Sharon Adds 11.9 Acres to Town Forest
At a public hearing held on February 11, 2002, the Sharon Conservation Commission voted to purchase 11.9 wooded acres of land adjacent to the Robert P. Bass Memorial Town Forest from the Estate of J. Milton Street. The official closing for the property was on April 1, 2002.
“Milt Street was active in conserving land in the Town of Sharon and was an honorary member of the Conservation Commission,” stated Karen DeBonis, Sharon Conservation Commission Chair. “We were glad to be able to add his land to the town forest’s existing 864 acres.”
The woodland lot includes a portion of “Street Street,” the only access point directly into the northwestern portion of the town forest. DeBonis explained that in the past, Milt Street had granted permission to the Town of Sharon to utilize this private right-of-way. “This purchase adds to our town forest and secures a key access point for the Town of Sharon and its residents,” said DeBonis.
This land was purchased at its market value of $26,000 through Sharon’s Forest Fund. In order to preserve the town’s rural character and natural beauty, the Town of Sharon uses this fund to purchase undeveloped land such as the Street parcel. The fund is replenished via proceeds from selective timber harvests accomplished in accordance with a Forest Management Plan and Natural Resource Assessment.
Members of the Conservation Commission plan to continue clearing hiking trails in the forest this spring and will oversee a winter logging project on approximately 60 acres of white pine. Motorized vehicles, fires, trapping and camping are prohibited in the Town Forest.
For more information on the Robert P. Bass Memorial Forest, visit www.sharonnh.org/forest.html or call Karen DeBonis at 603.924.7886.
PHOTO: Left to right – Sharon Conservation Commission members Liz LaRose, Gina Goff and Chair, Karen DeBonis on “Street Street.”