Holden Conservation Commission

Central Penobscot Regional Greenprint

2010-09-10T15:41:00.003-04:00

Holden, along with 12 other communities, is part of a regional open space plan called the Central Penobscot Regional Greenprint. The Greenprint, a Trust for Public Land, initiative, was completed a year ago. Representatives from each of the 12 communities met recently to review what had been accomplished using the Greenprint over the last year. Holden's Open Space Plan was featured along with the Bangor Land Trust/Bangor Trails Mapping, Brewer Waterfront Redevelopment Plans, and Orono Land Trust/Caribou Bog Penjajawoc Conservation Project.

To view the Greenprint mapping website go to http://tplgis.org/Penobscot_Greenprint/. A copy of the report may be obtained at the Town Office.

Open Space Plan

2010-09-10T15:32:00.002-04:00

In March, the Town Council approved Holden's Open Space Plan. It was developed through a series of public meetings, surveys, and committee meetings with the aid of Wright-Pierce Consulting. This plan outlines the vision, goals, and strategies for conservation and recreation in our community. It is an opportunity to:

Envision our future, see the "big picture"
Maintain Holden's rural character and quality of life
Provide for outdoor recreation
Protect natural resources
Support and supplement the Comprehensive Plan & growth management
Help secure funding for open space and conservation

Holden's open space plan is a critical element of our town's "conservation blueprint". It not only identifies priorities for protection, but it also guides where growth is most appropriate as well.

A complete copy of the document may be viewed at the Town Office. Copies of the document minus the appendices (due to size) may be obtained by request.

Do you know what a vernal pool is? What lives there?

2009-04-02T15:17:00.007-04:00

A vernal pool is a temporary shallow body of water lacking a permanent above ground outlet. It fills with water from the runoff of melting snow and spring rain. A vernal pool is often covered with ice in the winter and by late summer, is usually dry. Due to its periodic drying, it cannot be inhabited by fish.

Vernal pools are important because they provide a habitat for fairy shrimp, wood frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians. These little creatures need to spend part of their life cycle in a body of water where they will not become fish food!

Do you have a vernal pool near you? Go to http://www.vernalpool.org/ to learn more about what a vernal pool looks like and the fascinating creatures that depend upon it. If you have a vernal pool on your property, take special care not to destroy it or fill it in. You may also go to http://www.maineaudubon.org/conserve/citsci/v_guide.pdf to read the "Maine Audubon Society Citizen's Guide to Documenting Vernal Pools." This guide has a wealth of interesting information on vernal pools and their inhabitants.

Holden Community Learning Nature Trails

2009-02-04T10:55:00.011-05:00

Attention all snowshoers! The snow is deep and beautiful making the Nature Trails the perfect place to go.

They are located behind the Holden Elementary School off Rt. 1A (Main Rd.). Turn into the school driveway and proceed all the way to the back. There, you will find a parking area for the trails. Maps are available in the trailhead information kiosk located next to the parking lot. The hiking trails all originate from there.

The graveled walkway begins over next to the baseball field. Although it is now snow covered, this path provides a flatter terrain than the hiking trails.

Conserve Land & Reduce Your Taxes!

2008-12-18T10:25:00.004-05:00

The State of Maine has four Current Use Programs that can reduce your tax burden as well as conserve your land. One of these is the Open Space Tax Program. There is no minimum acreage required to join. It has four opportunities for land protection and tax reduction. They are:

Ordinary Open Space (land that is not developed) - 20% reduction
Permanently Protected (land that is covered under a perpetual conservation easement and cannot be developed) - 30% reduction
Forever Wild (land that is protected permanently under a conservation easement that requires the land to remain unaltered except for fishing, hunting, fire and disease prevention, or providing the opportunity for low impact outdoor recreation, nature observation, and study) - 20% reduction
Public Access (this allows public access by reasonable means) - 25% reduction

One or more of these categories can be used at one time with the tax reduction being cumulative. In other words, if your property met all of the requirements of the four categories, you would see a tax reduction of up to 95%.

More information may be found on this program in Property Tax Bulletin No. 21 which can be obtained either online or at the Town Office.

This programs carries certain restrictions and has penalties for withdrawal. If you are interested, please contact Carl Lowe, Town Assessor, to discuss the pros and cons of enrolling your property. Mr. Lowe is available on Thursdays from 1:00 to 5:00 at the Town Office (843-5151). You may also leave a message anytime during the week for him.

My Piece of Maine

2008-11-12T15:14:00.002-05:00

Brett Slater won $20,000 by winning the My Piece of Maine video contest sponsored by the Maine Association of Realtors. Most of the video footage (including a distant glimpse of Mt. Katahdin) was filmed in his backyard here in Holden. View video.