 Article 14: Care/Custody 2 lots to ConCom from 8/30 minutes Betsy Hall, Open Space Committee & Conservation Commission, presented Article 14. Last year Town Meeting approved the conveyance of 10 tax title properties, totaling 116 acres, to the Conservation Committee. These properties, named Long Duck Pond Preserve are located north of exit 2 and south of exit 3, bounded by Bourne Rd., Long Pond Rd., Rd., and Lunn’s Way.

This year the Open Space Committee and the Conservation Commission are recommending that an additional parcel of 15.99 acres be added to the Long Duck Pond Preserve and conveyed to the Conservation Commission. The conveyance of this parcel to Conservation Status will aid in protecting Zone II of The Ponds of Plymouth Well Site. It will limit the number of additional septic systems in the watershed for Little and Great Herring Ponds as well as the watershed for and (as well as other smaller ponds). This parcel is within a state-designated Natural Heritage Priority Habitat. It provides homes and food for wildlife. Crisscrossing trails create an area for passive recreational use while securing rare and endangered species habitat through the enhancement of a wildlife corridor along Bourne Rd. (Parcel 114-000-023-000 15.99 acres off Long Pond Road). The Open Space Committee and Conservation Commission voted unanimously in support.

The Open Space Committee and Conservation Committee are also recommending the transfer of one parcel of land at Priscilla Beach for the purpose of Resource Protection. (Parcel 044-006-030B-000 0.21 acres off Priscilla Beach Road). The Open Space Committee and Conservation Commission voted unanimously in support.

Do we need to conserve more natural open space in Plymouth? Absolutely. We also need additional tax revenue from light industrial and commercial businesses. We need quality jobs for our residents as well. We can accomplish this through Smart Growth, which includes protecting open space. Land in conservation preserves the character and beauty of our town while helping to attract new business. It safeguards our aquifer and limits traffic congestion. It increases our ability to attract visitors through eco- tourism. It protects the many plants, birds and animals that delight both residents and tourists.

The Open Space Committee was created by Town Meeting and charged with the mission of acting in “an advisory capacity to the planning board and the representative town meeting with respect to the preservation of natural open space….” Transferring these tax title properties to the Conservation Commission will support the following goals from the Plymouth Master Plan: • Control Sprawl: Sprawl is large-lot low density development that consumes open space. • Protect the Environment: Plymouth is a center of biodiversity and lies above the largest aquifer in MA. • Preserve Character: Plymouth’s diverse natural and built landscapes include historic sites, village settlements, rural landscapes, forests, coastline, ponds, streams, wetlands, and cranberry bogs. These landscapes define Plymouth’s character and must be preserved. • Encourage Economic Development: Economic development provides jobs for Plymouth residents and tax revenues to help pay for town services. • Balance Costs and Growth: Compact commercial and residential development costs less than sprawling development, both in terms of town service costs and impact on the land. • Improve Quality of Life: Residents want opportunities to live, work, and play in town and to enjoy Plymouth’s uniqueness. Patrick Farah, Planning Technician, and Malcolm McGregor, Planning Board, also assisted in answering questions: • Who owns the lot between the beach lot and the ramp? (H Helm) There is no known ownership of that property. • Will the beach lot be used by beach goers? (H Helm) It is small, only .21 acres, the town has owned it since 2010, we are looking to transfer it to the care and custody of the Conservation Commission for natural resource protection. • How much of that area is held for conservation? (R Jones) Not sure exactly. • How does acquiring these lots fit into a comprehensive plan? (K Canty) They both fit in the town’s Master Plan and support all the goals of that plan. • Is there a plan with a total desired or ideal conservation area for this town? (K Canty) The goal is to acquire as much in Zone 2 and 3 which are well protection areas, to continue to provide the citizens of Plymouth with clean drinking water. We also work to protect more land on the coastline because Plymouth has a large aquaculture industry and we need to work to protect the bay. The lot of Long Pond Road will allow us to conserve a large piece of open space which is more resilient that small spread out pieces found in subdivisions in that area. • Is there a cost associated with these transfers? (Steve Striar, resident) There is minimal cost to cover the legal conveyance. • Is there value to sell these lots to a developer instead? (Steve Striar, resident) The beach lot is not buildable. The lot off Long Pond Road is land locked. • What would the ramifications be if the beach lot was sold? (H Helm) The new owner could prevent people from using it. Conservation would like it for natural resource protection. • Everett Malaguti, Town Meeting Member, said that as chair of the Natural Resource Committee this lot has not been presented to them and he can not support this article, it would be better suited for private ownership like the adjacent lots. John Moody made a motion to recommend Article 14 to Town Meeting. Patrick O’Brien, second. Mike Lincoln commented that he supports Open Space but it would be nice if Advisory & Finance were given a specific open space plan or objective other than it feels good and we need it. The motion carried (11-1-0). Kevin Canty, opposed.