Lincoln Select Board endorses right-to-farm bylaw, debates Umbrella land protection mechanism

LINCOLN — March 7, 2011 — Lincoln Select Board endorses right-to-farm bylaw and splits on how to permanently protect Umbrella farmland. The board on March 7 signaled unanimous support for an Agricultural Commission bylaw modeled on a state template adopted by 114 Massachusetts towns, and will formally vote March 21 ahead of Town Meeting. Conservation Director Tom Gumbart recommended a conservation restriction over a state agricultural preservation restriction for the 22-acre town-owned Umbrella parcel plus two abutting land trust parcels, citing 60-to-120-day state review delays and APR resistance to public trails. Member Sarah Mattes pushed back, noting the McDowell APR brought $700,000 at roughly $10,000 per acre and arguing "I just want to see the strongest possible protection for agriculture for that particular piece." The board also unanimously authorized annual amphibian-migration road closures on Conant and Lexington roads.