Scarborough board backs land trust transfer of conservation parcels

The Parks and Conservation Land Board voted unanimously on Sept. 24 to recommend transferring ownership and conservation easements on a slate of town properties to the Scarborough Land Trust. The vote followed a debate over whether one parcel on Tibbetts Road should be set aside for possible affordable housing, which the board declined to do, saying housing questions belong before the Town Council and other committees.

Key points

• The board voted unanimously to recommend the transfer of ownership and conservation easements as requested by the Scarborough Land Trust in its Nov. 1, 2025 letter.
• Chair Steve Zamoreski proposed pulling the roughly 70-acre Tibbetts Road parcel out of the bundle to explore a small affordable or workforce housing component, drawing pushback from members who said housing is outside the board's conservation charge.
• Members Jessica Sargent, Noah Perlick and Beth Armstrong argued the board should review the package strictly for conservation value and let the Town Council weigh other uses.
• Town Manager Tom Hall said the Housing Alliance's interest is appropriate but should go to the council separately, and noted the town's property disposition policy calls for input from various groups.
• A resident commented on concerns about public access and possible new parking or trails on a marsh parcel; the land trust said current access and use would not change.
• The board scored each parcel against its conservation criteria, adjusting acreage figures and adding points for habitat, wetlands, wildlife corridors and recreation links.

Next steps

• Zamoreski will draft a cover letter to the Town Council emphasizing public benefits such as stewardship, invasive species management and permanent protection.
• The board plans to move its Nov. 12 meeting to an early December date, with Dec. 3 mentioned; Randy Hogan will email the group to confirm.
• Hall said a separate parcel being explored for athletic fields and conservation could come before the board early next year.
• The board discussed but tabled adding a scoring category for foraging and firewood collection.

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