Elwell Conservation Area Access Right of Way/Connecticut River GreenwayDear Mr. Drozdal:
City of Northampton, Massachusetts
Office of Planning and Development
City Hall 210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 586 -6950
Community and Economic Development
Conservation Historic Preservation
Planning Board Zoning Board of Appeals
Mr. Carol Drozdal
Drozdal Funeral Home
120 Damon Road
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
Re: Access Right of Way Easement to Elwell Conservation
Area Farmland
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March 29, 1983
At their meeting on March 28, 1983, to which you were requested to attend, the
Northampton Conservation Commission discussed that status of the access road to the
Elwell Conservation Area's farmland. We are in receipt of a letter from Lisa Drazen
of Cheshire Management Co., Inc. (Hampton Manor Apartments) dated March 22, 1983, a
copy of which I have enclosed, in which theyare are offering the city the right to
continue to use their right of way, on an annual renewable basis for a fee of $100
a year, and a one time appraisal cost of $300.
The Conservation Commission, recognizing that their exists already a right of
way for access, at no charge, to this farmland across the southerly boundary of your
property at 120 Damon Road, which has been rendered impassable due to recent filling,
fails to see why the city should have to absorb the financial burden of purchasing
this new access route. As a result the Commission voted unanimously to instruct you
to:
A) open up and restore to its original passable condition the original right
of way easement accross the southerly boundaryline of your property at
120 Damon Road, or
secure some other permanent, functional right of way easement, acceptable
to the Conservation Commission, to provide access to said farmland.
I would like to point out that if you choose alternative A), it would involve
altering land within 100 feet of a floodplain and thus, before work may commence,
you will have to file for, and receive a permit from the Conservation Commission, the
forms for which I have enclosed.
The Commission would like you to notify them by April 11, 1983 as to which alter-
native you intend to implement. Should you choose alternative A),the Commission would
like you to file your completed Notice Of Intent and Environmental Data Forms with the
Northampton Office of Planning Development,,in City Hall, by April 19, 1983 so that
the Commission can hold the required Public Hearing on April 25, 1983. Should you choose
alternative B), the Commission would like you to submit to the Northampton Office of
Planning Development, by April 21, 1983, a signed Purchase and Sales Agreement or
Deed showing evidence that you have obtained a right of way easement for the city
providing practical access to their farmland at the Elwell Conservation Area, subject
to the approval of the Conservation Commission.
Mr. Carol Drozdal
March 29, 1983
Should you have any questions, require clarification or assistance in filling
out the enclosed forms please don't hesitate to contact me a 585 6950 X263.
cc. City Solicitor
We would like to resolve this situation as soon as posssible as we are fast
approaching the spring planting season and the contract farmer requires access
to this farmland. We would also like to point out that if this access problem
is not resolved in an expeditious manner the city will hold you responsible for
any loss of income ($1255.50 rental fee) due to its loss of adequate, practical
access to its farmland.
Very truly yours,
4,
Lawrence B. Smith, Planner
on behalf of the
Northampton Conservation Commission
City of Northampton, Massachusetts
Office of Planning and Development
City Hall 210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 586 -6950
Community and Economic Development Conservation
Historic Preservation Housing Rehabilitation
Planning Board Zoning Board of Appeals
Liza Drazen, Property Manager
Cheshire Management Co., Inc.
1000 Yale Avenue
P.O. Box 69
Walingford, Ct. 06492
Re: Access to Elwell Farmland
Dear Liza:
(i
March 18, 1982
This is to confirm what we discussed at our meeting on Thursday, February
25, 1982 with Mr. Baye at Hamden Manor.
The City of Northampton recently purchased the 60 acre island and 40 acres
of shoreline abutting your Hamden Manor property, from Mrs. Alice Pekala to be
used as city conservation land. The City is continuing farming the 15 acres of
farmland on the property, as has been done for many, many years, by allowing
private farmers to compete for the use of the land, in accordance with the terms
of a Farm Use Agreement.
Mr. Peter Baye, wham you've met, has won the right to use the land for the
next five years. I have enclosed a copy of his Farm Use Agreement. For years,
access to this farmland by those who farmed it was across land of Pioneer Sporting
Center and than down a dirt road along the southerly boundary of your Hampden
Manor property.
Due to pressure being exerted by scene farmers who were unsuccessful in pro
curring the rights to farm here the owner of Pioneer Sporting Center has requested
that we no longer cross his property. Mr. Drozdal, who owns the land to the east,
abutting the Pioneer Sporting Center, yours and the city's property, has agreed
to allow us access across his land to get to your dirt road, a little farther to
the east and closer to the farmland, than before. (please see enclosed sketch)
The City would like to ultimately procure a permanent easement across yours
and Mr. Drozdal's properties for access to this city farmland, for agricultural
purposes. At our meeting on February 25, 1982 you suggested that we try the pro-
posal for a year to see how it works before committing ourselves to permanent ease-
ments.
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this proposal. A response
at your earliest possible convenience would be greatly appreciated.
I
Sinc6rely,
Lawrence B. Smith
Planner
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