Frequently Asked Questions   Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?   A: Your donation is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law.    Q: What type of organization is the Hull Land Conservation Trust?   A: The Hull Land Conservation Trust is a Massachusetts Chapter 180 non-profit corporation. It is a federal tax-exempt 501(c)3 public charity.   Q: Who will own the land?   A: How land is protected is unique to every parcel, depending on the wishes of the sellers and the sources of funds.  If The Trustees of Reservations is awarded a Conservation Partnership Grant for the Chatham Street entrance to the Weir River Woods, it will purchase a Conservation Restriction to be held jointly with the Hull Conservation Commission.  The Hull Land Conservation Trust would continue to own the Chatham Street property.    Q: How is the Hull Land Conservation Trust managed?   A: The Hull Land Conservation Trust is managed by a Board of Directors.             The Trust bylaws state, “The total number of members of the Board of Directors shall be a minimum of 9 and maximum of 13.  The Trust membership shall elect a minimum of 5 and maximum of 13 members.  The HLCT Board of Directors may include one appointed member each from the Town of Hull Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and Weir River Estuary Park Committee to a maximum of 4 Town-appointed members. The board shall choose its officers, including president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary.  All members of the board of trustees must have a residence in Hull.             “The members of the organization shall hold an Annual Meeting between June 1 and September 30 that will include the election of the members of the Board of Trustees.  Members shall be given at least two weeks notice of the Annual Meeting.  Vacancies on the Board of Trustees may be filled at the Board's pleasure throughout the year, and ratified by membership vote at the Annual Meeting.”    Q: How will the Chatham Street property be paid for?   A: The Hull Land Conservation Trust purchased the Chatham Street property with a mortgage from the Hingham Institution for Savings, private loans, and donations.  Donations and a grant from the Sheehan Family Foundation have allowed the Trust pay down the mortgage and loans and pay for interest.  If The Trustees of Reservations purchases a Conservation Restriction, which has been appraised at $149,000, ther remaining mortgage and loan amounts will be paid for.   Q: What are the terms of the mortgage provided by the Hingham Institution for Savings for the Chatham Street property?   A: The Hingham Institution for Savings has provided a short term mortgage at 7% interest for the Chatham Street property.     Q:  How does the Land Conservation Land Trust choose properties to protect?   A:  The Land Trust is guided by the Hull Open Space and Recreation Plan, including the Weir River Estuary Land Protection Plan.  The Estuary Land Protection Plan ranked 152 parcels of undeveloped land in Hull along the Estuary according to 1) current level of protection and 2) whether the land has desired features, including: ·        Scenic value ·        Being at the edge of the Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) or a salt marsh ·        On or along a connecting path ·        Kayak access potential ·        Near Estuary Center ·        Salt marsh ·        Contiguous habitat ·        Geological or historical value ·        Potential restoration of former marsh ·        Fresh water wetlands ·        Large property or part of a large property The highest priority properties in the Land Protection Plan are privately-owned undeveloped parcels that are threatened by development and have five or more desired features.   Thank you for creating a network of people to care for Hull’s land, including envisioning the Weir River Estuary forever wild.