Conservation Fund Application 2016Conservation Fund CPA Application 1
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET
I: Project Information
Project Title: Conservation Commission Conservation Fund
Project Summary: The Conservation Commission requests CPA funds to recapitalize
the Conservation Fund, established under Massachusetts General Law C40 S 8C.
The Fund is used for high-priority, time-sensitive acquisitions to permanently protect
open space for conservation and agriculture purposes. $80,000 is being requested
to fund soft costs related to permanent open space preservation, hard costs under
$20,000 per project, and hard costs over $20,000 with the approval of the
Community Preservation Committee. All fee acquisitions funded in whole or part
through CPA contributions will have conservation or agricultural preservation
restrictions placed upon them. Less-than-fee acquisitions will have conservation or
agriculture preservation restrictions held by the Conservation Commission.
Estimated start date: Winter 2017 Estimated completion date: Winter 2018
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
Open Space Historic Preservation
Community Housing Recreation
II: Applicant/Developer Information
Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Wayne Feiden
Property Owner (if applicable): Multiple Properties consistent with Northampton
Open Space, Recreation, and Multi-Use Trail Plan.
Organization (if applicable): Northampton Conservation Commission
Mailing Address: 210 Main Street, City Hall, Northampton MA 01060
Daytime phone #: 413-587-1265 Fax #: 413-587-1264
E-mail address: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
III: Budget Summary
Total budget for project: N/A
CPA funding request: $80,000
CPA request as percentage of total budget:
Applicant’s Signature: __________
Date Submitted: September 11, 2016________________
Conservation Fund CPA Application 2
CONSERVATION FUND CPA APPLICATION
Narrative:
The Conservation Fund is an important tool in the Conservation Commission’s land-
protection toolbox. Land acquisitions are often time-sensitive, and the time required to
obtain City-Council approval of the allocation of funds would make many land protection
efforts infeasible. Having funds readily available for soft-costs, such as appraisals, 21E
assessments and recording fees, as well as hard costs for smaller acquisitions, and
leveraging for grants, has enabled the protection of many acres that would not
otherwise have been possible.
The CPA has generously funded the Conservation Fund nine times, and these awards
have helped make protection of hundreds of acres of open space a reality. All of the
funding awards through 2016 have been closed out, and there are no remaining funds
available. The Commission and staff have been working on a number of properties for
several years, and in some cases decades. Several of these have come to fruition at
the same time, and having funds available to do the required due diligence for these
important purchases will ensure that they are able to be completed.
Community Preservation Criteria
The project meets several Community Preservation general criteria:
Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of
the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents
One of the key factors that defines Northampton’s unique character and sense of
place is its diverse open spaces located throughout the City. The project will
help to protect those open spaces and recreation opportunities.
Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive
plan and/or the Northampton Open Space and Recreation Plan 2005-2010, Open Space,
Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan 2011-2017 or is consistent with other city-wide
planning efforts that have received broad-based scrutiny and input and can
demonstrate wide community support
The Fund has been used to protect key parcels identified in the updated Open
Space Plan, and has also helped to lay the field for future recreation
opportunities identified as priorities.
Saves resources that would otherwise be threatened
Often, properties protected through the Conservation Fund are immediately
threatened by development. There have been instances where the Fund was
used to protect land on which approved residential subdivision plans had already
been obtained.
Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments
Conservation Fund CPA Application 3
The application is presented by the Conservation Commission and Office of
Planning and Sustainability.
Leverages additional public and/or private funds, or demonstrates that other funding
sources are not readily available or sufficient
Spending from the Conservation Fund is typically accompanied by leveraging
from grants or other funds. These include state LAND grants, private donations
and donations from our partner organizations, and funds from trusts and small
foundations. In some cases, conservation restriction holders donate the funds
and/or staff time necessary to hold the restriction and ensure that the properties
are doubly protected in perpetuity. For small purchases less than $20,000 where
quick action is necessary, there is no other source of funds that the Commission
could utilize.
Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget
Past awards to the Conservation Fund have all been carried out within the
estimated year implementation time, and have used funds wisely to protect
many important open space parcels.
The Project also carries the potential to meet all of the Open Space Evaluation criteria,
depending on the types of land protection opportunities that become available.
Community Need/Protections/Project Feasibility and Success
The project protects sensitive ecological resources, prime agricultural farmland, and
invaluable historic landscapes. All of these resources are identified as priorities in the
Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Permanent conservation or agricultural preservation restrictions will be placed on all
properties acquired with CPA funds. These will vary depending on the location of the
property acquired, but could include partners such as MassAudubon, the Broad Brook
Coalition, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, land trusts, abutting
towns, or others.
