KLT_Northampton_CRMonitoringLetter2021.pdf
October 5, 2021
Re: 2021 Conservation Restriction Monitoring Summary
Dear Tom, Sarah, and Wayne,
I have completed my annual monitoring for all of the Northampton Conservation Restriction lands held by
Kestrel for 2021. Please review the attached spreadsheet documenting all observed issues, as well as some
relevant notes from my monitoring. For our purposes “issues” are items that require attention to reduce the risk
that they become violations. “Notes” are simply for your information, generally pertaining to land management
concerns. Overall, the properties were in great shape, with only a few issues that I would like to bring to your
attention.
BB Broad Brook Gap-Kubosiak: there is ongoing dumping of yard debris and stockpiling of woodchips on the
CR. This was documented in 2019 at which time I believe the landowner was contacted by the City. This year
there was evidence of recent tractor tracks during my visit indicating active encroachment. The boundary area
in question is already well marked and posted. Please contact the abutters at 350 Coles Meadow Road and
notify them of the CR and ask them to stop encroaching.
MH – Pine Barrens: the yard encroachment at 25 Bayberry Lane has not been resolved yet. In 2019 and 2020
this issue was documented and reported to Northampton. KLT requests that the City attempt to reach an
agreement with 25 Bayberry Lane and then update the Baseline Report to document the outcome.
MH – South: I observed rather extensive ATV use on the property. Of particular concern was soil disturbance,
rutting, and trail widening, especially through wet areas. ATV access appears to be concentrated in the
southeast portion of the property adjacent to the “Waggin Trails Dog Park.” Recommend installing signage and
gates/barriers to prevent ATV access.
At your convenience, I would like to schedule our annual stewardship meeting per the 2018 MOU. It would be
a good opportunity to discuss these issues and track our progress. I know that the end of the year can be hectic,
so I purpose meeting in January 2022 on Zoom – calendar invite to follow.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like assistance addressing any of the
issues.
Best,
Stu Watson
Stewardship Manager
Stu@KestrelTrust.org
413-461-0797 (mobile)
P.O. Box 1016, Amherst, MA 01004
phone (413) 549-1097 • fax (413) 549-2700 • kestreltrust.org
Parcel Issue - require attention to avoid violation Note - land management concern
2013 CPA - BB 350 North
King Street
Westernmost corner pin is loose.
2013 CPA - BB Beaver
Brook
A trail running E/W through the
center of the property may be
new, or recently improved. It
was recently blazed with purple
circles.
2013 CPA - BB Broad Brook
Gap-Kubosiak
Abutter at 350 Coles Meadow Rd.
continues to pile large amounts of yard
debris and wood chips on CR (on-going
since 2019). Evidence of recent tractor
use to dump materials. Recommend
notifying abutter of the CR and request
they stop encroaching.
2013 CPA - BB Girl Scout Knotweed present.
2013 CPA - BB Sullivan
Abutter at 42 Morningside Dr. shed on
property line, but predates CR and
documneted in BDR. Recommend
notifying abutter of CR and property
line, and request they remove shed
when they sell the property.
2013 CPA - MH Bosworth
(Tract 3)
2013 CPA - MH Jedoran
(Tract 6)
2013 CPA - MH Mineral
Hills Trust (Tract 5)
2013 CPA - MH Sarafin
(Tract 7)
Minor blowdown partially
blocking trail.
2013 CPA - MH Tofino
(Tract 4)
2013 CPA - MH Turkey Hill
Cluster (1)
2013 CPA - MH Turkey Hill
Quarry (Tract 2)
Small fire pit at the quarry. Minor ORV
tracks were observed, and minor trail
widening was occurring to avoid a wet
section of trail. Recommend more
prominent "No ORV" signage at SW trail
entrance.
2013 CPA - MR Bean/Allard
Farm
Minor yard debris dumping at top of W
slope, very difficult to determine if it’s
encroaching on CR. Recommend abutter
pull back pile from edge of slope.
Steep slope along the west side is
showing signs of sloughing. The
condo community that abuts
that corner has seeded the slope
in an effort to establish
vegetation and reduce erosion.
Knotweed and garlic throughout
2013 CPA - MR Beaver
Brook Bridge
Knotweed present.
2013 CPA - MR Leeds Knotweed and garlic mustard
throughout property.
2013 CPA - SMH Mielke
Multiple blowdowns partially
blocking trial. Knotweed and
garlic mustard present along
brook/road frontage. Minor litter
along road frontage.
2013 CPA - SMH Trust
On-going yard debris dumping past 30'
buffer. Recommend notifying abutter of
the CR and request they stop dumping.
2013 CPA - SMH West
2016 CPA - SMH LaValley
2016 CPA - SMH Reutener
2016 CPA - SMH Szymanski
2019 CPA - Parcel A
2019 CPA - Parcel B
2019 CPA - Parcel C SE corner pin is loose.
2019 CPA - Parcel D
2019 CPA - Parcel E
2019 CPA - Parcel F
2019 CPA - Parcel G
2019 CPA - Parcel H Garlic mustard present.
2019 CPA - Parcel I Farmers are actively using the NE
portion of the property.
MH - Burts Bog Needs updated BDR to reflect
work on trail and parking area.
MH - Fields
MH - Pine Barrens
On-going yard encroachment at 25
Bayberry Ln. Reported to City in 2019
and 2020. City agreed to update BDR.
Recommend City contact abutter and
discuss a solution, then update BDR.
Bittersweet, garlic mustard, and
knotweed present.
MH - South
Extensive ATV use causing soil
disturbance, creating ruts, widening
trails, and causing erosion and siltation
by driving through wet areas (standing
water and flowing surface water).
Recommend installing signs, and ATV
prevention gates/logs.
Knotweed present.
MH Skibiski