Milton Conservation Commission seeking to conserve Casey Road parcel

Naturalist Charlie Ek show bear bites in a white pine tree during a recent trail hike in woods off Casey Road. .(Virginia Long photo)

The Milton Conservation Commission (MCC) is asking for town support of their effort to add a 5.5-acre abutting parcel to the 73 acres on Casey Road already approved for conservation.

An Article to that effect was added to the town warrant at the February 10 Deliberative Session, to be voted on in the March 13 election. Conservation of the 73-acre property plus the small additional parcel will help protect water quality in Lyman Brook as well as preserve forest upland and wetland habitats for wildlife and guarantee public access to a couple miles of walking trails. Last December, approximately 35 Milton residents turned out for a Trail Party sponsored by the MCC and Board of Selectmen (BOS) that showcased the recreational opportunities and wildlife of the property.

If the town approves Warrant Article 17 to retain for public use and conserve the 5.5-acre parcel, the MCC will work with local land trust Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG) to place a conservation easement on the combined parcels, to protect the land from development, forever. As landowner, the Town of Milton will determine the allowed uses of the property, subject to the terms of the easement. MMRG will be the easement holder and responsible for monitoring the property to ensure that the easement is respected.

At the Town Deliberative Session, BOS Chair Andy Rawson enthusiastically introduced Article 17, saying, "When this is done, it will be a great resource for our town and schools!" Karen Golab and Virginia Long, Chair and Secretary respectively of the MCC Casey Road Land Protection (CRLP) Sub-Committee, answered questions and addressed people's concerns about future costs and access to hunters.

Regarding costs, Golab responded that trail creation and cleanup and other property maintenance will rely on volunteers organized by the CRLP Sub-Committee. Persons interested in volunteering should contact Milton Land Use Clerk Dana Crossley at 603-652-4501 x5. Although placing an easement is an expensive process, the Town will not incur any costs for the easement beyond the $20,000 already committed by the MCC from its Conservation Fund, which has no impact on tax rates.

Hunting is currently allowed on these 2 town-owned parcels. Long stated that conservation easements do not generally disallow hunting so it will be up to the Town as landowner, or its representatives, the BOS, to decide if the hunting policy gets changed in any given year.

At the Trail Party last December, local naturalist Charlie Ek led a guided walk along wooded trails of the Casey Road property down to Lyman Brook, where he spoke of the value of this type of high quality stream habitat and the fish species likely to be found here. At an earlier trail stop, Ek had gestured to the surrounding forest glade and requested, "Let's take a couple minutes to silently appreciate what is available to us in Milton." With winter sunshine filtering through the tree canopy creating a peaceful scene, the group willingly cooperated.

As the Trail Party closed, Rawson urged everyone to vote yes on the upcoming warrant article to conserve the additional 5.5-acre abutting parcel. MCC member Karen Golab thanked Charlie Ek for leading the tour, McKenzie's Farm and Dunkin Donuts for donated refreshments, and Branch Hill Farm and Milton Fire and Rescue for their assistance.

The Milton Conservation Commission's mission is to fulfill the mandates of RSA 36-A and the conservation goals in the Milton Master Plan, which it works to accomplish through conservation projects to protect Milton's water resources, forestlands, wildlife habitat, productive farmland, and recreational areas. Additional benefits are the preservation of Milton's scenic beauty and rural character, supporting NH's vibrant tourism industry and safeguarding the water quality of Milton Three Ponds and the town wells. This natural resource protection has long term benefit to Milton's economy.