Hampden council accepts donation of two parcels adjacent to South Dapskook for conservation

HAMPDEN — The Hampden Town Council voted unanimously July 6 to accept two parcels of land donated by Laura Collins (identified in town records as Map 8 Lot 68 and Map 8 Lot 70), parcels councilors said help protect riparian habitat and provide floodwater storage along the South Dapskook stream.

A councilor described the properties as bog and riparian land that supplies wildlife habitat, water-quality benefits and recreational opportunities. Citing federal guidance, the councilor noted that FEMA’s ecosystem-services valuation for riparian land "usually comes in at $14.77 dollars per acre per year," arguing the ecological benefits outweigh low tax revenue (the councilor said the parcels produced only a few hundred dollars in tax revenue, "$7.42 per acre").

The town manager told the council the town had not conducted an on-site inspection other than remote review and that legal counsel advised there would be no liability to the town beyond what is typical for any accepted land unless pollution or another specific problem were discovered. A councilor asked staff to investigate whether an adjacent parcel (Map 8 Lot 69) might be available for donation to provide continuity of protected land along the bend.

With those assurances and discussion of conservation value, the council moved to accept the donation; the vote was unanimous, recorded 7-0. The chair thanked the donor (Laura Collins) and said the town will be "excellent stewards" of the property.

The council discussed potential future conservation easements or other protections during follow-up work.