Thanks to the East Lyme residents, the 130 acres at the heart of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve is now owned by the town of East Lyme, and safe forever!
Potential Impact to the Hills
Two years ago, the Land Trust sought support from the town and the public to raise the funds needed to purchase the Hathaway property, but negotiations with the town stalled.
Since then, the East Lyme Land Trust used 130 acres at the heart of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve as collateral, in order to purchase the Hathaway Farms. That brought us to where we are today... If the Land Trust were to default on the mortgage, there is a possibility that this acreage could be sold, and an essential part of the preserve could be lost.
As stated at the public hearing on September 27th (text and video link below), we are obviously not happy with what has transpired, but at the end of the day, the mission of the Friends is to protect the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve.
We may lose a central parcel of the preserve (parcel B, owned by the East Lyme Land Trust) requiring the closure of multiple trails, denying hikers access to many of the beautiful views, and obliterating the established loop trail system.
The maps below show what is at stake. The X’s on the map below show where the trails would end. We believe that if the town of East Lyme owns the entire Nature Preserve, then all the land is then protected in perpetuity. This provides an opportunity to ensure that this property is never subjected to this kind of action again and will be available to future generations to enjoy.
How we got here...
CLICK FOR LINK TO THE VIDEOS OF THE EL BOS MEETINGS, INCLUDING THE 9/27 PUBLIC HEARING
There has been significant media coverage of these events, including the articles linked below:
The Days article from October 17th reporting the results
East Lyme Voters Pledge Millions to fend off Development
The Day's article from October 6, 2023 about the referendum
East Lyme Taxpayers to vote on buying 255 acres of open space
The Day's article covering the public hearing on September 27, 2023:
Motivations Vary amid Open Space Advocates in East Lyme
The Day's article of August 30, 2023 regarding the Board of Selectmen's proposal to purchase:
East Lyme will try to buy 255 acres for $2.25 Million
The CT Examiners article of August 30, 2023 regarding the Board of Selectmen's proposal to purchase:
Selectmen Announce Intention to Purchase more than 250 acres in East Lyme for Open Space
The Days article of March 9, 2023, that states the Attorney General is investigating concerns regarding the East Lyme Land Trust and the Hill's properties that was used as collateral.
As reported in The Day's article of November 5, 2022 The East Lyme Land Trust took ownership of 120 acres known as the Hathaway property for $2.3 million dollars in September 2022. The East Lyme Land Trust is using six properties within the preserve as collateral, this could negatively impact critical areas of the preserve.
The Day's article of May 14, 2022 - Stalled open space negotiations filled with talk of affordable housing
Hathaway Farms footprint has changed - now 114 acres, looking for $2.3M
The Day's article of September 28, 2021 regarding the East Lyme Land Trust's proposal to sell the Hathaway Farms property to the town for $1.65M Land Trust looking for town to close on $1.65M Deal
Kris Lambert, President of the Friends of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve made the following remarks at the public hearing on 9/27:
"Obviously the Friends are not happy with how the Nature Preserve was brought into this situation and we are dismayed that a significant part of the preserve has been put at risk. But that is the reality of the situation. Given the mission of the Friends to promote and encourage preservation of the Oswegatchie Hills as a nature preserve and to sponsor cooperative fundraising, planning, and public relations efforts, and to undertake such other services and programs as shall be deemed necessary to encourage preservation of the Oswegatchie Hills as open space for the enjoyment and enrichment of the citizens of Connecticut, the Board of the Friends of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve endorses the Board of Selectmen’s proposal for the town to acquire the properties currently being used as collateral. Additionally the Board feels that a “no” vote at the referendum could be detrimental to the Nature Preserve."
Two years ago, the Land Trust sought support from the town and the public to raise the funds needed to purchase the Hathaway property, but negotiations with the town stalled.
