Here you'll find downloadable publications on a variety of topics of interest to Highands residents, from conservation options for landowners to highlights of the spectacular barns of the region.
Unless otherwise noted, the following documents are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Saving the document directly to your computer may be faster than reading it through your browser. To save, right click on the document you'd like and select 'Save As.' To order the print version, call 413.268.8219, or send a check or money order to the Highland Communities Initiative.
Landowner Publications | Highlands Buildings & Development | Highlands Regional Resources
Landowner Publications
Your Land, Your Legacy: Deciding the Future of Your Land to Meet the Needs of You and Your Family
UMass Amherst, the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership, and the Highland Communities Initiative are pleased to announce their newest publication "Your Land, Your Legacy: Deciding the Future of Your Land." The goal of this publication is to help landowners and their families plan for the future of their land in a way that that will successfully meet their goals and wishes. Though much attention has recently been given to the publically owned forests in MA, most of our forests are family forests, owned by thousands of families and individuals. 71% (or 1.2 million acres!) of these forests are owned by people that are 55 years old or older. In the coming years, woodland owners will need to make decisions about the future of their land that will have profound impacts on our forested landscapes and the benefits they provide. Download the pdf version (6.97 MB)
Chapter 61B Open Space and Recreational Land: Current Use Tax Program
The Chapter 61 B program is one of three current use tax programs that give landowners an opportunity to reduce their property taxes in exchange for providing their community with many public benefits, such as clean water, wildlife habitat, rural character, and local food and wood products. Interested landowners can choose the program which best fits their objectives and financial needs. Chapter 61 B is a good fit for landowners who take a passive approach to their land, but who still desire some management flexibility. HCI’s publication on Chapter 61B can help you choose if the program is right for you. Download the pdf version (4.12 MB)
Your Land, Your Financial Choices: Running the Numbers on Forest Conservation Tools
As a landowner, you may be interested in keeping your land in its natural state, but face financial pressure from local property taxes. There are several ways landowners can offset this carrying cost of owning woodlands: by increasing revenue, by reducing property taxes, or both—all while keeping your land undeveloped. You can find out about each of these options and how they might affect your finances in Your Land, Your Financial Choices: Running the Numbers on Forest Conservation Tools. Download the pdf version (800 KB)
Your Land, Your Choices: A Landowners Guide to Critical Decisions in Land Management and Protection
This booklet describes two of the most important choices landowners in the Highlands face: to cut or leave their trees, and to sell or protect your land. It also contains information about organizations and programs that are available to assist landowners, and includes case studies of 2 local families' decisions. Download the pdf version (1.26 MB)
Land Conservation Options
Edited by Wesley T. Ward
Find the conservation technique best suited to your land and your values. This 38-page guide outlines advantages and disadvantages of various temporary and permanent conservation tools, clarifies the legal and financial issues involved, and provides a list of resources. $6.50 per printed copy or download the pdf version.
Land Conservation Options Brochure
This 10-page brochure is a concise summary of the above book, Land Conservations Options. For multiple copies, please contact HCI.
Highland Buildings & Development
Barns in the Highland Communities
By Bonnie Parsons
Learn about the history of barn building, architecture, and get ideas for restoring and reusing barns, from HCI’s newest publication, Barns in the Highland Communities, by local historic preservation planner, Bonnie Parsons. You’re sure to gain a new appreciation for the region’s barns and the resourcefulness of the farmers who built them. $5 per printed copy or Download pdf version (1.46 MB)
Illustrated Commentary on Updating Subdivision Regulations in Massachusetts
By Wayne Feiden, AICP, with illustrations by Dodson Associates, Ltd.
This guide highlights what to include in subdivision regulations to protect the town's financial interests and rural community character. Learn what towns can and should require of developers, how to specify development that fits and functions well in town, and what kind of legal protections the town needs in permitting new development. Subdivision regulations are adopted by a vote of the planning board and do not require a town meeting vote. Download the pdf version (3.31 MB)
Building Your Highlands Home:
A Guidebook for Homebuilders in the Highlands Region of Western Massachusetts
by Mollie Babize
illustrated by Walter Cudnohufsky
This illustrated booklet provides simple guidelines for building a house that is sensitive to its rural setting. Building Your Highlands Home encourages newcomers and current residents alike to study and understand the Highlands landscape in which they are building and suggests ways to site and build a new house or addition that complements its local surroundings. Written and illustrated by local landscape architects. Download the pdf version (2.35 MB)
Architecture in the Highland Communities
By Bonnie Parsons
As you drive through the Highlands, you've undoubtedly noticed those special houses and buildings that stand out for their architectural beauty. Learn about the specific features that contribute to their character and trace the historical trends that influenced their construction. This guide describes features of architectural styles through the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries as they were interpreted in the Highland Communities, illustrated with many fine local examples. In the 38 highland towns, the local library, town hall, and historical commission will have a copy. $5 per printed copy or download the pdf version (521K).
New Edition Now Available Online!
Discontinuing Town and Country Roads
by Lynn Rubenstein and Alexandra Dawson
This useful guide explains the costs and benefits of discontinuing roads, and clarifies the legal requirements and process of discontinuance.
First print copy free.
A companion publication is available for download from The Trustees of Reservations' Putnam Conservation Institute:
ANRs and Ancient Ways
by Alexandra Dawson
This booklet helps planning boards answer the following questions: What is an “ancient way”? Is an “ancient way” necessarily a public way for ANR (approval not required) purposes? Does being an “ancient way” help qualify a private way for ANR approval?
Highlands Regional Resources
For more infromation about the Community Preservation Act, visit our CPA page.
Review of Fiscal Impact Studies Relevant to the Highlands Region of Massachusetts.
Prepared for the Highland Communities Initiative by American Farmland Trust, September 2001
Appendix I: Sources Contacted
Appendix II: Other Contact Sources
Appendix III: Table: Cost of Community Services Studies, National
Appendix IV: Table: Cost of Community Services Studies, Southern New England
The Future of the Highlands: Preserving Rural Communities and Landscapes in Western Massachusetts. Proceedings of the Highland Communities Intiative Conference of September 15, 2001.
