HomeMy WebLinkAbout1. OSC Cover Letter for CPA Letter of Support
September 2, 2025
Lev Malakhoff, Chair
Town of Barnstable, Open Space Committee
367 Main Street,
Hyannis, MA 02601
RE: REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF SUPPORT
MILL POND PRESERVE LAND PROTECTION PROJECT (Map/Lot: 058/012), and
WOODLAND BOG LAND PROTECTION PROJECT (Map/Lot: 079/019)
Dear Lev,
On behalf of the Barnstable Land Trust. Inc. (BLT), we respectfully ask that the Open Space
Committee review the attached information and consider providing letters in support of the
Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding requests and Conservation Restrictions for the
following important land protection projects:
Woodland Bogs Land Protection Project
The Woodland Bogs is a 25.74-acre retired cranberry bog property at 301 Parker Road in West
Barnstable. The project will permanently protect a key parcel connecting two extensive open
space areas, Spruce Pond Conservation Area to the southeast and Bridge Creek Conservation
Area to the northwest. Existing bog paths will provide excellent opportunities for passive
recreation and enjoying panoramic scenic vistas. Barnstable Land Trust has an agreement with
the current property owner for the purchase of the property and seeks $307,500 in CPA funding
in support of the project. As required under the CPA, the Town of Barnstable will hold a
conservation restriction on the 25.74-acre property. The remaining 50% of the acquisition cost,
plus project costs, are being raised through BLT’s private fundraising.
Mill Pond Preserve Land Protection Project
The Mill Pond Preserve is a 13-acre pond front property at 3640 Falmouth Road in Marstons Mills.
The project will permanently protect a significant area of ecologically important pond-front
property serving as a scenic wildlife refuge and protecting an active herring run for fish migrating
upstream to spawn in Middle Pond. The Mill Pond Preserve connects to extensive existing open
space areas and will provide connections to the existing trail network. Barnstable Land Trust
reached an agreement with the property owner for the purchase of the property and seeks
$600,000 in CPA funding in support of the project. As required under the CPA, the Town of
Barnstable will hold a conservation restriction on the 13-acre property, with the remaining 50% of
the acquisition cost, plus project costs, being raised through BLT’s private fundraising and a
possible state Conservation Partnership Grant.
We appreciate your consideration of providing letters in support of the Community Preservation
Act funding requests for these two important projects and approval of the Conservation
Restrictions, subject to review by the Town Attorney and approval by the Massachusetts
Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, who may make minor revisions thereto.
We look forward to answering any questions you may have. If you require any additional
information in advance of your September 8th meeting, please contact me at kgrant@blt.org or
508-771-2585 x 105.
Sincerely
Kelly Grant
Director of Land Conservation
cc.
Lindsey Counsell, CPC Chair,
Thomas LaRosa, Assistant Town Attorney
Genna Ziino, Open Space Committee Administrative Assistant