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A Partnership in the Community

17 acres in Barnstable Village

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In March the Barnstable Fire District (BFD) acquired the 17-acre Bush-Brown property in Barnstable Village. A conservation restriction, held jointly by BLT and the Town of Barnstable, ensures its permanent protection.        

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Entrance to walking trail
More than 25 years ago, the village of Barnstable identified 33 acres of Bush-Brown family lands as a priority for preservation. Three years ago, as the land passed from one generation to the next, BLT began to focus on helping protect the most sensitive resource area – 17 acres that fall 90% within the zone of contribution to BFD’s well #1, and a critical link in the Cape Cod Pathway.

Last May, a standing room only crowd of more than 180 District voters authorized funding to help acquire the 17 acres to be used for a potential future public water supply and protection of an existing well. The Town Council unanimously authorized Community Preservation Act funding to support the District acquisition.

The sensitivity of the land and permitting by the family to allow development on the remaining 16 acres of the Bush-Brown property posed many challenges including the protection of the Eastern Box Turtle, listed as a species of Special Concern by the Mass Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

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According to BLT Executive Director Jaci Barton, “This was one of the most challenging projects in BLT history but its successful completion proves that when we work in partnership, our community’s most sensitive resource areas can be protected.”

To ensure the pathway remains accessible, BLT accepted the responsibility to maintain the walking trail that runs from Phinney’s Lane to Pine Lane and connects to the Old Jail Lane Preserve.

 

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