Swampscott board accepts easement to preserve property

SWAMPSCOTT – The Conservation Commission unanimously accepted a conservation easement that keeps a 6.5-acre oceanfront property from further development and opens a new nature trail to the public.”I couldn’t see a situation where that property was cut up into eight or nine homes,” said property owner Charles Wilkinson at the commission’s Wednesday night meeting. “We hope to have the public come and enjoy some of our lovely grounds.”The circa-1847 property on Littles Point Road is named “Blythswood” and contains 240 feet of ocean frontage. The property abuts Marian Court College.According to an easement summary explained by Town Administrator Andrew Maylor at the meeting, the owners can subdivide a 1.65-acre portion of the property – said portion containing a gardeners’ cottage and barn – one time in the future. Heirs also retain the use of the main house, which sits on the remaining 4.5 acres of the property. This remaining portion will also include a public nature trail. The town can also invite up to 50 visitors to the property four times per year, for free. The town also has right of first refusal if the property is ever sold.Maylor said that the easement has been approved by the state. Selectmen will vote on whether to accept the easement at their next meeting, he added. After the meeting, Maylor predicted a “minimal” tax impact to the town and said that it would be outweighed with the benefits of public access to the ocean. According to property records, the 4.5-acres of land – excluding buildings – that will be placed under easement are currently assessed at $1.72 million.”This limits the development potential, preserves the quality of life in the neighborhood and the historical value of the home, limits density in the area and provides access to a nature trail,” said Maylor Wednesday afternoon. “I think there is no loss here, only gain.”