•July 2010•
Margaret M. Clucas (1915-2010)
July 14, 2010. Margaret (Peggy) Clucas, a friend and supporter of the Lyme Land Trust passed away in her home in Lyme. In 1993 Peggy donated almost 24 acres of fields on Brush Hill Rd near Tantumorantum Rd to the Lyme Land Trust thus helping to preserve the rural feel of the area.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am Thursday July 22, in the Lyme Congregational Church. The family has suggested donations to the Lyme Land Trust in lieu of flowers.
July 9, 2010 Courant.com
Lyme Preserves Give Imaginations A Workout
By Peter Marteka
Use this link to read a wonderful article by Hartford Courant columnist Peter Marteka about his hiking experience he had on Pickwick’s Preserve, Chauncey Eno Preserve and Mount Archer Woods. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/courant-columnists/hc-marteka-column-0709,0,7902544.column
•June 2010•
Selectmen’s Newsletter Spring 2010 supports Land Trust Stewardship efforts:
“The Board of Selectmen wishes to express its support for the Lyme Land Conservation Trust and its on going stewardship of easements it holds for the town as a consequence of past actions by Lyme land use commissions relating to the regulatory process. In 1990, a local ordinance was enacted utilizing an enabling state statute which empowered the Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission to hold such instruments for the town. Prior to that, the Land Trust and Nature Conservancy were the only options available for such transactions. The selectmen want to go on the record with a public statement of appreciation and support for the Land Trust and its continuing commitment to the fiduciary responsibility required to uphold the integrity of such easements.”
To read the complete newsletter go to: http://townlyme.org/newsletters-reports
•May 2010•
May 28, 2010
The Lyme Land Trust Will Enforce Restrictions in Conservation Easements it Holds
as a Fiduciary
Remarks delivered at the 2010 LLCT Annual Meeting on May 28, 2010
By George Moore, President.
Land Trust President, George Moore, used the occasion of the Annual Meeting May
28, 2010 to explain to members the background of the long running dispute with
the owners of 66 Selden Rd. and why it so important for the Trust to do its duty
and defend this easement. After a detailed explanation, he concluded by saying:
“This is a very uncomfortable experience for the Land Trust. We realize that our ability to protect land and important conservation resources depends on our relationships with landowners. However, it is our legal obligation to defend and protect the property we hold for the public benefit.
If we shirk our duty, we would violate this obligation. If we fail in our duty, would any landowners rely on us in the future to steward and protect their land? Would our donors trust us to protect the land purchased with their kind donations? Effective conservation includes both acquiring land and easements and having the resolve to protect those interests when they are threatened. In this instance, our duty requires us to resort to a Court action. We did so in a responsible manner and only when given no other reasonable alternative.”
Moore added:
"We are confident that at the end of this legal dispute we will have fulfilled both our legal duties and our responsibilities to the future of our community.
In closing let me put one myth to rest. We are not trying to impose our views on anyone. The Land Trust directors strongly support the right of landowners to enjoy their property as they see fit, respecting zoning and Inland Wetlands regulations, and if a conservation easement is involved, respecting that as well. The only reason we are involved in the Selden Road dispute is a conservation easement exists, and we have a legal and fiduciary duty to defend it. And defend it we will."
Read the complete speech
as mailed to members.
