along E boundary, CR on right. 2016-01-05 10.49.44.jpg
1/5/2016 7 12 From SE corner (iron pin, flagging). View along E boundary (Route
10) CR on left. Route 10 visible on far right. 2016-01-05 10.55.22.jpg
1/5/2016 7 13 From same location. Close up of iron pin. 2016-01-05 10.55.39.jpg
1/5/2016 7 14 From same location. View along S boundary (flagging) showing iron
pin that marks SE corner. 2016-01-05 10.56.59.jpg
1/5/2016 8 N/A Waypoint only: Point on S boundary (flagging) at start of stone wall N/A
1/5/2016 9 N/A Waypoint only: Point on S boundary (flagging) at end of stone wall. N/A
1/5/2016 10 15 From point on S boundary (flagging). View along woods road leading
into CR and of broken old tree stand on far right (orange circle). 2016-01-05 11.09.10.jpg
1/5/2016 11 16 From SW corner (concrete bound, flagging). View along S boundary
(flagging), CR on left. 2016-01-05 11.18.56.jpg
1/5/2016 11 17 From same location. Close up of concrete bound. 2016-01-05 11.19.12.jpg
1/5/2016 11 18
From same location. View along W boundary showing orange
flagging marking boundary with concrete monument shown on
bottom, CR on right.
2016-01-05 11.19.42.jpg
1/5/2016 12 N/A Waypoint only: At start of stone wall on west boundary. N/A
1/5/2016 13 N/A Waypoint only: at end of stone wall on west boundary. N/A
1/5/2016 14 19 From point on W boundary (flagging). Close up of concrete bound. 2016-01-05 11.34.32.jpg
1/5/2016 14 20 From same location. View along W boundary showing concrete
bound on bottom and flagging marking boundary on top. CR on left. 2016-01-05 11.36.09.jpg
1/5/2016 15 21 From NW corner of additional acreage (iron pin, flagging). View
along W boundary (unmarked), CR on left. 2016-01-05 11.48.20.jpg
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:1 Photo Number:1
Description:From NE corner (concrete bound, flagging). View along E boundary. CR on right.
Photopoint Number:2 Photo Number:2
Description:From E corner (iron pin on survey found, flagging). Close up of iron pin.
28
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:2 Photo Number:3
Description:From same location. View N along E boundary (flagging) with flagged iron pin visible at bottom,
CR on left.
Photopoint Number:2 Photo Number:4
Description:From same location. View E along approximate jog in E boundary (unmarked, roughly orange
line) showing collapsed shed in center (in circle), and Route 10 (which is the E boundary) in
background.
29
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:3 Photo Number:5
Description:From E corner of jog in E boundary (end of remnant stone wall, flagging, iron pin on survey not
found); View along jog E boundary, CR on left. W corner of jog (iron pin) at the top of slope in
background. Slope is likely evidence of historic gravel pit.
Photopoint Number:3 Photo Number:6
Description:From same location a few steps east. View along road frontage along E boundary (Route 10),
CR on right.
30
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:4 Photo Number:7
Description:From just W of E boundary (Route 10). View of collapsed shed approximately 5' x 5' and 4' tall.
Two empty gas cans (one visible) and other non-hazardous debris observed in shed.
Photopoint Number:5 Photo Number:8
Description:From E corner of jog on E boundary (Point on Route 10, flagging, concrete bound in survey not
found). View along jog of W corner on jog (concrete bound under flag).
31
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:5 Photo Number:9
Description:From same location. View along E boundary (Route 10), CR on left.
Photopoint Number:6 Photo Number:10
Description:From W corner of jog on E boundary (concrete bound, flagging). Close up of concrete bound.
32
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:6 Photo Number:11
Description:From same location. View along E boundary, CR on right.
Photopoint Number:7 Photo Number:12
Description:From SE corner (iron pin, flagging). View along E boundary (Route 10) CR on left. Route 10
visible on far right.
33
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:7 Photo Number:13
Description:From same location. Close up of iron pin.
Photopoint Number:7 Photo Number:14
Description:From same location. View along S boundary (flagging) showing iron pin that marks SE corner.
34
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:10 Photo Number:15
Description:From point on S boundary (flagging). View along woods road leading into CR and of broken old
tree stand on far right (orange circle).
Photopoint Number:11 Photo Number:16
Description:From SW corner (concrete bound, flagging). View along S boundary (flagging), CR on left.
35
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:11 Photo Number:17
Description:From same location. Close up of concrete bound.
Photopoint Number:11 Photo Number:18
Description:From same location. View along W boundary showing orange flagging marking boundary with
concrete monument shown on bottom, CR on right.
36
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:14 Photo Number:19
Description:From point on W boundary (flagging). Close up of concrete bound.
Photopoint Number:14 Photo Number:20
Description:From same location. View along W boundary showing concrete bound on bottom and flagging
marking boundary on top. CR on left.
37
Documentary Ground Photographs Taken by Nick Rossi
Photopoint Number:15 Photo Number:21
Description:From NW corner of additional acreage (iron pin, flagging). View along W boundary
(unmarked), CR on left.
38
Part V: Recorded CR and Affidavits