Stewards of the Land
Part I: Judy and Walter Kaess on Beale Way
Conservation Restriction in Barnstable
The historic and environmentally sensitive land owned by Judy and Walter Kaess has been in Judy’s family for half a century. Originally purchased in 1960 by her parents, Eugene and Sunny Exman, Judy and her brother inherited the land in 1979.
Early records of the property burned in the Barnstable Courthouse fire of 1860, Judy explained, but her family knew some of the history thanks to their neighbor, Don “Bunny” Howard, owner of Howard Boats, adjacent to the Barnstable Yacht Club. His grandfather, C.L. Howard, owned a house on the property in the 1800’s; over the years Don shared old photographs of the property with them.
“The land was mostly farmed and there were few trees,” Judy said. “There were pigs, horses and a windmill for pumping water. By the time my parents bought it, the land was overgrown with lots of trees, including some beautiful oaks.”
In addition to its historic and agricultural importance, the parcel is environmentally significant as well. It abuts and lies partially within the Sandy Neck/Barnstable Harbor ACEC, providing diverse wildlife habitat. At the northern end along Barnstable Harbor are tidal flats and salt marshes, which are vital for the shellfisheries. Inland of the marsh is a maritime thicket of viburnum, highbush blueberry and wild grape. The wooded upland is scattered with tall oaks, tupelos and remnants of a former orchard including pears, apples and cherries.
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| Judy and Walter Kaess |
In keeping with its agricultural history, the conservation restriction (CR) placed on 7.72 acres of land, reserved the Kaess’ right to create gardens of fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Judy’s husband Walter, a retired Cape Cod Hospital surgeon, said several reasons prompted them to consider preserving their land. Their neighbor Patricia Chase “planted the seed” Walter explained, when she gifted nearly five acres of her land in
2002. “Also I knew Jacqueline Simpkins and liked what she did with her property.” (In the 90’s Ms. Simpkins placed conservation restrictions on 14 acres of her land.)
In addition to examples set by others, neighborhood changes caught their attention. “Five years ago a number of old, historically interesting properties were subdivided on Scudder Lane,” he continued. “No one anticipated that. Then a neighbor to the west was allowed to subdivide her property. All of a sudden there were these mega-mansions going up. It gave us a couple of sleepless nights.
“We were distraught about what was happening so we initiated the process and developed a plan that allowed us to keep the land the way it is. That is very important to us. We feel that we are stewards of the land.”
Click here for Part II, Doug Mitchell and Christine Welse of Seabury Farm
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