Current Projects

Rauscher Farm

Rauscher Farm at 18 Clamshell Road is the last working farm in Clinton .  This 62 acre farm is in an area that has been in agricultural use for several hundred years.  Clinton was originally part of Lancaster and the entire area was included in the English purchase of 80 square miles from the Nashaway Indians in 1653.   The current owner, Fred Rauscher, and his family have farmed this parcel for the last 100 years.  Originally a dairy farm, Fred now raises cattle on the land.

A few years ago, Fred determined that it was time to sell the farm and began looking for a buyer. 

A purchase and sale agreement with Pulte Homes of New England , LLC was completed in August of 2005.  Pulte Homes agreed to purchase this 62 acre farm for $2.6 million. 

This farm has been classified as agricultural land under the terms of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 61A.  This classification offers significant tax benefit to the owner.  It also provides an option to the town to purchase the land if it is sold for any purpose other than agricultural use.  The Town of Clinton has exercised this right to purchase the property.

Clamshell Pond Area

Clamshell Pond was one of the last undeveloped areas of Clinton .  Recent single family and condominium projects have taken up much of the open space and farmland that once surrounded the Pond.  The Rauscher Farm is the last undeveloped parcel that abuts the pond.

Clamshell Pond borders the Mount Pisgah area.  This area contains many large, undeveloped tracts in Berlin , Boylston, and Northborough between the Wachusett Reservoir and the Assabet River .

There were originally three ponds in Clinton , Massachusetts – Clamshell Pond, Sandy Pond and Mossy Pond.  Sandy Pond is now underneath the Wachusett Reservoir.  South Meadow Pond and Coachlace Pond are man-made, created by damming South Meadow Brook.  See The Item, Friday, June 19^th, 1999 for additional information on Clinton ’s original ponds.

There are several prehistoric sites surrounding Clamshell Pond.  Over 50 historic sites have been identified.  Registration with the Massachusetts Historical Commission is in progress.

A primary goal of the Clinton Open Space Plan of 2000 is to secure the land around Clamshell Pond to insure that significant open space is secured and wetlands and present wildlife corridors are maintained.   The Town of Clinton ’s plan to acquire the Rauscher Farm as protected open space accomplishes this goal.

Endangered Species

The Clamshell Pond area is the habitat of two endangered species – the marbled salamander and the four-toed salamander.  It is also the habitat of yellow lady slippers.

Pulte Proposal

The purchase and sale agreement for the Rauscher Farm specifies that minimum of 180 Market Rate Units must have final approval for the completion of the purchase By Pulte Homes LLC.  Pulte has submitted a preliminary plan for 85 single family homes to the Clinton Planning Board.

Town of Clinton action

At our most recent Town Meeting, the Town of Clinton approved $200,000 for a down payment on Rauscher Farm.  This allowed our select board to exercise the town’s right of first refusal and begin the steps to put a plan in place to complete the purchase of this farm.

The Town has formed the Open Space Acquisition Committee to determine a plan to meet the terms of the purchase and sale agreement.

Mass Central Rail Trail

Beginning at North Station in Boston and ending in North Hampton, the Mass Central Line came right through Clinton. Many portions of the trail have been completed. We have made it a priority to explore how we can complete a portion that would connect with a portion in Berlin and Hudson to the east and Sterling to the west.

JFK parcel

We were given a small unbuildable lot in a recent subdivision project that would make a wonderful green space within a neighborhood. It would be a wonderful opportunity to promote awareness of our group through signage and a positive message about the importance of perserving our environment.

Water Street State and Town Conservation Land

Our group sponsors a RiverWalk every year to promote awareness of this large area of conservation land along the Nashua River to the north of Water Street. We would like to put up signage to mark the area and build a parking area for two or three cars.