Mineral Hills Baseline for Skibiski parcel
BASELINE DOCUMENTATION REPORT and LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant Program
Property name: Municipality: Acquisition date: May 31, 2011, see attachment A for entire Minera Book/page: Registry: LAND #: Date of report: Property location: Acreage: acres Interest
held by city/town: Other interest holders: 30 acres , 3 Fee Conservation Restriction Mineral Hills Conservation Area (Skibiski Parcel Land Grant) Northampton Book 10559 Page 138, see
attachment A for entire 15 May, 2011 Turkey Hill Road and Sylvester Road Hampshire
Table of Contents Section I: Property Information 1. Property description 2. LAND grant program regulations 3. Legal protection 4. Contact information 5. Land Use and Management Plan
(if fee owned by town) and/or Copy of Conservation Restriction (if CR) or Section II: Maps 1. Locus map 2. Resource map 3. Monitoring map Section III: Site Visit Report 1. General information
2. Current property conditions 3. Boundary conditions Section IV: Photographs 1. Photo location and route map 2. List of photographs 3. Photographs Section V: Amendments Section VI:
Signatures
Section I: Property Information
I.1.Property description The Mineral Hills -Skibiski property, located at Turkey Hill Road , Assessors’ map 34 lot 001 , is owned by subject to a Conservation Restriction held b the
Town/City of Northampton , under care and control of the Conservation Commission, for the purposes of conservation and passive recreation, in perpetuity. It was recorded on May 31, 2011
, book 10559 page 138 in the Hampshire Registry of Deeds. (Please see attachment A for a list of all parcels within the Mineral Hills Area, this document includes the entire Mineral
Hills, as well as the Skibiski LAND parcel) I.2.Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) grant program regulations This property is permanently protected open space, for conservation
and passive recreation only. It is subject to the standards and guidelines in 301 CMR 5.00: Self-Help and Urban Self-Help Programs, of the Division of Conservation Services, Executive
Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). Excerpted here are some of the major points: -5.06(4): Under the care and control of the City of Northampton Conservation Commission
-5.09(1): The property must be used at all times for open space conservation and passive recreation purposes only, in accordance with MGL Ch. 132A, Sec. 11 -5.09(1): The property is
permanently protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, and may not be converted to other uses. Municipalities must pursue all feasible alternatives to conversion of
grant-funded land. If conversion is finally determined to be the only possible choice, all of the following must occur: municipal approval of the conversion; a two-thirds majority vote
of both houses of the state legislature; replacement of the land with new conservation land that is of equal or greater fair market value at the time of conversion, and of equal or greater
acreage, ecological value, and usefulness, to be approved or disapproved by the Secretary of EEA. -5.09(2): If this property ceases to be used in whole or in part for conservation and/or
passive recreation purposes, all interest in the property shall revert to the Commonwealth, unless the Secretary demands specific performance of the grant contract. The City of Northampton
Conservation Commission must notify the Secretary of EEA of a change or potential change to an inconsistent use, or, the Secretary of EEA may notify the Conservation Commission that
an inconsistent change in use has occurred. The Conservation Commission has 90 days to rectify the use to the satisfaction of the Secretary, or it will revert to the Commonwealth. -5.08
(2) and (3): Open to use by all members of the public without discrimination -5.08(1): In accordance with the LAND program regulations, the City of Northampton Conservation Commission
may impose reasonable limits on the type
and extent of use of this area and facilities acquired, as necessary for maintenance or preservation. -5.06(1): Off-street parking may be required -No private enterprise may occur on
properties for which the fee simple or encumbered fee is owned by the municipality, except that which contributes to and does not conflict with appropriate public use and benefit. -Structures
are prohibited on properties for which the fee interest is owned by the municipality, except those that further conservation or public passive recreational use of the property. I.3.
