Lilac City closes on 66-acre easement

ROCHESTER — After four years of planning, the city closed Monday on the $1 million conservation easement of the 72-acre Gagne/ Nadeau Farm.

Sixty-six of the Rochester Hill Road farm's 72 acres will be permanently protected, with space carved out for a family homestead and land on Lowell Street, where the property extends, for future generations.

The Strafford County Conservation District, as the primary easement holders, will be responsible for ensuring the land remains protected. The city, as the secondary holders, also bears responsibility for preserving the easements.

The city used 30 acres of land across town, next to the water treatment plant on Route 202A, for the easement's necessary match.

The easement cost $1 million, plus closing costs of around $30,000, according to Councilor Jeff Winders, who witnessed the closing on behalf of the district, where he is a volunteer.

Federal and state funding sources accounted for $800,000 of the easement, with the rest coming from the city's conservation fund.