The Pascommuck Conservation Trust
Preserving our past. Protecting our future.
Despite the rain and the cold weather a steady stream of people came out to buy plants and raffle tickets. Plant sales totaled $1,488 and raffle tickets sold was $376 for a total of $1,864. Thanks to all who came out to support the Trust!
Pascommuck Trust members Marty Klein and Gerrit Stover were featured in a Daily Hampshire Gazette article published on Monday March 13th. They both gave a detailed description of how the proposed project would have an environmental impact and propose an alternate plan that would balance the need for affordable housing and conservation. Here is a link to the full article.
The annual meeting held on March 7th at City Space was attended by around 40 people this year as well as some attending via Zoom. During the first half of the meeting Marty Klein, longtime board member, rose to give tribute to John Bator, who this year stepped down as president. After extolling all his efforts and accomplishments as President, John was presented with a chainsaw lamp fashioned by Kevin Mulligan, a longtime member and main land and trail maintenance person for the Trust. A YouTube video of the first half of the meeting can be accessed through this link.
The second half of the meeting was a presentation by Wayne Feiden, former long-time Northampton Director of Planning. The theme of his talk was “How Development and Conservation Can Coexist”. He gave many examples of developments that were revised after many meetings and discussions that led to more balanced development projects. The YouTube video of his presentation can be accessed through this link.
| To our PCT members and friends: You may know that a proposed multi-use development, “Sierra Vista Commons,” is under consideration by Easthampton’s Planning Board and Conservation Commission. This 30+ acre development starts at Route 10 and spreads back over farmland, wetlands and forest, down to the critical habitat of the Manhan River, a focus of our work for decades. Your PCT board is looking closely at the plans presented by the developer and offering alternative visions for how this land could be developed. We have some serious concerns about the impacts this commercial/residential project would have on our community at large and our precious natural resources. Our Dwyer Conservation Area and its trails are situated 400’ across the Manhan from the proposed development. Sierra Vista plans to construct dense housing coming downhill and ending in proximity to the river. Our mission is to protect Easthampton’s natural resources, and we worry about a loss of habitat along this unique corridor, used by wildlife to travel through the very heart of our city. The river, the rich fields, and the old trees that currently exist here are critical habitat for creatures large and small. Current plans would destroy or impact much of this land. Two and a half acres of trees plus many more acres of grade A farmland will be buried under pavement and imported topsoil. The two following links are maps of the proposed project and the environmental impact. Link to before and after maps of proposed project Link to map of environmental context |
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At the December 2022 board meeting John Bator officially stepped down as President of PCT. A motion was made to have Dianne McLane, the Vice President, to step into the President position which she accepted and the board also approved. A motion was also made to make John the Vice President which he accepted and was also approved by the board. Marty Klein, longtime board member gave a short speech and extolled the many accomplishments that John has made for the Trust and the city of Easthampton.