Legal protection Through receipt of funding through the LAND grant program, this property is permanently protected under Article 97 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
-Ch. 132A, §11 – Act establishing the Self-Help (now LAND) grant program -Ch. 40, §8c – Authority of conservation commissions to hold land for conservation purposes -Article 97 – Prohibits
conversion of the property from conservation and recreational use -LAND Project Agreement – Prohibits conversion of the property from conservation and recreational uses. Requires mitigation
in the event of conversion. Requires appropriate public access. Recorded with deed. I.4.Contact Information Provide contact information for property monitor or manager, landowner (if
CR), and any other people or organizations involved in the property. Name (person or organization) Title (eg. property monitor) Mailing address Phone Wayne Feiden, FAICP Director, Planning
and Development, City of Northampton 210 Main Street, Room 11, Northampton MA 01060 413-587-1265 Sarah LaValley Conservation Planner 210 Main Street, Room 11, Northampton MA 01060 413-587-1263
I.5. Conservation Restriction and Land Management Plan 5(a) If the Property is a CR: insert a copy of the recorded Restriction here and fill out the Management Plan section below.
5(b) If the Property is owned in fee: fill out the Management Plan section below. Land Management Plan: Purpose: Property Uses: Note: These should be posted at the property entrance(s).
Permitted Uses: Prohibited Uses: Structures: Known stewardship issues: Stewardship plans: Illegal dumping, partying and fires, hunting, use of motorized vehicles, lack of connecting
trail system, trail erosion, spread of invasive species, abandoned rock quarry. access easement exists, as shown on Attachment B, survey plan, agriculture by license on field at eastern
property boundary with Sylvester Road None Fires, dumping, hunting and trapping, motorized vehicles, alcoholic beverages; and collecting, cutting, camping and entry after dark without
written permission Passive recreation and conservation purposes Uses consistent with the most current Conservation Commission’s Land Use Regulations, which are subject to revision. Landscape
conservation, biodiversity and resource protection, water resources protection, habitat conservation, preservation of vistas, passive recreation and creation of a recreational trail
system
Active Management Plans: Forest Management Plan – Mineral Hills Conservation Area. May 24, 2010. Forestry activities might be allowed in accordance with this plan if approved by the
Conservation Commission. Mineral Hills Conservation Area Land Use and Management Plan – May 2007 Increased signage of property, boundary marking, placement of boulders to block vehicular
access if possible, invasive species removal, trail clearing, re-routing, and connecting, installation of a boardwalk to provide trail access from the Sylvester Road parking area, continued
agriculture on designated field
Section II: Maps
II.1. Locus map
II.2. Resource map Please see attached Natural Resources and Monitoring Map
II.6. Monitoring map Please see attached Natural Resources and Monitoring Map Please also refer to Attachment B, Survey, for property markings
Section III: Site Visit Report
III.1. General information Date of inspection: April 6, 2011 Time spent on property: 5 hours Who was present on the site visit? What is their association with the property? Sarah LaValley,
Agent to the Conservation Commission, Mark Carmien, Friends of Mineral Hills Conservation Area, Michael Mauri, Stewardship Plan Forester
III.2. Current property conditions Note: This section may summarize some provisions of the CR or Management Plan. The entire CR document must be read in order to understand its terms.
A. Conditions of the property relevant to the purposes of the CR or Management Plan: Purpose Condition Photo Landscape conservation The majority of the property remains in a natural
state, with the exception of the abandoned quarry. Logging has occurred historically, but is not readily visible. G Biodiversity and resource protection The 2007 Management Plan provides
an overview of the species present on the site. A diversity of terrain, forest types, and wetlands, provides for flora and fauna not common in other parts of Northampton. Invasive species
were identified as a problem in the Stewardhip Plan, and include bittersweet and multiflora rose. D, K Habitat conservation There is one certified vernal pool on the property – near
the quarry. Several pvp exist, and should be evaluated for certification for awareness purposes. The abandoned beaver pond serves an excellent bird habitat, but will require maintenance
