1.
Hudson Land Trust
Public Meeting
January 16, 2019

2.
Agenda
Presentation by Board of Directors, joined by Pam Helinek & Linda Ghiloni
● Background: Community Preservation Act
● About the Hudson Land Trust
● Hudson’s Conservation Land
● Goals of the Trust
● How You Can Help
Q&A / Discussion

3.
Background: Community Preservation Act
2000: Community Preservation Act signed into law by Gov. Cellucci.
2006-2007: Hudson adopts CPA at 1%.
2008-present:
● Hudson’s Community Preservation Fund has raised approximately $3.4M directly from residents
and an additional $1.25M in matching funds from the State.
● Community Preservations Funds have been used to acquire land for both conservation and
recreation, among other approved uses (historic preservation, affordable housing).

4.
Background: Hudson’s CPA Land Goals
In determining what lands are important for acquisition or protection there are a number Town planning
documents such as the Open Space and Recreation Plan, the Master Plan, the Upper Assabet Riverway Plan,
the Urban River Visioning Plan and Community Preservation Plan that reference parcels for various reasons
to further the goals of:
● Creating a good balance between the natural environment and development, essential to the quality of
life within a community.
● Protecting the land surrounding our water supplies and natural features especially our most significant
natural resource, the Assabet River, its tributaries, streams and connecting lakes and ponds.
● Protecting the large agricultural properties in the eastern end of Town which links us to our past.
● Creating a wide variety of recreational opportunities whether passive or active.
● Connecting parcels with other Town owned property or quasi-public properties for larger open tracts
of land.

5.
Background: CPA & Land Trusts
Land acquired with monies from the Community Preservation Fund must be bound
by a permanent Conservation Restriction.
Per the CPA, the Town must designate a nonprofit organization to hold, monitor, and
enforce the deed restriction.
Many communities have local land trusts, ex: Stow, Bolton.
Nearby, Sudbury Valley Trustees is among the state’s largest regional land trusts.

6.
Hudson Land Trust
Formed in 2018 as a nonprofit corporation, 501(c)(3).
Incorporated and led by a volunteer Board of Directors, all of whom are Hudson
residents:
● Greg Opp, President
● Andy Horvitz, Treasurer
● Tom Green, Clerk
● Bob Burgess, Director
● Brian White, Director

7.
Our Mission
● Enforce conservation restrictions on the Town’s existing preservation properties.
● Maintain and enhance passive recreation opportunities on these properties.
● Acquire land resources for conservation.
● Support and drive local and state conservation efforts.
● Offer conservation-related education to the community.

8.
Land: Old North Road Conservation Land
Location: Easement at 10 Old North Road,
Western side of Gospel Hill where the largest
parcels of land remain undeveloped.
Use: Open Space
Acquired: 2014
Acreage: 26.88

9.
Old North Road Conservation Land: Existing Trail

10.
Land: Schofield
Location: Cranberry Lane
● Adjacent to the Cranberry well field.
● Adjacent to the Mass Central Railroad.
Uses: Open Space, Recreation
Acquired: 2009, in conjunction with a water resource
protection grant from the Department of
Environmental Protection.
Acreage: 16.93

11.
Land: Fossile Field
Location: 42 Brigham Street
● On Assabet River.
● Adjacent to HHS and Elks (both quasi public areas).
● Furthers the goal of a walking trail from Chapin
Road Boat Launch to Yankee Golden Retriever
Land.
Uses: Open Space, Recreation
Acquired: 2008
Acreage: 6.63

12.
Land: Meers/Albertini Land
Location: Wilkins Street
● Adjacent to Riverside Rod and Gun Club (quasi
public land).
Use: Recreation
Acquired: 2016
Acreage: 16.5

13.
Goals
2019
● Build trails and implement signage at Old North Road Conservation Land.
● Raise $25,000 from members and donors.
● Heighten awareness in the community around the Hudson Land Trust and land conservation, generally.
● Engage with large landowners, per the Open Space Plan.
● Pursue Conservation Restrictions on the aforementioned CPA properties.
Beyond
● Develop the financial and operational wherewithal, along with the relationships, to support and drive
land acquisitions that align with our mission.
● Provide perpetual stewardship stewardship of conservation lands and their conservation restrictions.

14.
How You Can Help
Fundraising
● Join us.
● Donate (cash, land, in-kind).
● Spread the word!
Volunteer
● Build and maintain trails / labor.
● Become a property steward.
● Join the board.
● Spread the word!

15.
Thank you.
HudsonLandTrust.org