Proposals made to conserve land, upgrade Swifts Beach, Hammond School

The Wareham Land Trust has proposed using over a million dollars from the Community Preservation Fund to conserve nearly 20 coastal acres; while town officials have proposed spending more than a quarter of a million dollars from the same fund on upgrades to Swifts Beach and the Hammond School.

The Community Preservation fund contains just under $4 million. The committee, which manages the fund, accepted all three proposals on Feb. 12 but voters will have the final say on spending the money at the upcoming Spring Town Meeting.

The Wareham Land Trust asked for $1.2 million to purchase and conserve 19.37 acres on Cromesett Road. The land, which is owned by the Gleason Family Trust, is wooded and filled with salt marshes. Most of the property is in a flood zone, however, it would be possible for a developer to build 12 houses on the land, if it were not conserved.

“It’s getting sold," said Wareham Land Trust Treasurer Nancy McHale. “Whether it goes for development or conservation is up to us being able to raise the funds and save it for the benefit of the town.”

If development were to happen, “that would significantly fragment the habitat and it would prevent the ecosystem functions from being able to happen,” said Wareham Land Trust Executive Director Alexandra Zollo.

The property filters run-off and its salt marshes absorb a significant amount of carbon dioxide. Salt marshes in general trap greenhouse gases at a rate 10 times greater than tropical rainforests, according to the National Ocean Service.

“We all know Wareham is pretty vulnerable to flooding and habitat loss,” Zollo said. “With sea level rise and climate change in the mix we are looking for ways to help fortify and lessen the extent of damage in the long run.”

If purchased, the Wareham Land Trust would manage the property and install informational signs, build a parking lot and maintain the existing trails.

Zollo said the trust will be applying for grants, totaling upward of $300,000 which, if received, could help offset the cost of purchase.

Community Preservation Committee Chair Patrick Lester said that the Wareham Land Trust and the town have a long-standing beneficial partnership, with the trust having a history of returning and reimbursing funds it receives from the town.

Town Administrator Derek Sullivan proposed spending $200,000 from the Community Preservation Fund on upgrades to Swifts Beach. The project, which is still in the early stages of development, primarily relates to the end of Swifts Beach Road after it passes Wankinquoah Avenue.

Sullivan described the approximately 200-foot strip of asphalt as “road to nowhere.” The proposed project would replace the asphalt with a six-foot-wide “porous walkway.” The project would retain a drop-off area at the head of the walkway as a place for vehicles to stop briefly. The current plan does not include new parking.

The proposal also includes the installation of mobility mats along the beach to provide access for wheelchair users.

Several benches would also be installed as part of the project as well as a stone sign marking the entrance to the beach. After the asphalt is removed, new sand will be brought in and the surrounding area will be restored.

The Swifts Beach Citizens Group and adjacent neighbors have expressed support for the project.

“It's a really beautiful spot and it's one of the best amenities in the town, but it's very inaccessible” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said construction would not begin until fall 2025.

The Community Preservation Committee also accepted Sullivan's proposal to allocate $60,000 for assessing the exterior of the Hammond School in Onset.

The town recently replaced the roof of the building and Sullivan said it is now time to determine what else needs attention.

“This is a pretty important building,” Sullivan said. "And this would be the first step in coming back for a much larger ask.”

The Community Preservation Fund is replenished annually through a surtax on property valued at over $100,000.