to remain so. The 2007 Management Plan provides a list of different habitat types. F, K, T Preservation of vistas Several prominent vistas are present along hilltops within the Mineral
Hills, but . This can be done in accordance with the Stewardship plan, and could also create habitat B Passive recreation – creation of a recreational trail system Lack of a connecting
trail system limits recreational potential of the Area. Current trails include former logging roads and small footpaths. Trail connections are being created, and trails standardized
to 4’ wide 8’ high, and re-routing is being done to avoid wetland areas and sensitive sites and avoid erosion-prone areas. A boardwalk is being installed to access the Area from Turkey
Hill Road. C,H, I, O, R B. Conditions of the property relevant to Permitted and Prohibited Uses: Activity Condition Date built/changed Photo Permitted Hiking on trails The property was
acquired from a number of owners, and does not have a connecting trail system. Existing trails, and plans for trail work are shown on the monitoring map. Informal preexisting trails
and roadways will be connected beginning in summer 2011, and boardwalks installed near Sylvester Road parking area C, I, Q, R Agriculture Haying of the field at the eastern boundary
near Q
Sylvester Road is performed under a license from the Conservation Commission Prohibited Fires, alcoholic beverages, camping, entry after dark The Mineral Hills Area has been used as
a party spot. Problem areas fluctuate, but include Turkey Hill Road near the Westhampton line,and photo A as shown on the photo location map Historic A Motorized vehicles ATV and dirtbike
use is seen around the quarry and its trails, and sometimes in the trail network north of the homes on Turkey Hill Road. ATVs and larger 4-wheel drive vehicles travel on Turkey Hill
Road (which will be discontinued following purchase of the Skibiski parcel). historic C, Q Dumping Dumping is seen around party spots, on occasion near the end of Turkey Hill Road (not
observed on this visit) and in the Sylvester Road parking area and the pull-off at the quarry trail historic M Fires, dumping, hunting and trapping, motorized vehicles, alcoholic beverages;
and collecting, cutting, camping and entry after dark without written permission C. List of prohibited uses for which there were no relevant observed conditions: No evidence of the following
activities was observed: D. Additional remarks regarding the present condition of the property: There are infestations of invasive species to various degrees within the property. Twenty
acres of damaging bittersweet are being removed in spring 2011 around the quarry – photos D and E, where the problem was especially severe. Two parking areas exist – the main lot at
Sylvester Road, and a small pull-off at the end of Turkey Hill Road -photos M and O, respectively. Hunting and trapping
III.3. Boundary Conditions A. Do the boundaries on the ground clearly correlate to the legal description found in the CR document or property deed (i.e. can you follow the boundary after
reading the description)? If not, how did you locate the property boundary? B. (If CR): Are portions of the property which are excluded from the Restriction marked or otherwise evident
on the ground? C. Describe the condition of the boundary markings at all other points (i.e. stone wall, flagged, signed, unmarked): D. Describe the use of abutting properties, focusing
on uses close to the boundary line: E. Any other comments on boundaries? Encroachments have occurred along the southern property boundary from neighboring homes, and have included tree
cutting, temporary structures, and motorized vehicle use. These were not present at the time of the site visit. Neighboring properties include residential uses; primarily detached single-family
homes. Other uses include logging and forestland. Boundary markings are referenced on Attachment B, survey plan. All boundaries are also marked in yellow. N/A Yes
Section IV: Photographs
5/26/20111 1 2 2.5 11
5/26/20112 11-12 12 13 14
5/26/20113 15 16 18 19
5/26/20114 20 21 22 23
5/26/20115 25 29 30 31
5/26/20116 31-32 32 33 34
5/26/20117 35 37 38 39 (1)
5/26/20118 39 (2) 40 41 (1) 41 (2)
5/26/20119 42 (1) 43 44 45
5/26/2011 10 45-46 46 48 49
5/26/2011 11 50 50-51 51 52
5/26/2011 12 53 S A B
5/26/2011 13 C D E F
5/26/2011 14 G H I J
5/26/2011 15 K L M N
5/26/2011 16 O P Q R
5/26/2011 17 S
IV.1. Photo location map Survey Plan indicates location of property boundary photos The photo location map shows the location from which documentary photographs were taken.
