Conservation Fund Application 2017 round 2.pdfConservation 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. $50,000 is being requested
to fund soft costs related to permanent open space preservation, including
conservation restriction costs, hard costs under $10,000 per project, and hard costs
over $10,000 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: January, 2018 Estimated completion date: Autumn, 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: $50,000
CPA funding request: $50,000
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 100%
Applicant’s Signature: __________
Date Submitted: September 15, 2017________________
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,
leveraging for grants, as well as a source of funds for very time-sensitive acquisitions
that could otherwise be sold for other purposes has enabled the protection of many
acres that would not otherwise have been possible. Additionally, these funds are used
as necessary to place conservation restrictions on properties, as required by the CPA
enabling legislation. We try to implement low or no-cost solutions to placement of
restrictions wherever possible. These include utilizing Friends of Northampton Parks
and Recreation or other partners that do not charge a fee to hold restrictions on City-
owned property. In some cases, due to a property’s location outside a partners’ area of
interest, landowner requirements, or specialized restriction monitoring needs, we need
to use Kestrel Trust or another organization that requires an endowment to hold the
restriction. We are still able to maximize use of city funds by conducting many activities
for which an outside contractor would generally be required. This includes preparation
of restriction documents, boundary marking, and baseline documentation.
The CPA has generously funded the Conservation Fund eleven times, and these awards
have helped make protection of hundreds of acres of open space a reality. All of the
funding awards through 2017 except the final award have been closed out, and the
most recent award is nearly completely allocated to existing projects.
For most previous awards, the Committee had required that all hard-cost expenditures
in excess of $20,000 be approved prior to being finalized. For this application, as with
the last award, we are proposing to continue the reduction to the hard-cost approval
threshold to $10,000, in accordance with the most recent award. Additionally, we will
update the Committee on all hard-cost expenditures as soon as we are able to without
compromising negotiations. The Commission submits applications for dedicated CPA
funds for identified acquisition projects whenever it has enough lead-time to be able to
do so, but the Conservation Fund can be a critical source for hard-cost funding when
sellers motivation or other factors necessitate quick action so that a parcel is not lost.
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.
Conservation Fund CPA Application 3
Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive plan
and/or the Northampton Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan 2011-2018 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
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 grant or other funds
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.
Advances a Public Purpose
Permanent protection of open spaces for future recreational opportunities and
habitat is one of the key missions of the Conservation Commission and will have
an impact not only for current residents, but future generations.
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.
Conservation Fund CPA Application 4
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: $50,000
Due to the nature of property acquisitions, it is not possible to establish a project
timeline. 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. Some acquisitions require
preliminary surveys and title work prior to establishing a proce and agreeing to an offer.
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
engaging project partners, and drafting of conservation or agricultural preservation
restrictions.
Attachments:
Report of Conservation Fund Expenditures to-Date and Pending
Financial Contributions to Completed open Space Acquisitions from the CPA Conservation Fund
Through September, 2017
Project Name Acres conservation
fund share
Leveraged
descending order with most recent projects first
Kensington Estates' Mineral Hills, soft costs 52 $11,255 $230,000
Burts Bog (soft costs and due diligence) 115 $3,750 $450,000
Warner, Roberts Hill - Saw Mill Hills 17.9 $154 $25,000
Williams, Saw Mill Hills - soft and hard costs 20.7 $22,000 $65,000
Fierst, Mineral Hills - acquisition 31 $20,000 $105,000
Korza, North King Street - acquisition and soft
costs
55 $20,650 $35,000
Randall, Broad Brook Greenway 20 $5,115 $45,000
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 2* $2,227 $2,000
Zewski, Rocky Hill Greenway* Soft costs (closing
property tax and recording fees)
See entry below $979 See entry below
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
Zewski, Rocky Hill Greenway* Soft costs (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 12.1 $10,044 $3,000
Financial Contributions to Completed open Space Acquisitions from the CPA Conservation Fund
Through September, 2017
costs
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
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 0.1 $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 $1,846 $6,000
Financial Contributions to Completed open Space Acquisitions from the CPA Conservation Fund
Through September, 2017
Greenway Soft costs
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
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
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 CPA financial input from projects funded as standalone CPA projects outside of the
Conservation Fund.