The Town meeting March 8th will consider the purchase of land off Western County Road
A public information session was held at Town Hall in September of 2021 which included a discussion of the details of this proposal.
The Town of Penobscot has the opportunity to purchase approximately 192 acres of land on Western County Road, including 8,980+/- feet or 1.7 miles of frontage on Winslow Stream, for $101,000. This land has been surveyed, is unbuilt and mostly wooded, and includes many areas of wetland and habitat for many wildlife and plants. The woods on this land were recently harvested, but with a timber management plan, they could be harvested again in the future.
Approximately 144 acres of the land including the stream frontage would be under permanent restrictions called a conservation easement held by Maine Coast Heritage Trust, to prevent division or development. The conservation easement would allow for uses such as forestry, hunting and trail building. Downeast Salmon Federation will hold a ten foot wide right of way on this part of the property, to allow for ongoing access for fish run maintenance.
Approximately 48 acres of the land including some of the frontage along Western County Road would not be under conservation restrictions. In the future, the Town may need space in the future to expand municipal facilities, build a community center or library, install a fitness trail or create a new cemetery, and this area of the land would be available for those uses, if owned by the Town.
This opportunity is finite and only available to the Town. If the land is not bought by the Town, the land will be resold with the conservation restrictions in place, for a higher price.
Who is Maine Coast Heritage Trust?
In recent years, the Town worked closely with Maine Coast Heritage Trust on the fishway projects at Pierce and Wights Ponds.
Our Mission: Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) conserves and stewards Maine’s coastal lands and islands for their renowned scenic beauty, ecological value, outdoor recreational opportunities, and contribution to community well-being. MCHT provides statewide conservation leadership through its work with land trusts, coastal communities and other partners. For more information: visit www.mcht.org
