HomeMy WebLinkAbout12132010 CONSERVATION EXECUTIVE SESSIONTown of Mansfield
Conservation Executive Session
December 13, 2010
Meeting opened at 6:00.
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Present: Colin Cauldwell, Chairman; Michele White, Vice Chairman; Paul Boyden; Carole Matthew;
Elizabeth Leidhold, Conservation and Environmental Planner.
Absent: Joseph Mulkern, Derek House and Jack Smith.
Motion: To enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition of Map 14,
Parcel 20 off South Main Street and to return to Open Session at the conclusion. (Paul Boyden/Michele
White).
Roll Call Vote: Colin Cauldwell, aye; Michele White, Vice Chairman, aye; Paul Boyden, aye; Carole
Matthew, aye.
Vote: 4 -0 -0 Passes
Leonard Flynn told the board in 1993 VAS Land Development offered a 1.3 acre parcel of land as a
gift to the Conservation Commission. The land is part of the Vickery Estates subdivision (Parcel 2,
Map 14, Parcel 22) on South Main Street. Mr. Flynn told the board Dick Lewis, the former
Conservation Agent, had sent all the information for the land to Town Council for review. Mr. Flynn
thought the gift of land had been accepted by the town at that time. After talking with Robert
Mangiaratti, former Town Council, he realized the information was never acted on. The parcel of land
was included in the official Town Open Space Map. Mr. Flynn told the board the Town Planner,
Shaun Burke, can verify VAS Corp. did in fact offer the land to the town.
The land - locked 1.3 acre parcel is nine hundred feet off South Main Street and abuts the subdivision
lots and conservation land.
Mr. Flynn told the board at one time there was a bridge across the Rumford River from this parcel to
the Taylor's Hill conservation land. He said it is important the town acquire this parcel of land for
future access to the Taylor's Hill land. He said by accepting the gift of land, no new development
would be possible. NRT would hold a Conservation Restriction on the land.
Mr. Flynn told the board approximately $3,400.00 in taxes are owed plus a per diem of $.67. He said
there would be legal costs and penalties, fees for the transfer of the property and town council fees to
review the transaction. He said the property has been in tax title since 1996. He said a title search is
probably not necessary because he has the deed to the property. He told the board the land will never
have a clear title.
Mr. Flynn said he would like a vote from the board to contact the Board of Selectmen, asking that they
accept the gift of land and waive the outstanding real estate taxes and penalties. The other option is to
do nothing, but if the town decides to take the land in the future, it would cost the town more because
of the unpaid taxes and penalties.
Colin Cauldwell asked that the Conservation Commission send a letter to the Selectmen inviting NRT
and the board to an Executive Session to discuss the gift of land. He suggested a motion be made in
support of Mr. Flynn's suggestion that the gift of lot 14 -20 off South Main Street be accepted and the
town waive the outstanding real estate taxes and penalties.
Carole Matthew made the motion to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen to discuss the acceptance
of Map 14 — Parcel 20 off South Main Street and to waive all outstanding taxes and penalties.
Paul Boyden seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 -0 -0.
Colin Cauldwell said if the land is accepted, the abutters would have to be notified by letter that the
land is now conservation land. He said the neighbors have been using the property as their own,
dumping yard waste, etc.
Mr. Flynn also asked about the Gilbert Street parcels that were accepted at the Town Meeting in May
2010. He said nothing has been done as far as deed searches. The board asked that the new town
council be notified about the Gilbert Street parcels so the restrictions can be placed on the parcels.
Motion: To adjourn Executive Session at 6:30 pm and resume open session. (Michele White /Carole
Matthew).
Roll Call Vote: Colin Cauldwell, Chairman, aye; Michele White, Vice Chairman, aye; Paul Boyden,
aye; Carole Matthew, aye.
Vote: 4 -0 -0 Passes
Colin Cauldwell,
R: \Conservation \Minutes \2010 \12132010 Executive Minutes.doc
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Date of Approval
Date of kelease