HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission Cover Letter for CPA Letter of Support - Cotuit Highground February 13, 2025
Fat Piu (Tom) Lee, Chair
Town of Barnstable, Conservation Commission
203 South Street,
Hyannis, MA 02601
RE: REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT
COTUIT HIGHGROUND LAND PROTECTION PROJECT
Dear Commission Chair Lee,
On behalf of the Barnstable Land Trust. Inc. (BLT), we respectfully ask that the Conservation
Commission review the attached information on the Cotuit Highground Land Protection Project at
their March 4, 2025 meeting. The Cotuit Highground Land Protection Project includes the
purchase of the 10.6 acre of Highground Golf Course at 30 and 31 Crockers Neck Road in the
village of Cotuit (Assessors Map 020, Parcels 093/001 and 097). Cotuit Highground is a popular
recreation area, and local gathering spot for the community. The property includes the 9.6-acre
golf course with a clubhouse in an old 1800’s farmhouse and a 1-acre parcel across the road
providing parking. The property is a popular gathering space for the local community and visitors,
in winter for sledding and otherwise for golf.
BLT and the Heher family have reached an agreement for the purchase of the property with a
short-term lease back of the property for golf use. As required under the CPA, the Town of
Barnstable will hold a conservation restriction on 10.3 acres of the property (excluding the
clubhouse area). Barnstable Land Trust seeks $1,350,000 in Community Preservation Act funds
in support of the appraised fair market value acquisition of the property, with the remaining 50%
of the acquisition cost, plus project costs, being raised through BLT’s private fundraising.
We appreciate your consideration of providing a letter in support of the Community Preservation
Act funding for the project and approval of the conservation restriction, subject to approval by the
Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, who may make minor revisions
thereto. Assistant Town Attorney Kate Connolly has reviewed the CR as written.
We look forward to answering any questions you may have. If you require any additional
information in advance of your March 4th meeting, please contact me at janet@blt.org or 508-
771-2585 x 101.
Sincerely
Janet Milkman
Executive Director
cc. Lindsey Counsell, CPC Chair
Ed Hoopes, Interim Conservation Administrator