Williamstown Con Comm Recommends Conservation Restriction

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Conservation Commission on Thursday endorsed a proposed conservation restriction on a 7-acre lot on Luce Road.

 

Owners Bruce and Judy Grinnell of North Adams were before the commission to seek its blessing for a CR to be managed by Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation.

 

The foundation's Dan Gura explained the reasons for the conservation restriction to the commissioners.

 

"This piece of land is largely agricultural," explained Gura, who serves as land protection coordinator at WRLF. "In terms of why we're protecting it, we identified some conservation values: open space protection, high quality soils, habitat connectivity, farmland currently in use and scenic views."

 

The lot in question has been farmed by the Chenail family since 1916, Gura told the commissioners.

 

It also abuts other currently conserved parcels and the Mount Greylock State Reservation managed by the commonwealth's Department of Conservation and Recreation.

 

"The hedge rows along [the Grinnell property] provide corridors that wildlife can use as they migrate through the area," Gura said.