TURKEY SYLVESTER ROAD HILL ROAD WESTHAMPTON NORTHAMPTON WESTHAMPTON NORTHAMPTON TURKEY HILL ROAD 46 45 47 48 49 51 2.5 2 53 1 3 10 12 13 14 45 6 8 9 7 33 34 35 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 22
23 24 25 16 1718 20 19 21 15 36 37 38 39 40 41 4243 44 11 50 52 NORTHEAST SURVEY CONSULTANTS 116 PLEASANT ST. SUITE 302 P.O. BOX 109 EASTHAMPTON, MA 01027 (413) 203-5144 REFERENCE PLAN
NORTHAMPTON, MA MINERAL HILLS PREPARED FOR THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON 1 1 45678911 15 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 52 LM K I J QG O C D E B N S R P A
IV.2. List of documentary photographs Photographer(s): Property Boundary Photographs Missing Numbers Indicate Missing Markers Date Photo # Location description (where the photographer
was standing) Cardinal direction Description of photo subject 5/18/11 1 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 2 See survey plan N/A Property marker
corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 2.5 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 11 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan
5/13/11 11-12 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 12 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 13 See survey plan
N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 14 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 15 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding
to survey plan 5/18/11 16 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 18 See See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 19
See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 20 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 21 See survey plan N/A Property marker
corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 22 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 23 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/18/11
25 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/18/11 29 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 5/18/11 30 See survey plan N/A Property
marker corresponding to survey plan 4/18/11 31 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/18/11 32 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey
plan 4/18/11 33 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/18/11 34 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/18/11 35 See survey plan
N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/18/11 37 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/18/11 38 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding
to survey plan 4/18/11 39 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/18/11 40 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan Property Boundaries:
Brian Franetovich, Northeast Surveys Photos R and S: Mark Carmien All others: Sarah LaValley, Conservation Agent
Date Photo # Location description (where the photographer was standing) Cardinal direction Description of photo subject 4/18/11 41 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to
survey plan 4/21/11 42 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/21/11 43 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/21/11 44 See survey
plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/21/11 45 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/21/11 45/46 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding
to survey plan 4/21/11 48 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/21/11 49 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/21/11 50 See
survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/21/11 50-51 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to survey plan 4/21/11 51 See survey plan N/A Property marker
corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 52 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding corresponding to survey plan 5/13/11 53 See survey plan N/A Property marker corresponding to
survey plan
Date Photo # Location description (where the photographer was standing) Cardinal direction Description of photo subject 4/6/11 A Southwest of property marker 12 W Prohibited Use – Party
Spot 4/6/11 B Interior of property – south of pin 34 at former property corner E Viewshed -View of Sawmill Hills 4/6/11 C Interior of property, east of quarry and just west of wetlands
complex N Prohibited Use – all terrain vehicle damage and problem spot – trail damage 4/6/11 D Interior of property, NE of quarry near stream SW Invasive Species – Oriental Bittersweet
4/6/11 E Interior of property, NE of quarry near stream SW Invasive Species – Oriental Bittersweet 4/6/11 F Interior of property – east of quarry along trail from TH Rd SE Looking into
abandoned beaver pond, bird habitat neighbor’s home visible beyond wetland 4/6/11 G Interior of property – along trail leading around the quarry NW Abandoned quarry 4/6/11 H Interior
of property – NE of Quarry along trail from TH Rd at stream intersection SE Trail erosion and flooding at intersection of trail and stream 4/6/11 I North property boundary, along trail,
between corner points 37 and 38 on survey plan S Looking into property from boundary 4/6/11 J Interior of property – South of corner point S Looking into former cedar grove, cedar logs
seen on floor 4/6/11 K Interior of property – west of corner point 21 on survey plan SE Looking into wetlands complex along stream 4/6/11 L Eastern property boundary at Sylvester Road,
just south of reciprocal drainage easement, as shown on survey plan W Looking into property, old cellar hole 4/6/11 M Eastern property boundary at Sylvester Road, south of reciprocal
drainage easement, as shown on survey plan SW Turkey Hill Road Parking Area – prohibited activity: dumping, plaque to property donor 5/25/11 N Southern edge of property, just east of
corner point 10 as shown on survey plan NE Looking into property from grassed area near Turkey Hill Road – plaque to property donor 5/25/11 O Southern edge of property at Turkey Hill
Road, near point point L13 as shown on survey plan N Looking into property from small pull-off area on Turkey Hill Road. Trail to quarry is shown 5/25/11 P Eastern property boundary
at Sylvester Road, between points 25 and 26 as shown on survey plan W Looking into property from Turkey Hill Road into hayfield, neighbor’s house visible 5/25/11 Q NE of point 51 as
shown on survey plan at Turkey Hill Road W Looking west along dirt portion of Turkey Hill Road from small pull-off area. Unauthorized vehicle access point 4/14/11 R Interior of parcel,
just west of S Stream crossing, former logging road on ‘Kohl
boundary with parcel 34-019, south of point 12 as shown on survey plan parcel’ 4/14/11 S Southern edge of property at Turkey Brook, north of point L7 as shown on survey plan W Turkey
Brook on former Kohl parcel IV.3. Documentary Photographs
Section V: Amendments
V. 1. How to amend this document This property is permanently protected as open space for conservation and passive recreational use only. Forever is a long time, and it is difficult
to anticipate all potential changes to the property that may occur that may make it more or less appropriate for specific activities or uses. For this reason, it may become necessary
in the future for portions of the Land Management Plan to be revised. The following sections of this document may be changed: I.4. Contact information I.5. Land Management Plan sections:
Permitted uses/activities Prohibited uses/activities Structures Stewardship plans Active management plans Any changes to these sections must still adhere to the LAND grant program regulations,
Project Agreement, Article 97 requirements, and any other pertinent Massachusetts regulations. All changes must adhere to the terms of the Conservation Restriction, if applicable. Procedure
for amending this document: Majority vote of the Conservation Commission.
