By ANDREW MARTIN

The voters will decide whether or not the Hopkinton Land Trust receives a $2 million bond – at the annual Financial Town Referendum.

The Town Council’s decision to place the bond question on the budget’s ballot came after a presentation Monday night by Land Trust member Carol Baker. She outlined why preserving land actually saves money for the town. She also provided history on previous Land Trust purchases and the repercussions of spending the $2 million bond.

Baker said that land preservation saves money because, for example, many large-scale developments often feature homes that attract families. And with those families come children who enroll in the Chariho Regional School District. As a result of that, the town’s payment to Chariho would rise as it is based on enrollment, she said.
“[Development also] requires more tax dollars for public services,” Baker said. “[But] the greatest impact is from the school system, which takes the largest portion of local taxes.”

But Baker did not want to make it seem like Land Trust is against development. “What we are concerned about are large-scale subdivisions,” she said, referring to those like Deer Creek off Tomaquag Road.

“We’re not trying to stop it, but control it,” Baker added. She then said development remains a threat because it can diminish sense of place, quality of life, and rural character.

Although Baker acknowledged council Vice President Sylvia K. Thompson’s statement that enrollment in Chariho is actually down, the Land Trust member remained steady that the threat of development remains.

Baker pointed to factors around town such as numerous large, undeveloped parcels, easy access to Interstate 95, low land prices, and continued low-interest rates. All of those, she said, attract developers.

The Land Trust, which was instituted by voters in 2000, has helped permanently protect 17 percent, or 4,800 acres, of the town’s land. There is an additional 32 percent of land protected, but that is only through a temporary program that allows the land owner to sell the property.

Some of the protected properties include the Grills land, which was purchased in 2008. The Land Trust spent $580,000 on the 429-parcel purchase, while other sources contributed $1.97 million.

But to protect any more land, the Land Trust of course needs more money. The board received $200,000 when it started nine years ago and subsequently received a $1 million bond in 2005 after voter approval. That money has dwindled, though, which is why Baker and her colleagues are asking for additional funding.

According to Baker, a $2 million bond, when fully borrowed, would result in a total tax increase of $37.50 to a resident with a home valued at $250,000.

The council voted 4-1, William J. Felkner against, placing the bond question on the ballot as a warrant item.
Felkner said he could not back something that would raise taxes. “If it’s going to increase taxes in any way or form, I’m not going to support it,” he said. He added that he did not see the threat of development since he believes there are plenty of homes either empty or for sale.

While Thompson and council President Thomas E. Buck agreed the matter should be up to the voters, they were also concerned about the impending increase in taxes. They both pointed to the already standing town debt load, which includes the Land Trust’s previous bond.

“Those are concerning numbers for myself as a taxpayer,” Buck said. “But I’m also with Sylvia [Thompson] … that I’m willing to put it on the referendum because the people who have to pay this bill should make this decision.”