Southwick Select Board decides against new protocol on chapter land sales
Southwick Select Board decides against new protocol on chapter land sales MassLive.com
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SOUTHWICK Select Board Rejects Changes to Right of First Refusal on Agricultural Land Sales
Introduction
The Select Board of Southwick has recently made a decision to maintain the current process of handling the town’s right of first refusal on agricultural land sales. This decision has significant implications for the town’s adherence to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Background
In accordance with chapters 61, 61A, and 61B of state law, owners of specific agricultural, recreation, and historical properties are eligible for tax breaks if they maintain the current land use. However, when these owners decide to sell the land to developers, they are required to give the town the opportunity to match the offer. Last summer, former town Agricultural Commissioner Maryssa Cook-Obregon proposed a change to ensure that all relevant town boards would be notified of available “chapter land” in a timely manner, allowing them to gather support for the acquisition.
Discussion and Decision
During a brief discussion of the proposal on August 26, Select Board member Diane Gale expressed her opinion that the proposal would only add unnecessary paperwork and burden to the town. As a result, the Select Board decided against implementing the proposed changes.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
- SDG 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
- SDG 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 2.4: Increase in the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and land management techniques.
- Indicator for SDG 11.7: Increase in the availability and accessibility of green and public spaces in the town.
- Indicator for SDG 15.3: Decrease in the extent of land degradation and increase in land restoration efforts.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | Indicator: Increase in the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and land management techniques. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities. | Indicator: Increase in the availability and accessibility of green and public spaces in the town. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | Indicator: Decrease in the extent of land degradation and increase in land restoration efforts. |
Source: masslive.com
