Land Trust Proposal–Informational Meeting on June 18

A special informational meeting will be held at 6pm on June 18 at the Monroe Town Hall.  The purpose of the meeting is to provide information on the Basin Pond Land Trust Proposal described below.  All Monroe residents are encouraged to attend.

Proposal for the town-owned land adjacent to Basin Pond:
The Monroe Selectboard and the Monroe Conservation Commission are proposing this approximately 350-acre parcel of town land be permanently preserved as a recreation and wildlife area by selling it to Coastal Mountains Land Trust.

Rationale:
The Monroe Selectboard and Monroe Conservation Commission believe this is a good idea for a number of reasons including:

1. It will ensure land and pond access for the enjoyment of our children, grandchildren and future residents of Monroe.
2. The land trust will assist in maintaining trails, parking, signage, boundaries, and any environmental issues that may arise.
3. The sale will generate needed income for our town.  

This proposal will be voted on by the citizens of Monroe.
The following warrant item will be voted on at the upcoming Town Meeting:
To see if the Town will vote to enter into an agreement to sell
approximately 350 acres of town-owned land adjacent to Basin Pond (Tax
Map 9: Lots 4, 5, 27, 34) to Coastal Mountains Land Trust for $335,000.00.
Coastal Mountains Land Trust will permanently conserve and protect public
access to this land.

About the Land Trust that is making the offer:
Coastal Mountains Land Trust is a non-profit land trust serving natural and human communities of the western Penobscot Bay Region.  More information on CMLT can be found here.

Planned Agenda for the June 18 Meeting*:

1. Introductions 
2. Slideshow (maps and photos)
3. Rationale for this proposal
4. Q & A – open for public questions and comments.

*Planning for this meeting is still ongoing and the agenda is somewhat subject to change.  The informational part of the meeting (1, 2, 3) will be kept to around 30 minutes so that residents will have ample opportunity to ask questions.