Please Vote Yes on May 2nd Town Meeting Article 37

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT – PURCHASE CONSERVATION RESTRICTION at the SPRUCE WOODS PROJECT
also known as the SIX PONDS GREAT WOODS PROJECT

ARTICLE 37: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Conservation Commission, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to acquire by gift or purchase for water quality protection, conservation and passive recreation purposes pursuant to G.L. c. 40, §8C and G.L. c. 44B, a conservation restriction pursuant to G.L. c 184, §§31-33 on approximately 75 acres of undeveloped land off of Spruce Road, located within the Six Ponds District of Critical Planning Concern (DCPC), further described in the Town of Harwich/Real Estate and Open Space Committee’s application to the Community Preservation Committee entitled Spruce Woods Project dated September 22, 2021, a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk; and to appropriate $604,486 from the FY2021 Certified Open Space Reserves, $210,000 from the FY2023 Anticipated Revenues, and $135,514.00 from FY2021 Certified Undesignated Fund Balance, for a total appropriation of $950,000 to fund said acquisition; provided that any funds left unspent from this Article are to be returned to the Community Preservation Act Fund – Open Space Reserves; and further, to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission to enter into all agreements and execute any and all instruments as may be necessary or convenient on behalf of the Town to effect said acquisition; and to act fully thereon. By request of the Community Preservation Committee and the Open Space Committee. Estimated Cost: $950,000.

Finance Committee recommends this article be accepted and adopted. Vote: YES-6, NO-0, ABSTAIN-1

Select Board recommends this article be accepted and adopted. Vote: YES-5, NO-0

Community Preservation Act funds are a dedicated source of funds that don’t compete with funding for other important town budget items like schools, road work, fire and safety, or other town services. Please see opposite page for more about the Six Ponds Great Woods Project.

The Town Real Estate & Open Space Committee, Select Board, and Community Preservation Committee unanimously support this Town Meeting Article 37.