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Land gift offered to town of Farmington

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The 70-acre area proposed as a land donation to the town of Farmington is outlined in red. The western edge along the dotted red line would need to be established and assessed. (Photo generated by Maple Hill Forestry Consultants)
The 70-acre area proposed as a land donation to the town of Farmington is outlined in red. The area is east of the fairgrounds along High Street. The western edge along the dotted red line would need to be established and the newly created parcel assessed. (Photo generated by Maple Hill Forestry)
Cascade Brook, upstream of the falls. The falls provide the biggest water drop at 20 to 30 feet in some places.
Cascade Brook, upstream of the falls. The falls provide the biggest water drop at 20 to 30 feet in some places in the area. (Peter Tracy photo)

FARMINGTON – A landowner is offering to donate about 70 acres  to the town that includes Cascade falls east of the Farmington fairgrounds.

Farmington Conservation Commission members recommended to selectmen at their meeting Tuesday night that the town accept the land gift with an estimated assessed value of $67,000.

Marc Fournier is offering the gift parcel to the town to use at will.  Members of the Conservation Commission, Peter Tracy and Patty Cormier, pointed out that the parcel would offer public recreation opportunities, watershed and steam protection, and forest management revenue through wood harvest.

The parcel is bordered by town-owned property where the Highway Department facility is located, and runs east behind a residential area accessed by Cascade Leisure Park Road, with existing pedestrian and ATV trails and additional trail access from Maple Avenue.

Cascade Brook originates at the summit of Mosher Hill, makes its way west towards downtown and empties into the Sandy River near  the Hammond Lumber store, said Tracy, chair of the Conservation Commission.

The  land donation includes Cascade Brook’s steep rocky falls, which features a water drop of 20 to 30 feet in some places and offers dramatic views during spring runoff. The area along the stream has long been used for recreational purposes with existing fire pits and small clearings, Tracy said.

Tracy, a forestry consultant, estimated a “light” timber harvest from the wood lot could bring an estimated $32,000 in revenue. Harvesting town-owned wood lots in Farmington and Wilton have historically provided “a steady source of income,” he noted.

If voters accept the land gift at a town meeting, the town would be responsible for costs associated with establishing the western border of the newly created parcel from an existing four parcels. That is estimated to cost between $2,000 to $3,000. Once completed, an appraisal costing about $450 would be needed. Another consideration of the gift is that the parcel would move off the tax rolls if it were to become owned by the town. That is estimated to be about $1,200 annually.

The Conservation Commission recommended accepting the gift for its multi-use recreational value, forest and wildlife management possibilities, and to conserve the cascades and surrounding area for future generations. In addition, timber harvest revenue could help offset property tax loss.

Cormier, a district forester with the Maine Forestry Service, noted the unique opportunity for the town to create a recreational area.  “It’s pretty neat we’re being offered this.”

Selectman Matthew Smith said “it’s a good deal. We can’t make any more land.”

Although Fournier conveyed he had hoped to complete the gift transaction before the end of the year for tax purposes,  Selectman Stephan Bunker said it may be a preference to wait until the annual town meeting in March when more people could vote on it.

Selectman Joshua Bell said he’d be “comfortable” with it at annual meeting or sooner at a special town meeting, if need be.  Selectmen asked to see if Fournier would be willing to wait until March for a town vote.

Fournier decided to give the gift parcel to the town because “it’s of value to him that the town could use it for recreation,” Cormier said after the meeting.

 

 

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