Millbrook discusses ways to save open space
Speakers urge joining Greenway

By Michael Woyton Poughkeepsie Journal April 18 , 2005

MILLBROOK -- Concern over open space brought Millbrook residents to hear conservation experts talk about how to preserve it.
Millbrook Matters, a community group, hosted a roundtable discussion last week on open space and farmland protection.
Matt Zieper, research director for the Trust for Public Land's conservation finance program, said more communities are letting voters decide on raising taxes to provide money for land protection.
The trick is knowing how much people are willing to spend and making sure the ballot language is clear, Zieper said.
State and county governments, he said, are ''looking for more towns to emulate Red Hook to provide their own funding.''
''I want my grandchildren to enjoy Millbrook as much as I did,'' state Assemblyman Patrick Manning, R-East Fishkill, said.
''There are places for development and there are places to keep open,'' Manning said. ''We know where they are. The key is planning for the future.''
Loan was cleared
In October 2003, town residents approved a $3.5 million loan to fund a farmland protection program.
Rebecca Thornton, president of the Dutchess Land Conservancy, said conservation easements are one way to preserve open space.
An easement, she said, ''is a legal restriction between a landowner and conservation organization or municipality that spells out what can happen on that property in perpetuity.''
Landowners who protect their land can receive tax benefits or, if funding is available, money from the sale of development rights, Thornton said.
All the speakers said participation in the Hudson River Valley Greenway was vital to securing funding for open space protection.
''There is money to be accessed out there if you join the Greenway,'' Manning said. ''That might be your first step.''
Millbrook is not part of the state program that provides technical advice and funding for land use projects that seek to preserve natural, cultural and recreational resources.
Supervisor Florence Prisco said the town has always been wary of any organization that might take the decision-making process away from them.
''I'm convinced now that's not the case,'' she said.
Millbrook resident James Van Alen said it was time for the town to join the state program.
To protect open space, ''we are going to have to deal with Greenway,'' he said. ''I don't see any reason not to.''
Michael Woyton can be reached at mwoyton@poughkeepsiejournal.com
Copyright © 2005, Poughkeepsie Journal .
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MILLBROOK -- Concern over open space brought Millbrook residents to hear conservation experts talk about how to preserve it.
Millbrook Matters, a community group, hosted a roundtable discussion last week on open space and farmland protection.
Matt Zieper, research director for the Trust for Public Land's conservation finance program, said more communities are letting voters decide on raising taxes to provide money for land protection.
The trick is knowing how much people are willing to spend and making sure the ballot language is clear, Zieper said.
State and county governments, he said, are ''looking for more towns to emulate Red Hook to provide their own funding.''
''I want my grandchildren to enjoy Millbrook as much as I did,'' state Assemblyman Patrick Manning, R-East Fishkill, said.
''There are places for development and there are places to keep open,'' Manning said. ''We know where they are. The key is planning for the future.''
Loan was cleared
In October 2003, town residents approved a $3.5 million loan to fund a farmland protection program.
Rebecca Thornton, president of the Dutchess Land Conservancy, said conservation easements are one way to preserve open space.
An easement, she said, ''is a legal restriction between a landowner and conservation organization or municipality that spells out what can happen on that property in perpetuity.''
Landowners who protect their land can receive tax benefits or, if funding is available, money from the sale of development rights, Thornton said.
All the speakers said participation in the Hudson River Valley Greenway was vital to securing funding for open space protection.
''There is money to be accessed out there if you join the Greenway,'' Manning said. ''That might be your first step.''
Millbrook is not part of the state program that provides technical advice and funding for land use projects that seek to preserve natural, cultural and recreational resources.
Supervisor Florence Prisco said the town has always been wary of any organization that might take the decision-making process away from them.
''I'm convinced now that's not the case,'' she said.
Millbrook resident James Van Alen said it was time for the town to join the state program.
To protect open space, ''we are going to have to deal with Greenway,'' he said. ''I don't see any reason not to.''
Michael Woyton can be reached at mwoyton@poughkeepsiejournal.com

Copyright © 2005, Poughkeepsie Journal .

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