Section VI: Signatures
I certify that the above Baseline Documentation Report and Land Management Plan is accurate and complete. I understand that this property is permanently protected open space under Article
97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, for conservation and passive recreation uses, under the care and control of the Conservation Commission. The property may not be sold, subdivided,
altered, or used for any other purposes, except by securing all of the following: approval of the Conservation Commission; approval of the municipality by town meeting/city council vote;
approval by both houses of the Massachusetts State Legislature; approval by the Governor of Massachusetts; mitigation by replacement with an unprotected property of equal or greater
size, value at the time of disposition, ecological value, and passive recreational value, subject to approval by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Additionally, any
change in use must adhere to all relevant environmental laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act and Endangered Species Protection
Act, the Wetlands Protection Act, the Rivers Protection Act, and Global Warming Solutions Act. ________________________________________________________________________ Preparer Print
name ________________________________________________________________________ Municipal Chief Executive Officer Print name ________________________________________________________________________
Conservation Commissioner Print name ________________________________________________________________________ Conservation Commissioner Print name ____________________________________________________
____________________ Conservation Commissioner Print name ________________________________________________________________________ Conservation Commissioner Print name _______________________________
_________________________________________ Conservation Commissioner Print name ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Print
name ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Print name ________________________________________________________________________
Print name ______________________________________ Date
Vehicles currently (2011) allowed in this area. Planned prohibition of vehicles starting 2012. 1732 1721 876 TURKEY HILL RD SYLVESTER RD RYAN RD WEST FARMS RD Mineral Hills Resource
and Monitoring Map 0 500 250 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 Feet Legend vantage point NHESP Certified Vernal Pools possible trail cellar hole NHESP Estimated Habitats of Rare Wildlife NHESP
Priority Habitats of Rare Species BioMap2 Core Habitat BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape openspace
SECTION 5: CONSERVATION & RECREATION INVENTORY | 79 Mineral Hills Conservation Area and CR 326.6 acres Ownership: City/Conservation Commission Conservation Restriction: Private land,
CR Joint Northampton and Westhampton Location: West side Sylvester Rd, north side Turkey Hill, north & south side CR: Turkey Hill Road on Westhampton side of town line Acquisition history:
Date Book, page or other Description Acres 10/12/1994 B4570, p97 LaPalme, bargain sale, City & neighborhood donations 85 4/7/1994 Title Insurance Policy Filed w/City Clerk 11/13/1995
Named Mineral Hills Conservation Area as requested by LaPalme 9/30/1994 PB177, p164 & 167 Sylvester Rd B4570, p102 Right-of-way to building lots 12/27/1994 B4607, p172 APR Drainage &
utility easements of record 12/11/2003 B7616, p95 Turkey Hill, donation 16.1 PB198, p23 Survey of Mineral Hills Disclosures fi led DSPO PB211, p12 Survey for Turkey Hill Rd parcel south
of Turkey Hill 1/12/2007 B9009, p36 Turkey Hill $685,000 (Self-help, City, Wharton Trust, Highland Highland Communities Initiative, & $200,000 in community fundraising) 120 First American
Title Insurance Company 102758222 B9013, p31 Walking easement between Turkey Hill section & LaPalme section B9013, p35 Mortgage subordinations Authorization in City Council resolution
recorded w/Turkey Hill section 12/26/2006 B8990, p33 CR in Westhampton-joint ownership Westhampton (primary enforcer) and Northampton (backup role) 29.4 PB147, p58 Plans--CR and Turkey
Hill 2/9/2009 B9700, p64 Turkey Hill Rd, Bosworth purchase 15 5/9/2008 PB218, p38 Kohl survey purchase 6/4/2008 Warranty Deed, B9503, p293 Purchase, self-help & CPA ($900,000) 60.6 fee
