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Mr. Robinson serves as the Executive Director of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation <br />Trust, Inc., a regional nonprofit supporting 32 local and regional nonprofits, including land trusts <br />and watershed associations across Cape Cod. His experience includes roles at Orenda Wildlife <br />Land Trust and the Native Land Conservancy in Mashpee. <br /> <br />His primary role involves facilitating organization and collaboration among partnerships and <br />nonprofits with similar property interests, utilizing State and Federal Grants and Private Funding. <br />Various approaches to purchasing open space are tailored to different towns: <br /> <br /> In Falmouth, Orleans, and Harwich, local land trusts work with towns to identify and <br />acquire parcels for open space, negotiating deals, appraising properties, securing funding, <br />and presenting proposals to town authorities. <br /> In Brewster, the Open Space Committee identifies parcels, with Mr. Robinson <br />negotiating deals and applying for State Grants on behalf of the town. <br /> Other towns like Yarmouth, Wellfleet, and Provincetown have distinct Open Space <br />Committees separate from Conservation Commissions or CPA Committees, with <br />negotiations typically handled by the town with Mr. Robinson's assistance in grant <br />writing. <br /> <br />Key principles include avoiding negotiations in public meetings to maintain confidentiality with <br />landowners. Land trusts operate privately, ensuring comfort for landowners during transactions. <br /> <br />Negotiation options include executive sessions to discuss strategies and property details before <br />initiating negotiations with landowners. Appraisals are crucial and should be conducted by <br />certified appraisers familiar with Cape Cod properties. <br /> <br />In response to community inquiries, Mr. Robinson recommends creating a Land Trust for <br />stability and long-term management, highlighting the need for an active Board committed to the <br />mission. He advises involving individuals from diverse backgrounds in project planning and <br />stresses the importance of ecological expertise in prioritizing properties. <br /> <br />Planning for a Land Trust in Mashpee involves identifying members, securing necessary <br />approvals, and obtaining operating grants, typically taking 12 to 18 months to establish a fully <br />functioning Board. Collaboration with local entities like the Native Land Conservancy and <br />Orenda Wildlife Land Trust is encouraged for support. <br /> <br />Discussions among committee members emphasize the benefits of establishing both a Land Trust <br />and an Open Space Committee, with the former being autonomous from the town. Mr. <br />Robinson's previous contracts with the Mashpee Conservation Department underscore his <br />expertise in conservation efforts and baseline inventory work. <br /> <br />Moving forward, Mr. Robinson will draft a scope of work for contract services with the town, <br />coordinating with relevant stakeholders to advance conservation initiatives and identify potential <br />acquisition properties. <br /> <br />5 pm, Ms. Zollo leaves the meeting. <br />2 <br /> <br /> <br />