Conservation Easement Protects Ocean Access

Tom Ruskin has signed many documents in his years on the but signing the Blythswood conservation easement on Wednesday was special.

"This is my favorite signature," he announced to the room at Town Hall.

The commission's signatures and those of selectmen in two weeks will protect the 6.5-acre Blythswood property in perpetuity, said Town Administrator Andrew Maylor.

The conservation restriction granted by Frances Wilkinson provides public access to 240 feet of frontage on Massachusetts Bay at the Littles Point Road property.

It preserves open space by limiting development at the water's edge to preserve coastal views.

It protects habitat.

It preserves land in a historically rich part of town, located in the area of Marian Court College, where e spent summer days during his presidency.

The conservation easement also gives the town right of first refusal if the property goes on the market, Maylor said.

The goodwill demonstrated by the Wilkinsons left many in the room happy, even buoyant, on Wednesday.

The conservation grant came at no cost to the town.

Frances Wilkinson's grant continues the family tradition of property stewardship and is being done for the public good, the easement states.

The agreement also provides for public gatherings for up to 50 epode several times a year on the property, the town administrator said.

Maylor said the town could hold events — such as the Historical Commission's annual preservation awards — at the property.

Selectmen are expected to sign the conservation restriction on July 25.