Seaport Property Town Purchase Natural Resource Inventory

The ERT is currently working with the town of North Stonington's First Selectman by providing assistance in reviewing a parcel of land being considered for town purchase.The 105.23 acre Hewitt Property is currently owned by Mystic Seaport. It is located at 386 Norwich Westerly Road (Route 2).The land was originally deeded to Mystic Seaport with restrictions of open space and recreational use. If not kept by the Seaport it reverts to the Town of North Stonington with restrictions. The Seaport wishes to sell to property to the town. The town is very interested in acquiring the property and has no development intentions. The restrictions could not be changed without approval of CT attorney general and the probate courts.The property has several buildings including an “old New England Farmhouse” (the Hewitt House), and the former Rosie’s Diner (Dewdrop Inn) with a failing septic system. The property is also the site of community wells, for the town schools, Holly Green Condos, two 100+ room hotels and Kingswood Development, leased by the Southeastern Water Authority. The Shunock River flows through the site and a dam creates Lewis Pond. DEP has conducted an inspection of the dam. The property contains forest, fields and wetlands. Great Plains Cemetery is located on the property. The town is requesting a natural resource inventory to assist with their decision to purchase the property and to serve as an information base for management and stewardship plans if an acquisition occurs. Specific areas of concern include: water quality and water supply, sewage disposal, pond and river ecology, wildlife habitat and management, forest resources and management, farmland preservation, dam condition, and historic significance. Basic natural resource information is also required on geology, topography, soils, wetlands, and aquatic resources.