Entering Acton from the Concord Rotary is a calming experience, leaving the craziness of the traffic circle and entering into a beautiful vista of open space. Many do not realize that the property consisting of a forest at the edge of the agricultural fields, on the right-hand side heading west on Route 2, is private land vulnerable to development.
On Monday, November 25, 2024, Acton will hold a Special Town Meeting to consider the purchase of that land, approximately 33 acres, at 19-35 Wetherbee Street. The purchase price is approximately $3.6 million, largely coming from funds from the Community Preservation Act. There will be no increase in town taxes as a result of this purchase. The Town has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to assist in the purchase, however the grant requires a Town Meeting vote in favor of purchase before the end of year. The grant also requires that a perpetual conservation restriction be placed on the property, protecting the land for future generations.
The land is of high conservation value and has long been a top priority on the Town’s Open Space priority list. It is contiguous with both existing conservation land and the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. The forest continues a wildlife corridor through town which includes existing conservation lands, Acton Water District property and Morrison Farm, all lining the Nashoba Brook.
Acton Conservation Trust (www.actonconservationtrust.org), your local non-profit land trust, has pledged to raise and contribute $100,000 toward the purchase of this property by the Town. Please show your support of open space in Acton by donating to Acton Conservation Trust’s “Campaign for Wetherbee Woods,” and by attending the Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 25th to vote in favor of Article 1.
Joe Cooney
Vice President and Trustee
Acton Conservation Trust
