At the 2015 Duxbury town meeting, voters approved an article that authorized the Selectboard to "pursue acquisition of two parcels of land currently owned by the State of Vermont located at the end of Hart Road." The article goes on to state that the two parcels total about 169 acres, they would be designated as a town forest and the town would not compensate the State for the value of either parcel. The article passed unanimously.

The Planning Commission and Selectboard have been working with the State and the Duxbury Land Trust (which would hold a conservation easement on the property) for the last several months. We have made good progress, and the transfer from the State to the Town and Land Trust is likely to happen this year. A big part of the conversation is the wording of the conservation easement, which will define, in broad terms, how the property will be managed once it is turned over to the the town. The three parties have developed a draft easement, which the Selectboard will discuss in detail at a special meeting on Tuesday, February 2, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Discussion at this meeting will inform further discussion with the State regarding the terms of the easement before a final easement is reviewed and approved by the Selectboard. Duxbury citizens with an interest in the town forest and how it will be managed are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion. The meeting will be held in the meeting room at the town garage.

Oct 22, 2024, 6:30 to 8 PM

Oct 24, 2024, 9 to 10:30 AM

Oct 26, 2024, 10 AM to 1:30 PM