The below letter was sent to Stephen Casey, chairman of the House Committee on Housing & Municipal Government regarding proposed House Bill 6283, found here. A letter in opposition to the same bill can be found here. On Tuesday, May 6, the committee recommended the measure be held for further study
Dear Representative Casey and Committee Members:
The Town of Burrillville respectfully submits this letter as testimony in support of House Bill 2025 – H 6283. At their meeting of Wednesday, April 24, 2025, the Burrillville Town Council adopted a resolution requesting that legislation be submitted to the General Assembly to amend Chapters 59 and 65 of the Public Laws of 2000 by changing the name to Burrillville Land Conservancy. A copy of the resolution is
attached for your convenience.
Chapters 59 and 65 of the Public Laws of 2000 established a public land trust for the Town of Burrillville and is still a viable entity, however it holds the same name as a private land trust who later assigned itself the same name without consulting or concurrence with elected Town leaders.
Elected officials are more accountable to the local residents. Transparency will be enhanced because a public land trust will follow State open meetings and public records laws.
The Town, per se, has the resources and capacity to acquire property if and when it becomes available verses other private entitities.
Members of the (private) Burrillville Land Trust spoke at a meeting of the Burrillville Town Council in March. One member said “We do feel that a municipal land trust would be wonderful. The more land preserved, and water, wildlife preserved the better.” And another Burrillville Land Trust member said “We need to work together. If you want to make a municipal land trust, fine, the more land conserved the better.”
The Town of Burrillville respectfully urges the General Assembly to pass this bill.
Sincerely
Michael C. Wood
Town Manager, Town of Burrillville
