Open space protection in the Town of Barnstable has become an increasingly difficult endeavor. Barnstable's many villages have developed at an alarming rate leaving open space hard to find.
Lindsey Counsell, chair of the Land Bank Committee, has been involved in land conservation for over twenty years. His work includes a variety of issues such as watershed protection plans and management plans for open space parcels. When asked about the most interesting property that the town has been able to acquire with Land Bank funds, Mr. Counsell immediately thought of the Hovey property.
Bought in 1999, the 25-acre property was purchased for $970,000. The property was deeded all the way back to the original owner, by the King of England. This deed has been passed through the family until finally being purchased by the town. The property borders on an estuarine river in the village of Cotuit and holds many breathtaking views.
Mr. Counsell's words of wisdom, "Act Now! It's not easy, but it's worth it. When you look back, you're always glad you did it." Buying land can be painstaking work; however, it pays off in the end. From 1999 to 2000, the Hovey property increased in value from $970,000 to $1.2 million. By 2001, the property was worth $5.2 million! A perfect example of "Act Now!"
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