The Maxwell Conservation Trust has had, as one of its long term goals, to preserve the largest unfragmented 450 acre forest remaining in Scituate. This forest, in the West End of town, is significant habitat for wildlife, and is important to the water quality in both Scituate and Cohasset.

Over the last 7 years, the Trust has worked diligently with the Community Preservation Committee to arrange bargain sale purchases of parcels in the 450 acre forest. To date, 120 acres have been purchased at bargain sale (below market) rates and added to the other 100 acres already in conservation in this area bringing the total conserved area so far to 220 acres.

For the past two years the Trust has been working with the Hennessey family to help them explore ways of preserving as much of their property as possible for open space, while also meeting their fiduciary responsibility to the family. The Hennessey property adjoins the 40 acre Litchfield property, which was the last project that the Trust facilitated with the Community Preservation Committee. This purchase with CPC funds was approved unanimously at the 2006 Town Meeting.

The Hennessey property is another essential component in protecting this forest. Maxwell Conservation Trust has worked closely with the Hennessey family to develop a plan that includes selling the back mostly upland acreage (approximately 22 acres) to the town at below market rates. The Trust has been working with the Community Preservation Committee to facilitate this sale. The acreage would have a conservation restriction signed by the State and held by the Trust placed on it for perpetuity.

We’re very excited about this project, as it utilizes the Flexible Open Space bylaw to preserve as much conservation land as possible. It has been designed as a five building/ten unit development, built on only 7 of the 39 acres. It will be a low impact design, with reduced impervious surfaces and green building methods. Right now, the Hennessey family is working with the Planning Board to obtain approval for their plan.

The Hennessey family is to be commended for their dedication to the preservation of this important ecological system, and for designing a plan that incorporates preserving as much acreage as possible while still maintaining their fiduciary responsibilities.