ELDRIDGE, RESOR PASS LEGISLATION TO BENEFIT SHIRLEY’S LONGLEY ACRES

BOSTON 7/1/2008 – Legislation sponsored by Representative James Eldridge (D-Acton) and Senator Pam Resor (D-Acton) has recently been signed into law by Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray.   The bill would allow the town of Shirley to establish a separate account, known as the Longley Acres Maintenance Fund, for use to preserve the Longley Acres Conservation Area at 27 Whitney Road in Shirley.

“I am proud that Senator Resor and I succeeded in helping preserve Longley Acres,” Rep. Eldridge said. “This legislation gives the people of the town of Shirley the opportunity to invest in its open space for years to come.”

With a lengthy legislative process where important matters often languish in committee for years at a time, Rep. Eldridge and Sen. Resor managed to pass this bill in the House and Senate in just months.

“With the timely passage of this special legislation, preservation of Longley Acres will continue to benefit the entire community,” said Sen. Resor.  “Any funds raised by volunteers at the working property will directly support its restoration and maintenance projects.”

The Shirley Conservation Commission and the Shirley Board of Selectmen supported the legislation and voted to submit the initiative to the Legislature for approval during a November town meeting.

“Many volunteers have spent countless hours and many residents have made purchases of plants, hay and books to support the Longley Acres Conservation Area,” Shirley Conservation Administrator Anne Gagnon said. “By passage of this bill, they will now be assured that their efforts and purchases will continue to be used for the support of this parcel. Many thanks go to Rep. Jamie Eldridge & his legislative aide, and to Sen. Pam Resor & her staff for assisting us through the legislative process.”

“I'm thrilled, that with everyone's help, we are able to maintain Longley Acres Conservation Area by ensuring that the work of the volunteers will be used to support the parcel,” added Denise Brauckmiller, Chair of the Shirley Conservation Commission. “This was a critical piece of legislation to help the community keep a piece of Shirley's history and open space available for future generations.”

The Longley Acres Conservation Area was acquired in April 2003 with funds from the Open Space Bond Bill.  The property consists of 70 acres, including forest, hay fields, a barn, and a farmhouse. Since acquisition, the parcel has been self sustaining, using volunteers to bring in hay and then sell that hay to pay for the upkeep of the property.  In addition to haying, the property is used as a research site by a local Montessori school and the Conservation Commission has held sheep herding demonstrations and various presentations on nature and the environment.