Fitch Pond Conservation Restrictions

In 2003, Gary Griffin, Trustee of the Fitch Pond Realty Trust, deftly orchestrated a

collaboration between the Town of Sterling Select Board, the town Conservation

Commission, and the Sterling Land Trust to place conservation covenants on 30

acres surrounding Fitch Pond.

Fitch Pond and its associated wetlands comprise over 100 acres – Sterling’s

largest and most remarkable contiguous wetland environment. Mr. Griffin

developed four building lots on the easterly and southerly side of Fitch Pond, and

in so doing established approximately 23 acres of wetland conservation land

which he conveyed jointly to the Sterling Conservation Commission and the

Sterling Land Trust. These four house lot ownerships each contribute to this

assemblage. Additionally, Fitch Pond remains in Fitch Pond Realty Trust

ownership, and is also protected under this CR and includes the ten-acre pond.

As with all privately held conservation land, the lot owners have agreed to uphold

the terms of the conservation restriction but are allowed certain controls to

access and privacy.

Fitch Pond is designated a Great Pond by the Commonwealth and thus is open to

use by the general public. Public access is a right - in this case on foot with no

provision for vehicular use of the private road used by these CR landowners with

dwellings on Great Pond Way. Please be respectful of these provisions and the

landowners should you choose to enjoy the pond and its beautiful surroundings.