SVT Accepts CR on Acton Property

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549 Main Street, Acton. Photo courtesy of the Acton Water District.
549 Main Street, Acton. Photo courtesy of the Acton Water District.

A 57-acre property that protects important water resources for Acton residents has been permanently protected with a conservation restriction (CR), thanks to a collaboration of the Acton Water District, the Town of Acton, and SVT.

On July 18, the Water District granted the CR on the scenic property, which is located at the corner of Main and Brook Streets, to the Acton Conservation Commission and SVT. By permanently protecting this land from development, the CR provides protection to the town water supply, the Nashoba Brook corridor, and some important wildlife habitat, while also providing public access. The property, known as “549 Main Street,” is traversed by the historic Isaac Davis Trail and sits adjacent to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. 

The Town of Acton purchased the CR for $1 million to offset part of the $4.9 million that the Water District paid for the property in December 2023. Acton voters had approved the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for the CR during their Town Meeting in May 2023.

SVT supported the project and urged our members to approve this use of CPA funds. We now co-hold the CR with the Conservation Commission and will annually monitor the land to ensure its ecological integrity, water supply resources, and public access are permanently protected.

“The successful protection of this property was several years in the making,” said Meredith Houghton, SVT Senior Land Protection Specialist. “We are grateful to have supported our partners at the Acton Water District and in the Town of Acton on this project, and we want to acknowledge the contributions from the Acton Conservation Trust, the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), and the Conant family, all of which made this collaborative effort possible.” 

Meredith concluded, “SVT was delighted to champion this important project, and we look forward to helping to care for these important resources.” 

Read more about this project.