Since then, the East Lyme Land Trust used 130 acres at the heart of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve as collateral, in order to purchase the Hathaway Farms. That brought us to where we are today... If the Land Trust were to default on the mortgage, there is a possibility that this acreage could be sold, and an essential part of the preserve could be lost.
As stated at the public hearing on September 27th (text and video link below), we are obviously not happy with what has transpired, but at the end of the day, the mission of the Friends is to protect the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve.
We may lose a central parcel of the preserve (parcel B, owned by the East Lyme Land Trust) requiring the closure of multiple trails, denying hikers access to many of the beautiful views, and obliterating the established loop trail system.
The maps below show what is at stake. The X’s on the map below show where the trails would end. We believe that if the town of East Lyme owns the entire Nature Preserve, then all the land is then protected in perpetuity. This provides an opportunity to ensure that this property is never subjected to this kind of action again and will be available to future generations to enjoy.
How we got here...
- September 2021 – Land Trust holds information session to explain importance of acquiring the Hathaway property and to seek public and town support.
- September 2022 – Land Trust takes ownership of Hathaway property and puts that property plus acreage in the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve and property on Brainerd Road up for collateral.
- August 2023 – The Board of Selectmen votes to “execute a Purchase and Sale agreement for the purchase of certain property,” i.e. Hathaway Farms, acreage in the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve, and property on Brainerd Road.
- September 2023 – Public hearing held. The majority of those speaking were in favor of the proposal to have town acquire the three properties.
- October 17, 2023 – Town referendum to vote on proposal to purchase Hathaway Farms, property in Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve and property on Brainerd Road.
CLICK FOR LINK TO THE VIDEOS OF THE EL BOS MEETINGS, INCLUDING THE 9/27 PUBLIC HEARING
There has been significant media coverage of these events, including the articles linked below:
The Days article from October 17th reporting the results
East Lyme Voters Pledge Millions to fend off Development
The Day's article from October 6, 2023 about the referendum
East Lyme Taxpayers to vote on buying 255 acres of open space
The Day's article covering the public hearing on September 27, 2023:
Motivations Vary amid Open Space Advocates in East Lyme
The Day's article of August 30, 2023 regarding the Board of Selectmen's proposal to purchase:
East Lyme will try to buy 255 acres for $2.25 Million
The CT Examiners article of August 30, 2023 regarding the Board of Selectmen's proposal to purchase:
Selectmen Announce Intention to Purchase more than 250 acres in East Lyme for Open Space
The Days article of March 9, 2023, that states the Attorney General is investigating concerns regarding the East Lyme Land Trust and the Hill's properties that was used as collateral.
As reported in The Day's article of November 5, 2022 The East Lyme Land Trust took ownership of 120 acres known as the Hathaway property for $2.3 million dollars in September 2022. The East Lyme Land Trust is using six properties within the preserve as collateral, this could negatively impact critical areas of the preserve.
The Day's article of May 14, 2022 - Stalled open space negotiations filled with talk of affordable housing
Hathaway Farms footprint has changed - now 114 acres, looking for $2.3M
The Day's article of September 28, 2021 regarding the East Lyme Land Trust's proposal to sell the Hathaway Farms property to the town for $1.65M Land Trust looking for town to close on $1.65M Deal
Kris Lambert, President of the Friends of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve made the following remarks at the public hearing on 9/27:
"Obviously the Friends are not happy with how the Nature Preserve was brought into this situation and we are dismayed that a significant part of the preserve has been put at risk. But that is the reality of the situation. Given the mission of the Friends to promote and encourage preservation of the Oswegatchie Hills as a nature preserve and to sponsor cooperative fundraising, planning, and public relations efforts, and to undertake such other services and programs as shall be deemed necessary to encourage preservation of the Oswegatchie Hills as open space for the enjoyment and enrichment of the citizens of Connecticut, the Board of the Friends of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve endorses the Board of Selectmen’s proposal for the town to acquire the properties currently being used as collateral. Additionally the Board feels that a “no” vote at the referendum could be detrimental to the Nature Preserve."
