The Pascommuck Conservation Trust

Preserving our past. Protecting our future.

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2023 Annual Meeting

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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.

Board Members
PCT members
Marty Klein giving speech
Chainsaw lamp
John Bator with chainsaw lamp

PCT to address concerns regarding proposed Sierra Vista development project off Northampton Street

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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

John Bator steps down as President of PCT

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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.

  • John Bator steps down as President
  • John Bator steps down as President
  • John Bator steps down as President

Two bridges replaced at two PCT properties

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Bridges were recently replaced at both the Dwyer Conservation area as well as at Pomeroy Meadows Conservation area. The bridge at Dwyer consisted of mainly replacing the wooden bridge across the first major wetland are with another wooden bridge. However the bridge at Pomeroy Meadows consisted of switching out the wooden bridge with one consisting of aluminum girders as well as aluminum railings. Some of the rotted steps were also replaced on the stairs located after the bridge. Thanks to the work parties who managed the demolishing of the old bridges and the reconstruction of the new and improved ones.

  • Dwyer bridge repacement
  • Dwyer bridge replacment
  • Dwyer bridge replacement
  • Dwyer bridge replacement
  • Pomeroy bridge materials delivery
  • Pomeroy bridge materials delivery
  • Pomeroy bridge materials delivery
  • Pomeroy bridge materials delivery
  • Pomeroy bridge replacement
  • Pomeroy bridge replacement
  • Pomeroy bridge replacement
  • Pomeroy stair replacement
  • Pomeroy stair replacement
  • Pomeroy stair replacement

PCT present at Mount Tom North Trailhead Ribbon cutting ceremony on September 9th

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On Friday, September 9th, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially announce the opening of the Mount Tom North Trailhead Park. The ceremony was held at the very top of the park giving attendees a panoramic view of the pioneer valley. Speeches were give by Jeff Bagg Easthampton City planner, Mark Wamsley from Kestrel Land Trust, State Representative Daniel Carey, and Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. For a video of the days event click here.

  • Board members Michael Caron, Dianne McLane, Bill Burgart and Mary Lou Dodge
  • What was there before