1967-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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CONSERVATION COMMISSION of the purchase cost. Application is made for fifty percent federal aid on each of the intended open -space purchases. In cases where both federal and state aid are received (two so far: Swenson Farm and Church land) the financial aid can total seventy -five percent. (See part two of the 1966 town report for excerpts from federal and state law pertaining to conditions on such grants). If no federal aid on a project is received, and the present shortage of fed- eral funds is expected to affect Lexington this way at some time, state approval will still yield a total of fifty percent aid. It is emphasized that the town still retains full control over the land, subject only to the conditions to which it agrees before accepting any grant. These conditions act to protect the open space from being usurped for some other originally unintended use without full con- sideration by town, state and federal governments. The commission feels that the positive value of these safeguards outweighs the slight loss of full flexibility in future use. Final federal approval of the Church land application led to the filing of final papers; $8,000 is expected early in 1968. The town meeting approved three acquisition projects and rejected one. (1) Additional funds were voted for the Redcoat - Hathaway land, based on additional appraisals received and upon results of additional negotiations. The previous town meeting had voted less than the requested funds, and had asked for the additional actions as a condition for consideration of any additional funds. (2) Additional funds were voted for purchase of the approximately thirty - two acres remaining unpurchased from the Whipple Hill authorization of March 1966. The selectmen provided basic appraisal data on which the town meeting based its decision. (3) Six acres adjoining Willards Woods and adjoining the five acre previous Harrison conservation purchase were funded and approved for purchase. (4) The purchase of eight acres of lowland near Grove Street and Route 128 was rejected by the town meeting. Conservation Commission L to R. — Stanley A. Brown, Paul Mazerall, Aiden L. Ripley, Leslie H. York, Mrs. Georgette Sampson, Jules P. Sussman, Chairman; Francis W.K. Smith 26