I received an email from a reader about efforts to preserve the Cornell Farm on Smith Neck. I thought I would pass it on to you. This is a beautiful property and a treausre that is well worth saving.
The DNRT's publication "MILESTONES" is out and the front page describes the Cornell Farm deal. According to the publication " the Cornell farm features 15 acres of agricultural fields and over 110 acres of woodlands, forested wetlands and salt marsh." "The Trustees of Reservations recently entered into an agreement that allows them until September 2008 to commit to a purchase of the property for $2million in Jan 2009." ... more below
..."DNRT and The Trustees are seeking funding for the $2,120,000 project from a variety of public sources. The partnership has applied for a $689,000 grant provided through the federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act and will seek $750,000 from the Dartmouth Community Preservation Fund. The goal is to raise gifts and pledges for the remaining $681,000 from foundations and individual donors by this fall."
"The Trustees plan to have a network of nature trails open to the public as well as a sustainable farming operation that supports agriculture in Dartmouth and provides opportunities to educate youth about farming."
If you are interested in pledging funds for this or other conservation work, you can find the Dartmouth Nartural Resources Trust (DNRT) at this website or by mail at Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust,PO Box P17, 404 Elm Street,Dartmouth, MA 02748
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8 comments:
1. How much land does the DNRT own in Dartmouth?
2.What is the assessed value of that land?
3. How much in taxes has the Town lost due to this land being in the DNRT possession?
4.How much money has the DNRT been given for land acquisition by the CPC/Town?
5.What has the DNRT given back to the Town in lieu of taxes?
I say no more tax money for PRIVATE organizations to acquire anything until an agreement for payment in lieu of taxes is made. Take the value of the land, figure out what the tax would have been, get a percentage of say, 25%, and have them donate that amount of money to badly needed services such as libraries and schools.
From the DNRT website, an excerpt on why dontaing land to them is a benefit to the town:
...help keep taxes low (“Cows don’t go to school”)
Is'nt that nice.
The lands held by DNRT are preserved to provide open space and wildlife habitat. They hold over 4,000 acres in reserves and restrictions in the town. While it is indeed an impediment to developing these lands, I'm glad every bit of land in town is not covered with homes and lawns. DNRT lands are also open to the public.
I believe that they are correct that most residences cost the town more in services and infrastructure than they provide in tax revenue.
That argument aside, having access to and preservation of parts of the Paskamansett and Little River basins and other areas of the town is, as the teevee commercial says, "priceless".
How much money is in the CPC account?
If I am reading the CPC financials correctly, as of 6/30/08, there is $238,335 in the community housing fund reserve, $307,322 in historic preservation reserve, $357,935 in open space fund reserve, $158,051 reserved for debt, $1,532,418 in unreserved community preservation fund balance. Looks like about $2,594,061 total to me plus whatever they get in revenue for fy09 and minus $350,975 for principal and interest debt in '09.
I believe that preserving open space saves the town money in the long run. I also would refer to the survey that the Planning Board did a few years back when they began working on the Master Plan. The people of Dartmouth overwhelmingly felt that preserving the agricultural and rural character of Dartmouth was a top priority.
Thanks Wally.
As far as the DNRT being a private organization, their properties are open to the public. Unlike Round Hill Beach, you can even take sunset walks on them.
1. How much money has the town saved do to the preservation of land vs. more development?
2. Town properties/developed areas are not open to the public 24/7. DNRT properties are.
3. There are no fees for using DNRT property.
4. The bulk of the money used to purchase DNRT properties comes from private donations. What a deal for the residents of Dartmouth! We have the use of these precious areas while someone else pays for most of it.
5. Preserved lands equals less development which in turn equals less of a burden on the school system, less wear & tear on our infrastructure, less services required.
All in all I think preserving open space is one of the best things we can do as a town. Bringing in more tax revenue via development is short lived and a misconstrued theory. We have to consider what this development actually costs the town down the road.
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