Rutland Conservation Commission unanimously backs Dolan Farm conservation restriction for Nipmuc Tribe

Conservation · Meeting of July 7, 2026

Rutland Conservation Commission votes unanimously to support Dolan Farm conservation restriction and advance it to the Select Board. At its July 7 meeting, the five-member commission heard a presentation from Helen Castles of the Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust and Ite Santana of the Chabunga Nipmuc Tribe on a proposed conservation easement covering farmland and woodland at 122 Pleasantdale Road. Under the plan, the tribe would purchase the land at a reduced value while the Jordan Dairy Farm continues to operate the fields; a forest management plan honoring Nipmuc cultural resources would be developed with private forester Mike Morey and a University of Massachusetts professor.

Castles described the property as holding prime Paxton series farmland soils in production since at least 1800, indigenous cultural significance, and consistency with Goal Three of the town's open space plan. The commission also voted to issue an order of conditions for 199 Glenwood Road with standard special conditions, extend the order of conditions for 16 Emerald Road by three years, issue a partial certificate of compliance for 101 Glenwood Place Extension, and issue a complete certificate of compliance for a 2002-era order at 189 Maple.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,685 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of July 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.