The question facing Mattapoisett voters tonight is being asked more often in towns along Buzzards Bay and around Massachusetts. As more money becomes available from the state, I think you'll see more communities looking at this type of activity.
Communities see it as a way of planning for the future, a way to control growth.
The trust, a non-profit group, helps local, state and federal governments acquire land for conservation. At the request of Marion selectmen, the group spent eight months negotiating the purchase of land on Hammett's Cove, which voters approved in February. In many ways, Marion is leading the way in land acquisition. The town already has an open space plan in place, qualifying it for grant funds. It also prepared a list of dozens of parcels around town it may consider buying, ranking each based on several criteria.