Grant causes some headaches in Clinton.

Byline: Julie Grady

CLINTON - You might think an extra $353,600 would be great news, but it seems to be provoking some unexpected quandaries for the Conservation Commission.

Wednesday night at the meeting of the commission and its Open Space Sub-Committee (OSSC), it was revealed that the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) has awarded up to $353,600 in state Self-Help Assistance to the Rauscher Farm Project (see a related story, page 1).

However, the acceptance of this grant does demand that Clinton has "no outstanding issues ... regarding any pending conversion of protected open space."

This would include the pending negotiations with Nestle over the Wekepeke Reservoir.

According to the grant confirmation letter, the EOEEA insists that the town come to a "mutually agreeable conservation restriction" with the state concerning the Wekepeke Watershed Lands.

With Nestle waiting, Conservation Commission members are concerned. Selectmen could be apprehensive about enforcing any new restrictions at this time and could decide to forego the grant altogether, they said.

If the selectmen do decide to pass on the self-help grant, the Conservation Commission has to put together an open space management plan. There would still be a great deal of options to consider, like the potential purchase of the Rauscher Farm without that funding, commission members said.

While the Conservation Commission does not have decision-making power in this case, it can serve in a more advisory role. And commission members said they intend to inform selectman of their concerns.

Commission members said that one of the biggest misconceptions about this grant is that it's free. In actuality, it costs over $263,000: $13,000 in appraisals and another $250,000 paid by the state, as well as advertising fees, and the amount of time and effort put into the application process.

There are also debatable financial consequences. If the town rejects the grant, it may be liable to reimburse the state the $250,000 already spent on the Wekepeke area.

Another concern would be future grant opportunities with the EOEEA. John Woodsmall III, chairman of the Conservation Commission, said there is a small pool of grant money with a large pool of applicants. The EOEEA can have its pick; if one winner isn't willing to comply, then there are many others that would.

But, keeping the promises of the voters and taxpayers is a prominent concern of the Conservation Commission.

According to commission members, this would-be "hot political issue" should have a suitable outcome for Clintonians.

OSSC member Phil Duffy summed it up when he said, "Whichever way is in the best interest of the town, but it should also try to be an environmentally appropriate way."