Max Tracks Newsletter Spring '07
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The purchase of the 40-acre Litchfield parcel, approved unanimously by voters at March 2006 Town Meeting, has been completed! After 9 years of working toward preservation of the Litchfield parcel, that goal became a reality for Maxwell Conser-vation Trust on January 30, 2007. The property became official Conservation Land in the Town of Scituate. It was preserved using Scituate CPA funding and a contribution from the Cohasset Water Dept. towards a Conservation Restriction (CR). The perpetual CR is held by Cohasset Water Dept. and Maxwell Conservation Trust. Part of the Litchfield Preserve falls within Cohasset’s watershed, and the Cohasset Water Commissioners were pleased to participate in this cooperative venture with Maxwell Conservation Trust and the Town of Scituate to help protect the watershed.
       With the addition of the Litchfield Preserve, there are now approximately three miles of hiking and passive recreation trails to the North of Clapp Road on either side of Bates Lane in the town’s largest forest. A person can walk for 2 or more hours and not see the same place twice as this preserved area now totals 220 acres. There are two
public access points: one is at Bates Lane and the other is at the junction of Cedar and Clapp Roads, across from the Mt. Hope Building. Parking is available across the street from each trail entrance (see map, right). Scituate Eagle Scout Sam Brigham did a terrific job creating the entrance to the Litchfield Preserve, and constructing a handsome kiosk which will house maps. Trust members, with Scituate Conservation Commission approval, are currently working on marking these trails, and completing maps that will be available at the kiosk. Thank you to all that made this a reality! We hope you will enjoy this place of beauty in our town!

The Maxwell Conservation Trust’s first annual Jump, Jive and Wail for Trails fundraiser was held on November 5, 2006 at the Mt. Blue Restaurant in Norwell. Almost 200 people attended, and $25,000 was raised for the Trust! Through the very generous donations of the community, we
had an amazing silent auction and raffle. The incomparable sound of Bellevue Cadillac blew our guests away, and many danced their feet off!
       A special thank you to all our generous corporate sponsors, including Bellevue Cadillac, Bergsten Music, Dauphinee Auto Body, Mt. Blue Restaurant, Rosanno Davis, First Parish Garden Center, Pilgrim Bank, Rockland Trust. We could not have been successful without all our supporters and volunteers. Thank you to all who made this a great success!
Save November 16th for our next Jump, Jive and Wail for Trails!
1: “The Professor” wails on his ukelele; 2: “The Count” takes a solo on the Melodica; 3: Bellevue Cadillac at full throttle; 4: Marlin and Karen Hawthorne cut a rug; 5: Silent Auction treasures on display; 6: Peter Kelly-Detwiler announces the winners; 7: Penny Scott Pipes calls “Raffle Tickets, Anyone?”; 8: Julie Foley, Ron and Mary Goodwin, and Austine Frawley; 9: the crowd buzzes as Raffle Winners are read; 10: Gary Anderson, with his sister-in-law Laura; 11: Scituate author/ artist Dean Morrissey; 12: Nick and Connie Noon; 13: Scituate artist Sergio Roffo; 14: Eliot & Connie Beal with Chris Morrison; 15: Co- Founders Wayne and Cynde Robbins; 16: June Lippard and Wayne Robbins, Jr.; 17: David and Sherri Dauphinee.
Lawrence "Chick" Gates
In Memorium
In February 2007, we lost Chick Gates to leukemia. Chick Gates was called, with great affection, the “Mayor of North Scituate”, and he certainly was that to this community. Chick was an extremely kind and caring man that touched the lives of many. One of Chick’s visions was to preserve some of the open space in town. When the Maxwell Conservation Trust was started in 1998, we talked with Chick about it, and had his full support. Chick was an Executive Committee member of the MCT, and his wisdom and community spirit often guided the group. He will certainly be missed.
The Maxwell Conservation Trust is a local 501 (c) 3 non-profit based in Scituate. The Trust’s mission is to preserve open space, protect the watershed, preserve habitat, and create areas for passive recreation for all to enjoy. What we accomplish will be the legacy that we pass on to our children, and so far, with our members’ help, we have orchestrated the preservation of over 116 acres of conservation land. That land is now available to you all. The Trust has grown from a small group to a membership of almost 400. Wouldn’t you like to be part of this group that has proven it can get the job done? We need your support to continue preserving the legacy! Please become a member, or renew your membership today!
We love to see the kids on our Hikes! Sometimes it’s a bit too far for those little legs tho’. So let’s have a kid length walk, come back and jump in a castle, drench local heroes in a dunk tank, play some games and have a Family Fun Day! Lunch of hot dogs and the fixins’will be offered. June 16th, from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. at the Mt. Hope Improvement Society, Clapp Road and Cedar Street. The Scituate Recreation Department’s West End Walk Series was a huge hit last Fall, so we’ll be doing it again this Spring starting April 4. Call the Recreation Department to sign up for these guided walks, led by MCT Executive Committee member Penny Scott Pipes. The Fifth Annual “Carl Pipes Memorial Golf Tournament” to benefit the Maxwell Conservation Trust will be held in September, date TBA. A great way to spend a day with friends! For information call Penny Scott Pipes at 781-545-2909. The 2nd Annual Jump, Jive and Wail for Trails Fundraiser will be held on Friday, November 16th at 6:30 pm at the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset. Bellevue Cadillac will again get you to your feet and keep you dancing! Save the date!!! If you would like to help with or donate for this event, please contact Cynde Robbins through our web site or by phone, at (781) 545-4167.