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Bet Zimmerman Smith and Patrick Smith are working hard to protect the rural character of Woodstock. The Rocky Hill Refuge is dedicated to Bet’s late husband, Doug Zimmerman. The open pasture will be maintained for agricultural use.

 

 

Woodstock 

farmland 

saved from

 development 

WOODSTOCK — Woodstock residents Bet Zimmerman Smith and Patrick Smith recently donated a 58-acre property to the Wyndham Land Trust. The land, now called the Rocky Hill Refuge, sits on the highest point of Rocky Hill Road in Woodstock and is a combination of agricultural field and forest. A 12-lot subdivision had been approved on the lot some years ago, but Bet and Patrick were able to buy the land and convert the subdivision back into open space that will be protected into perpetuity by the land trust. 

Zimmerman believes converting this property from residential use will save Woodstock taxpayers money in the long run: “Scores of empirical studies indicate that, instead of leading to a reduction in property taxes, residential development results in increased property taxes. Homeowners need community services like roads, police, and schools, and the costs keep rising. 

 “We will have reserved life use of the property—a great concept that enables us to continue to work the land during our lifetimes.  Plus, the federal tax deduction for giving land to a non-profit organization like the Wyndham Land Trust offers an impressive bonus. It’s a win-win situation, and I would encourage other property owners who want to protect their land to speak with the land trust.

“The property used to be part of a turkey farm and still contains a scenic meadow over rich farm soils.  We want to support local agriculture, so the meadow will continue to be leased to a local dairy farmer. Haying it provides food for local cows and maintains the area as grassland habitat.”  

Other members of the Woodstock community expressed their gratitude for the time and expense that Zimmerman and Smith expended on the project. “On behalf on the town Open Space Committee I want to thank Bet and Patrick for their gift,” said committee member Jeff Stefanik. “It is this type of long-range thinking that is helping preserve Woodstock as the kind of place where people want to live and raise a family. Dedicating land to agricultural use helps maintain our strong farming business structure. Once we lose that connection with farming, it’s gone forever.”

“Some people don’t understand why Patrick and I would make an investment like this,” Zimmerman added. “As Jane Goodall once said: ‘You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.’  

“After our time is done, the land trust will maintain the refuge as open space forever. Patrick and I consider ourselves fortunate to have been able to preserve this land for current and future generations of people, plants, and animals.” 

An old logging road running through the property provides a peaceful walk on level ground. Dogs must be kept on a leash to avoid disturbing the wildlife. A dedication ceremony in honor of Bet’s late husband, Doug, will be held on the property in the spring of 2017.

The Wyndham Land Trust now preserves 2195 acres in more than 50 preserves across 10 towns in northeastern Connecticut.