No Action Taken by Selectboard on the Use of Conservation Funds to Support LeBoeuf Purchase
February 16 update

There was standing-room-only at the Selectboard's special meeting Monday night, February 15, warned to consider using conservation funds to help defray the costs of purchasing the 51-acre LeBoeuf property in the West Village.

Chair Charles Russell explained the reason for the meeting, saying that the issue had been raised at an information meeting on the LeBoeuf purchase last Wednesday and there had been a considerable amount of discussion since that time. He felt it was a legitimate question, and felt the discussion should be in public.

Clark Hinsdale gave a brief history of the Conservation Fund, and his role as a member of the Selectboard at that time and the author of the "original document creating the triumvirate of the Land Trust, Conservation and Recreation Committee chairs being the gatekeepers for proposals to access the Conservation Fund." He concluded that "community involvement in the future of the LeBoeuf property has the potential to do some good, depleting the Conservation Fund has the certainty of doing much harm."

Kate Lampton spoke of the amount of time it takes to finalize projects, and the importance of having the certainty of adequate funds available to leverage the increasingly scarce state and federal grants for conservation projects. She acknowledged that the LeBoeuf property had conservation potential because it includes clay plain and the headwaters of the Thorpe Brook, but added, "We have a well established process and I urge you to stick to it."

Stephen Brooks said the decision was an “easy” one. If there were $2 million in the Conservation Fund it would be different, but $680,000 was not enough. In any case, the Town “can handle $1.2 million,” as there is very little bonded indebtedness now.

Ellie Russell said the issue right now was to get the LeBoeuf property purchase approved, and not to “muddy the waters” with this conservation issue.

The discussion ended amicably with members of the Selectboard indicating that the 2 cents for the Conservation Fund was secure for this year, and that any future application for funds to conserve a portion of the property would likely go through the same process as other projects.