Cheshire
Land Trust Properties & Conservation Restrictions
Since its organization in 1969 the Cheshire Land Trust has acquired by gift or easement 31 properties across Cheshire totaling 568 acres. Five of these properties have active farming operations comprising 283 acres. The Land Trust is proud take on the responsibility of preserving this farmland for generations to come.The public can take comfort in knowing that Ives Farm, CLT's largest farm acquisition (2006) and a cherished part of Cheshire's agricultural history and most recently the Leavenworth Tree Farm 2013) will be preserved.
Active family farm enterprise dedicated to Christmas Tree production: Donor intent: Honor the wishes of their parents, John & Charlotte Leavenworth, to preserve the farm and ensure future farming operations.
249 Coleman Road
None unless authorized by family for Christmas Tree cut your own
Forested open space. The property will be developed with trails for public access. The mixed hardwood forest has been activelymanaged by the Carpenter / Blackburn family over their 80 year stewardship. Elizabeth Carpenter willed 34 acres and her children sold an additional 6 acres to the Trust in a bargain sale June 2005.Easement granted to SCRWA for $150,000
Sperry Rd.
Yes
May-05
Elizabeth Brooke Carpenter
The Preserve is named for her father. He purchased this land in 1920.
Working Farm - corn, hay, strawberries, greenhouse flowers, vegetables
1585 Cheshire St.
No
Aug-06
Elizabeth Ives
Easement Acreage
115.96
6 private properties with enforceable conservation protections
Acreage by Title
451.54
25 properties
Grand Total Acreage
567.50
31 properties
------ Value of Protected Land* $8,188,000
*The value of protected land is based on fair market valuations at the time the gifts were made.
The Ives Farm fair market appraisal is $5,400,000. The value of the all other land is $2,788,000 - Value per acre is $9,680.
For accounting purposes the value of the easement properties has no fair market value for the Trust.
Anderson Easement
West Main St. Woodland Protected with Conservation Easement - December 30, 2009
The Cheshire Land Trust announces the completion of the Anderson conservation easement, a donation to the Trust from Eric Anderson and his mother Brenda Anderson-Killer. Under the terms of the easement, a permanent deed restriction, the donors and the Land Trust agreed that this 4.73-acre woodland, just off West Main Street, will remain undeveloped. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods, this acreage will not be built upon because of the donors’ wish to keep the land open for future generations. The Land Trust has accepted the responsibility for monitoring the parcel, making once-a-year visits to inspect the property and make sure that all the conservation values are being preserved. The Conservation Values cited in the easement include: provision of food and shelter for birds and animals, prevention of erosion, protection of air quality quality, and protection of water quality in this watershed. The landowner may enjoy passive recreation – walking, bird watching, and berry-picking on this property as he and his family have for many years. His house is on land adjacent to the eased property. Anderson may build walking trails if he wishes to, but no public access is planned. A management plan for this property will be prepared in the spring, with copies given to the owner and to the Land Trust. This plan will list activities which will improve habitat and allow some commercial activity while doing no harm. The activities will be those the landowner wants to pursue such as planting trees, building brush piles for wildlife, culling some trees for firewood, rebuilding stone walls, putting up birdhouses, and removing invasive plants.
This acquisition is the eighth Conservation Easement accepted by the Land Trust. This acreage includes land owned outright by the Trust along with lands owned by others but under a conservation easement. “The tax benefits of donating a conservation easement are substantial”, said Kevin Wetmore, President of the Land Trust. “A landowner is entitled to a tax benefit of 50% of his gross income. This amount can be spread out over ten years.” Wetmore explained that the amount of the charitable donation is calculated by appraising the highest value of the land, generally that of development, versus the value of the land with the development rights removed. The difference between the two is the amount on which the tax benefit is calculated. What does the Land Trust get out of conservation easements? They get more land to take care of – and are glad to do it! More open space means a better looking town, better air and water quality, and an action which follows the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development which advocates conservation easements and the saving of land – farming lands, pasture lands, orchards, meadows, and wooded properties. Mr. Anderson and his mother Brenda Anderson-Killer, were the joint donors of the easement, preserving the natural resources, while giving up the right to build on the land. The town reaps the benefit of their decision: open space needs no public services, does not require schools or trash removal.
