Hollis conservation panel approves $44,000 easement to preserve 9.6-acre orchard

The Hollis Conservation Commission voted unanimously June 17 to purchase an agricultural conservation easement on a 9.616-acre property at 9 Procter Hill Road owned by the DePaulis Family Revocable Trust.

Commission member Mark Paulson presented the proposal, saying the property is almost entirely an apple orchard in the town’s historic district and that the easement would cover the property except for a carve‑out for the existing house footprint, driveway and underground utilities. Paulson said the purchase price is $44,000 — about $4,583 per acre — and described the easement’s restrictions: no subdivision, no impermeable surfaces on the easement area, no buildings except those necessary for agricultural purposes, no excavation or dredging, and prohibitions on dumping or burning material not originating on the property.

"The easement is a standard agricultural conservation easement," Paulson said, adding that terms are similar to prior town easements such as Woodmont. He also noted that the farmer Brookdale currently operates the orchard.

After public‑hearing procedures were followed and no members of the public offered substantive comment, Paulson moved to approve the expenditure. The motion was seconded and passed on a recorded vote of 7–0.

The commission chair thanked Paulson for leading the negotiation and noted that closing the transaction will require signed documents and delivery of the check; the chair said the commission will designate a signatory to complete the closing as needed.

Next steps listed in the meeting included finalizing signatures and coordinating with the town attorney; the commission recorded the approval as a formal expenditure of conservation funds for the easement.