Success of the project will be measured by the number of properties, and the amount
of acres able to be permanently protected, either through fee acquisition or
conservation restrictions. Fee-simple properties, once acquired, will be owned and
maintained by the Conservation Commission. Staff will annually monitor and, if
necessary, enforce violations of conservation restrictions held by the City.
Project Budget: $80,000
Due to the nature of property acquisitions, it is not possible to establish a project
timeline for each individual purchase. Land protection through the Conservation Fund
is an ongoing project, and CPA funds could be used for a variety of different types of
expenditures, at different stages in the process for each targeted protection effort.
A great deal of information must be gathered about each parcel prior to completion of a
land protection effort. These are done on a site-specific basis, and could include
appraisals, 21E assessments, surveys, zoning and conservation permits, identifying and
Conservation Fund CPA Application 4
engaging project partners, and drafting of conservation or agricultural preservation
restrictions.
Attachments:
Annual Report through 2016
Support Letters to be provided as received
TO: Community Preservation Committee
FROM: Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Sustainability
RE: Conservation Fund #9 CLOSEOUT
DATE: June 18, 2016
Thank you for the study funding of the CPA Conservation Fund. Although collectively this has
been a significant CPA investment, most of the individual expenditures are relatively small. This
fund has allowed us to move quickly on land purchasing and financial leveraging opportunities
that often would otherwise be lost.
In the past, the CPC asked us to present our conservation fund summary to cover all the
Conservation Funds CPA has funded. As a result, even though this report is for Conservation
Fund #9, this report covers all CPA funded Conservation Fund projects up to today. The CPA
tracking spreadsheets show each charge, if you want that.
Open Space Preservation Project Acres CPA share Leveraged
Projects January 2016 to May 2016 to close of Conservation Fund #9
Talon Trust, Saw Mill Hills
Soft costs (appraisal)
2* $1,600 $0
Broad Brook Greenway
Soft costs (survey for survey to support CPA required CR)
0 $7,235 $0
Bobala (Sheldon Field)
Land acquisition (split with Conservation Fund 10)
2* $2,227 $2,000
Zewski, Rocky Hill Greenway*
Soft costs (closing property tax and recording fees)
See entry
below
$979 See entry
below
Projects November 2014-December 2015
LaValley, Saw Mil Hills
Land acquisition
17 $17,425
$0
Ksiniewicz, Historic Mill River
Soft costs (MAS donating CR stewardship and legal costs)
3.31 $3,480 $6,000
Steidler, Saw Mill Hills
Soft costs (land donated in lieu of back taxes)
4.9 $275 $4,900
Open Space Preservation Project Acres CPA share Leveraged
Zewski, Rocky Hill Greenway*
Soft costs (closing on land in March 2016, MAS donating CR
stewardship and legal costs and environmental assessment)
4.0* $5,195
$12,000
Derouin, Broad Brook*
Soft costs
1.0* $5,365 $0
Connecticut River Greenway CR
Soft costs (required as CPA project- Friends of N’Hampton
Recreation accepted CR for $5,000 below market)
$200 $5,000
Golash, Conte Fish and Wildlife Refuge
soft costs (land donated in lieu of back taxes)
0.25 $125 $2,000
Dostal APR, Park Hill APRs
Acquisition and soft costs
1.14 $1,570 $0
Baye APR*
Soft costs (APR from separate CPA APR account)
0.5 $700 $0
Reutener, Mineral Hills*
Soft costs (purchase from separate CPA grant & donations)
1* $1,550 $0
Hayssen, Stone Ridge Pond
Soft costs
1.29 $200 $4,000
Hewes, Rocky Hill Greenway*
Soft costs (purchase from separate CPA grant & donations)
5* $20,530 $0
Vollinger, Broad Brook*
Soft costs (purchase from CPA grant & donations)
1* $1,815 $0
McKown, Broad Brook
Land acquisition, soft costs
12.1 $10,044 $3,000
Totals through November 2014 to December 2015 55.7*** $80,513 $36,900
Projects through October 2014
Bosworth purchase: Mineral Hills Conservation Area
Leveraged other purchases Saw Mill Hills & Meadows
Land acquisition, soft costs
15 $10,000 $20,000
Bean Farm: Mill River Greenway
Use of funds for deposit, funds then refunded
2
$0 $47,500
Bleiman: Meadows Conservation Area
Soft costs
10 $8,927 $13,000
