[Massplanners] conservation funds

[Holly Jones]

Just a thought for Dover, the ConCom can purchase land without the approval of town meeting (with only BoS or equivalent approval) so putting your funds as a concom account might be the most responsive way to go. This is referred to as a Conservation Fund. " Money going into the Conservation Fund must be specifically appropriated or transferred to that fund by a majority vote of the town meeting or city council. Private gifts require only the selectboard or mayor's approval, and borrowed money requires a two-thirds vote." [ https://www.murthalaw.com/files/conservationcommissions_authority_kconnolly_macc910_09.pdf | https://www.murthalaw.com/files/conservationcommissions_authority_kconnolly_macc910_09.pdf ] 
In Norwood 10k is allocated annually into the Conservation Fund from town meeting so that the money will eventually build up and be available for smaller properties or as match for grants. (we do have the CPA as well). While the BoS wouldn't directly control such moneys, purchases by the ConCom would have to be approved by the BoS so they would still exercise some control and discretion. 

Holly Jones 
Conservation Agent & Environmental Planner 
Town of Norwood, MA 
(781) 762-1240 x 6065 (office) 
781-320-2687 (cell) 
hjones at norwoodma.gov 


From: "massplanners" <massplanners at masscptc.org> 
To: "massplanners" <massplanners at masscptc.org> 
Cc: "Chris Dwelley" <cdwelley at doverma.gov> 
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2022 12:58:06 PM 
Subject: [Massplanners] conservation funds 

Hi Fellow Planners, 

The Dover BOS is interested in how other communities fund open space acquisitions -- particularly in those communities that have not yet adopted CPA. However, the town is frequently approached by landowners looking to sell CRs or land in fee simple and they would like to establish a fund to be more easily responsive to those requests that align with local conservation goals. As funds without funding sources tend to be unsuccessful, I'm interested to hear what other folks have tried. 

Thank you, 

Courtney Starling, AICP 
Land Use Director 
Town of Dover 
5 Springdale Avenue 
Dover, MA 02030 
T: (508)785-0032 x240 
F: (508)785-8114 



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