Mill Brook Open Space Survey
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Mill Brook Open Space
For several years, the town has been looking at ways to preserve the former Mill Brook & Traditions golf course property on Pigeon Hill Road.
Through a collaboration with the Trust for Public Land, a national not-for-profit organization, the town has protected nearly 95 acres of land for passive recreation, wildlife habitat, community character along with water quality & storm water protection purposes.
Funding Sources
The purchase price of $2.1M is in line with the professional appraisal prepared for the town and the Trust for Public Land. The town has been awarded a $1,086,000 grant from the State of Connecticut to help preserve this open space parcel. The grant represents 52% of the purchase price. This grant program is supported through fees paid on real estate transactions across the state. The balance of the costs are being funding through the town’s Open Space Fund and the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance.
Next Steps – Future Planning
The Town Council established a steering committee to help guide the creation of a recommended multi-year land management plan. The committee is comprised of one representative from the Conservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission and the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission as well as two at-large seats.
The majority of the land will be a combination of meadows and managed wooded areas. A trail network will be redeveloped along with a multi-year approach on stabilizing and restoring portions of the Mill Brook.
Plan elements include such items as:
- Overall mission and land management principals
- Layout of walking trails and public access points
- Options for clubhouse building (short and long term)
- Options for the single-family house on Mack Street
- Stabilization and restoration of the streambed & bridge crossings
- Estimated annual maintenance costs and capital related expenditures
In October the committee met and forwarded a draft recommendation plan to the Town Council. The Town Council approved the draft plan as presented during their 2/19/19 meeting.
Concept Plan
Millbrook Corridor