360 N. King: Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs
12 $23,410 $55,000
Beaver Brook Conservation Area*
Soft costs
2 $10,434
$10,000
Zimmerman CR: Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs
36 $19,475 $10,000
Beaver Brook Arch Bridge: Mill River Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs
4 $24,243 $14,562
Norwottuck Rail Trail extension ROW 2 $1,145 $5,000
Open Space Preservation Project Acres CPA share Leveraged
Soft costs
West: Saw Mill Hills Conservation Area*
Land acquisition and soft costs
18 $9,195 $6,000
James: Venturers’ Field Road APR: Meadows Conservation
Soft costs
5 $171 $5,000
Turkey Hill: Mineral Hills Cons. Area*
Soft costs
1 $3,500 $6,000
Lane: Connecticut River Greenway cons. & recreation*
Soft costs
3 $2,973 $50,000
Main Street/Leeds: Mill River Greenway
Soft costs
2 $22,700 $37,500
Boy Scout Island area: Conn. River Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs (50% interest in 26 acres=13)
13 $11,500
$5,500
Girl Scouts (I) Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs
23 $21,523 $8,000
Bean Allard/Mill River Greenway and Community Garden*
Soft costs
2
$198 $1,100
Ryan Rd/Sylvester Road: Saw Mill Hills Cons. Area
Land acquisition and soft costs
22 $13,755 $15,000
Skibiski purchase: Mineral Hills Conservation Area*
Soft costs
1
$1,309 $500
Ward Ave: Mill River Greenway
Soft costs
.1 $6,807 $500
Kestrel Trust Conservation Restrictions**
(two transactions to catch up with five years of CPA)
$45,000 $10,000
Sullivan: Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs
2 $20,617 $5,000
Bookends: Mineral Hills*
Soft costs
$6,695 $2,000
Girl Scouts II: Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs
17 $20,900 $4,000
Forest Legacy: Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs
36 $14,132 $9,000
Chatfield Conservation Restriction: Mill River Greenway
Soft costs
$1,846 $6,000
Gonski: Historic Mill River Greenway
Land acquisition and soft costs (50% interest in 20 acres=10)
10 $12,633 $2,500
Dike Road closure: Historic Mill River Greenway
Soft costs
$75 $5,000
Pomeroy Terrace: Meadows Conservation Area
Soft costs
5 $4,825 $10,000
Broad Brook Gap (Vollinger, Gleason and Kubosiak): Broad 7 $7,347 $11,000
Open Space Preservation Project Acres CPA share Leveraged
Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway*
Land acquisition and soft costs
Turkey Hill Road discontinuance: Mineral Hills Cons. Area 2 $375 $1,000
Hatfield Road: Connecticut River Greenway
Soft costs
6 $3,500 $13,000
Jail Farm: Meadows Conservation Area (future closing)
Soft costs
$325 $1,000
Jasinski Agriculture Preservation Restriction: Meadows*
Soft costs
4 $1,622
$1,000
Burke CR: Park Hill/Parsons Brook complex
Land acquisition and soft costs
19.5 $9,650 $2,000
Rothenberg: Broad Brook Greenway/Fitzgerald Lake
Land acquisition and soft costs
9 $11,198 $4,000
Szymanski: Saw Mill Hills*
Soft costs
1 $2,820 $1,670
Florence Conservation Area expansion*
Soft costs
1 $125 $5,000
Parcel D: Northampton State Hospital APR
Soft costs
36 $119 $72,000
Hewes: Rocky Hill Conservation Area
Soft costs
0.5 $225 $500
Reutener: Saw Mill Hills Conservation Area*
Soft costs
2 $2,475 $1,000
Three Dike Road parcels (Atwood closed): Historic Mill River
Greenway*
Soft costs
2 $6,840 $2,000
Hayssen: Brookwood Marsh Conservation Area 0.5 $150 $500
McKown: Broad Brook Greenway 4 $2,321 $1,000
Totals through October 2014 3,357*** $346,355 $502,832
NOTES:
Costs are approximate because some valuations are very difficult, especially when soft costs and/or bargain sales
leverages donations of all or part of the value of land. This is not a formal accounting of expenses, which is available in the
CPA spreadsheets)
*To avoid double-counting for projects with other CPA funding, this table assigns the acreage directly attributable to the
Conservation Fund investment or funding based on the Conservation Fund pro-rata share of the project. Given that the
Conservation Fund makes these projects possible, we could claim a much higher credit
**CPA-required conservation restrictions as a result of DOR withdrawing their opinion letter are charged here, not to
specifically funded CPA projects, which significantly increased the cost per acre.
***This does not include projects funded as separate CPA projects outside of the Conservation Fund.