Other Land Protection Definitions:

These terms are used frequently in discussions between BTA/BOLT and landowners. Please Contact Us > if you'd like to know more information.

Fee ownership

A Land Trust (like BTA/BOLT) has taken title to a property and will hold it as protected open space.

Assists

BTA/BOLT may work with one or more conservation partners, or the town of Boxford, to help protect a parcel of land, but does not own it at any time nor does it hold a long-term interest in this piece of land.

Chapter 61/61A/61B

Often called the "current use" tax program, this state legislation offers reduced property tax assessments to landowners who meet certain criteria for active forestry (Chapter 61), agriculture (Chapter 61A), or recreation (Chapter 61B). If a change in the use of such land is proposed, the municipality has the right of first refusal and can purchase the property by meeting a private buyer's bona fide offer. The town may assign its option to a nonprofit conservation organization like BTA/BOLT. Once notification of the proposed change and selling price are received, the town or nonprofit has 120 days to exercise its right to purchase and proceed with a plan that protects the majority of the land in its current use.