2015.08.10 Council Agenda Item 04

In December 2013, the Town Council authorized the Town Manager to apply on behalf of the Town for Federal and State financing assistance under the provisions of both the U.S. Forest Services Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program and the Land for Maine's Future Program (LMF), for the acquisition of four parcels bordering the North Falmouth Community Forest. These two grants would help to pay for the acquisition of an additional ±100 acres of conservation land abutting existing town-owned conservation land in the western portion of town, including transaction costs (appraisal, survey and legal fees).

The proposed property acquisition will permanently protect 100-acres of prime wildlife habitat and recreational land in the most remote area of Falmouth (an additional 3.5-acre parcel is being donated by one seller). It will also secure a critical snowmobile trail link that provides access from Falmouth and towns to our north into Windham and the state ITS trail system, along with a mile of existing pedestrian trails. Finally, it will give the town access from Blackstrap Road into these parcels and the existing 275-acres the town currently owns.

The Town was awarded grants from both programs that would pay for nearly all the costs of the transaction however, the LMF program funds have not been released by the State of Maine. An e-mail communication from the LMF program (text below) has indicated that once funds are released, the Town will be reimbursed the full grant award. It is possible that the funds will not be released and that reimbursement may not occur.

“Dear Bob, 
Thank you for getting in touch and updating me on the status of the North Falmouth Conservation Corridor project and to the possibility of the town pre acquiring the project lands. There are now several round 8 projects that have gone ahead and pre-acquired  their properties. In keeping with our past practice over several funding rounds, the program certainly intends to move forward with all projects regardless of whether or not they have been pre-acquired. We are in the process of drafting a statement to be issued by the LMF Board at their September meeting, affirming their funding commitments to all the projects including those who have, through opportunity or necessity, proceeded with acquisitions.
If I can be of further assistance or if you have additional comments or questions, please do not hesitate to get back to me.
Sam”

If the Town does not use the $231,800 grant award from the U.S. Forest Service program by the end of the fiscal year, it will lose this grant. To bridge the funding gap and not lose the U.S. Forest Service funding,  the Town Council can consider a proposed funding package through a supplemental appropriation. The proposed local funding package, in the amount of $214,030, would include the following funds:

•    $169,616 from the Open Space Reserve Account (This account has a current balance of $177,500)
•    $19,414 from the Parks Acquisition Reserve Account (This would close this account leaving no balance. This fund was recently used, in the amount of $400,000 to help finance the Hurricane Valley Farm acquisition.) 
•    $25,000 from Unassigned Fund Balance

The order also suggests that any future reimbursement from the LMF fund should be transferred to the Open Space Fund and pay back the amount used from Unassigned Fund Balance.

Attachments include the following:

•    Map depicting the properties proposed for acquisition
•    Project budget