plus 11.53 CR B9503, p296 Self-help agreement Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance Kohl addition, 106544301 7/18/2008 B9547, p40 Wilhelm/Mineral Hills Trust 15.1 3/10/2009 PB220, p46 Survey
of all of Mineral Hills
80 | 5.1: Permanently Protected Date Book, page or other Description Acres Skibiski purchase, Turkey Hill Road 30 Date Permit Description Special permit for reduction of frontage for
building lots, B4570, p93 Sylvester Rd driveway Wetlands Permit, B4570, p87 Description: A diverse piece of conservation property consisting of wooded uplands, wetlands, and a small
fi eld in active agriculture. A small parking lot is on the Sylvester Road side of the parcel. Th e Mineral Hills Conservation Area is one of Northampton’s natural resource gems. Th
e undeveloped, contiguous woodland contains numerous important habitat areas, supports a wide diversity of wildlife species and provides a variety of recreation opportunities for the
citizens of Northampton. Furthermore, the natural amenities in this area have attracted and inspired many past and present and have become a part of the City of Northampton’s cultural
fabric. Famous writer and Northampton native Brian Kitely aptly captures the spirit of the conservation land land in his journal 1852: Th e Sage of Mineral Hill: …Northampton below from
Mineral Hill is as remote as the Northwest Passage. We live on what we fi nd, the dog and me-service berries in June, tart strawberries, carrots that taste of metal. What is any man’s
discourse to me, if I am not sensible of something in it as steady and cheery as the creak of crickets? In it the woods must be relieved against the sky. Men tire me when I am not constantly
greeted and refreshed as by the fl ux of sparkling streams. Surely joy is the condition of life. By maintaining the quality of the conservation land and habitat, especially the forested
uplands, wetlands, and vernal pools, the City of Northampton is preserving a piece of the natural heritage of the Pioneer Valley and helping to protect a relatively undisturbed complex
ecosystem in the foothills of the Berkshires. And, by providing and encouraging outdoor recreational opportunities, the City of Northampton is
actively promoting the link between parks and recreation recreation and improved mental, physical and societal health of individuals and the community. Any property acquired with LAND
Grant funds is open for us by all citizens of the Commonwealth, and that no major alteration of this property, or changes in the proposed uses can take place without the prior approval
of the secretary of the Executive Offi ce of Energy and Environmental Aff airs, and possibly the General Court. Th erefore, the Mineral Hills Conservation Area will be permanently protected
against conversion to another use, or disposal by the city through: Th e covenants entered into by the City as conditions of the grant off er Th e provisions of Article 97 of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts Constitution Th e LAND Project Agreement, which is adjunct to the deed Northampton Conservation Commission owned properties are considered permanently protected open
space parcels. Any disposal of Conservation Commission owned properties, including easements and less than fee interests, would require Conservation Commission and City Council approval
and, in accordance with Article 97 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Constitution, a two-thirds roll call vote of the state legislature. Any disposition of Article 97 property also
requires the fi ling of an Environmental Notifi cation Form with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Offi ce, as approved by the Secretary of the Executive Offi ce of Environmental
Aff airs. Also, the 87-acre Middle Connector Section added to the Mineral Hills Conservation Area in 2008 is
TURKEY SYLVESTER ROAD HILL ROAD WESTHAMPTON NORTHAMPTON WESTHAMPTON NORTHAMPTON TURKEY HILL ROAD 46 45 47 48 49 51 2.5 2 53 1 3 10 12 13 14 45 6 8 9 7 33 34 35 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 22
23 24 25 16 1718 20 19 21 15 36 37 38 39 40 41 4243 44 11 50 52 NORTHEAST SURVEY CONSULTANTS 116 PLEASANT ST. SUITE 302 P.O. BOX 109 EASTHAMPTON, MA 01027 (413) 203-5144 REFERENCE PLAN
NORTHAMPTON, MA MINERAL HILLS PREPARED FOR THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON 1 1 45678911 15 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 52