The Town has received notice of a $50,000 Technical Assistance Grant Award from the Office of Policy and Management under the HOME CT Statute to evaluate locations and prepare regulations for Incentive Housing Zone(s) to include affordable housing. This grant will, in part, supplement other funds the Planning & Zoning Commission has to develop mixed use regulations for the Gateway/South Green Area.

We are also pleased to announce the receipt of two Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition State Grants by the Planning & Community Development Department. The two grants total $465,500 and will be used to preserve open space land. One grant award is for $117,600, for the purchase of the Auperin Property (28.1 acres). This property is almost entirely forested with an isolated vernal pool and a small brook. It will connect the Weigold Open Space Conservation Area & Joshua’s Trust trail systems with other town-owned open space. This acquisition will protect the sensitive Skungamaug River watershed, a diverse wildlife habitat and forest corridor connecting 3,000′ of frontage on the Skungamaug River and its tributaries.

The second Grant Award is for $347,900, for the purchase of the Knofla Property (71.66 acres). This property constitutes a large portion of a 200-acre ridge-top interior forest containing a diverse species of mixed-hardwoods, providing a valuable habitat for a variety of birds and wildlife. It features a 15-acre hardwood swamp and cedar bog, an important habitat for many reptiles and amphibians.

Title:

This reserve fund shall be known and may be cited as the Town of Tolland Open Space Maintenance Fund (aka OSMF).

Purpose of Funds:

The funds shall be used for the following purposes:

The OSMF shall be used for the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment and contractual services related to the maintenance of open space property purchased or donated to the Town; and the accumulation of reserves for future costs related to such maintenance operations.

Fund Protection:

The Town’s annual budget shall include allocation to the OSMF as deemed necessary which shall be in addition to any private donations received and allocated to said fund. This fund may be liquidated only by a decision of the Town Council with a two-thirds majority vote to discontinue the maintenance program described herein. Any money remaining in the fund after liquidation shall be used for the purchase of additional open space property.

Management of Program:

The Open Space Maintenance Fund shall be administered by the Finance Director under the general direction of the Town Manager who shall be authorized to expend funds within said reserve accounts consistent with the purposes identified herein and as approved annually by the Town Council as part of the budget adoption process after consultation with the Conservation Commission as to their expenditure needs for the maintenance of open space for the year.

The Reserve Fund shall be reviewed every five years with the initial date for establishment being July 1, 2007.

Approved by the Town Council on June 26, 2007.

Click here to return to the Planning & Community Development homepage