Amherst Bulletin – Hadley accepts gift of 5+ acres near Conn. River

HADLEY – A small undeveloped and landlocked parcel along the Connecticut River off Hockanum Road is being accepted by the Select Board as a gift to the town, although there is no formal policy for receiving such properties.

With the support of the Conservation Commission, the Select Board approved the donation of the 5.35-acre site, which is crossed by a hiking trail but is also often underwater and easily accessible from city streets.

The property, in a neighborhood called Fort Meadow, is surrounded by state-owned, tax-exempt land and is placed under the “care, custody and control” of the Conservation Commission.

Tax Collector Susan Glowatsky told the Select Board that the land, valued at $9,000, belongs to Mary Krason of Easthampton, who bought it last year for $1, according to land records.

Randy Izer, a member of the special committee, expressed concern about the responsibility the city might have in acquiring the property.

“The state owns everything around it, and this should belong to the state, not the city,” Izer said.

Izer, who works as a surveyor, acknowledged that while he would welcome a survey of the land, it could be costly for the landowner, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

Molly Keegan, chair of the select committee, agreed that some form of land donation policy needed to be introduced.

In addition, there are various requirements to protect the city, such as surveying.

“I’m definitely in favor of a guideline and a checklist,” Keegan said.

However, Glowatsky said if a survey of the property is required, the landowner would likely not pay the associated fees and possibly also the property tax of about $100 per year. This could result in the land going into tax title and costing the city even more money through a foreclosure process that includes legal fees and notices.

David J. Fill II, a member of the special committee, said that even if the committee were to adopt a land donation policy, it would have the option of foregoing a land survey, giving flexibility to those who wish to donate land for conservation purposes.

Members of the conservation commission have said the land could be used as a bargaining chip with the state if the state wants to incorporate it into larger properties along the river.

In other business, the Board approved the creation of a new position for Human Resources Manager/Project Coordinator, rejecting the idea of ​​having that position concurrent with that of Assistant City Manager.

Keegan said the Collins Center for Public Management suggested adding this to the job description, but concerns were raised about responsibilities.

“It was not intended that this would be beyond the purview of many other department heads, as it turned out when we returned to the Collins Center,” Keegan said.

When the position is advertised, a salary of between $70,000 and $80,000 is expected.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at [email protected].