Brooklin 
Recent Press Releases — July 15, 2008
"Window on the Harbor" Protected by Conservation Easement Gift
A conservation easement donated to Blue Hill Heritage Trust will permanently protect the view from Main Street in Blue Hill across an open field to the waters of inner Blue Hill Harbor. Located opposite the Blue Hill Wine Shop and the “The Meadow” shop on the eastern end of Main Street, the field and the view are well- known to all who walk, bike or drive by.
Donated by the landowners, Tony and Nancy Butler, the easement prevents any structures from being built on the five acre protected area and provides that the field and other vegetation will be managed so as to maintain the view from Main Street. It will ensure that the public “window” from the village to the harbor that the Butlers’ land provides will remain open, for residents and visitors and future generations to enjoy. It will also help maintain the character of the inner harbor enjoyed by boaters as well as users of the Town Park.
The Butlers have owned the property for decades and have been long-time summer residents. As they considered the future of this land as part of an estate planning process, this seemed like the right time to give something back to a place that means so much to them.
“We are very happy about this,” said Nancy Butler. “We love Blue Hill. It has been a big part of our lives. We hope this will help protect the character of the town.”
“What a gift to us all!” remarked Jim Dow, the Trust’s Executive Director. “This is one of those small special places in our landscape that add to the quality of our life here, and that are often taken for granted until they are gone. I have been asked countless times if this field and its view are protected. Now, thanks to Tony and Nancy, I can at last say ‘yes’!”
Ellen Best, a local attorney and former President of the Trust’s Board of Directors who assisted with the development of the conservation easement on the Butlers’ land was thrilled by the result. “This was one of the most important parcels of land in the village to protect. Personally, I treasure that open space and that view.”
The five acres of land covered by the conservation easement remains private property, which the Butlers continue to own. No right for public use of the property was granted.
In accepting the easement, the Trust assumed responsibility for enforcing in perpetuity the legally binding restrictions on future use of the property that are described in the easement.
Blue Hill Heritage Trust is a local, non-profit, membership-funded land trust serving the Blue Hill Peninsula. Founded in 1985 by area residents to help protect the Peninsula’s special character, it works with interested landowners to protect properties that have special conservation significance by acquiring ownership or holding conservation easements. To become a member or for more information, contact the Trust at its office at 258 Mountain Road in Blue Hill or call 374-5118.
More Press Releases
- August 20, 2009
Landowners and Blue Hill Heritage Trust Offer Rare Glimpse of Pristine Pitch Pine Woodland - June 1, 2009
BHHT Patten Stream Preserve awes native plant enthusiasts - July 28, 2008
Opening of New Trail Section on Blue Hill Mountain - June 17, 2008 – Bangor Daily News
Blue Hill: Land trusts poised to buy, conserve island (PDF 84K) - June 10, 2008
Blue Hill Heritage Trust Receives Grants for Conservation Planning
