Preserving the Swanzey Wetlands & Wildlife of Base Hill Road

Saving the wetlands and the wildlife of Base Hill Road is essential. If we, the abutters to this area, had known that the property was for sale back in 1996, we definitely would have bought it then. It was part of the Bardwell Farm foreclosure and was sold for just $37,000. This was a 10 acre hay-field, along with the 19 acre wetland where the New Run Brook flows into Ash Swamp Brook, is a crucial floodplain and freshwater environment that supports numerous aquatic species and amphibians.

The Swanzey Naeck brothers, who bought the property from CFX Bank, managed to install small storage units on the 3 acres of the southern portion of the land after two years of disputes with the residents and the town of Swanzey. Since then, we have endured years of noise, bright lights, and traffic, and people living in the units on and off.

In 2023 the Naeck brothers sold out the property to All Purpose

Storage, Patriot holding; company based in Las Vegas, Nevada, which has been buying properties throughout New England. They purchased it for the staggering price of 1.7 million.

As of 2024, we , the hardworking middle-class residents who have lived here for generations, understand the importance of this area to the local wildlife. This corridor is vital for animals moving between the wetlands and Yale Forest along the west side of Base Hill Rd. The 7 acre field use to provide hay for local farms. which has not been done since the new owners took over. The field serves as a crucial safe resting area for a various species.

All Purpose Storage was planning to build 40 commercial-sized storage and working bays on this field, which would devastate the wetlands and the negatively impact the residential homes some located just 30 feet away. Instead of an open field , we would face a 40-foot-high wall of metal, lights, and the constant coming and going of vans, trucks, semi-trucks day and night.

We have been fighting this proposed development for over a year, as it is entirely inappropriate for this location for the reasons mentioned above.

We need everyone's help to protect this area. The project is simply not suited to be 1/2 mile down a Class 5 road on the Swanzey end and 1 mile down form the Keene end. If we had known it was for sale, we would have at least tried to purchase it to protect and prevent any development. We are just average middle class or retired people trying to live a peaceful life, but for the past year, we have been stressed by this. An possibility that the town doesn't care enough about protecting property values or that this area needs to be rezoned to at least residential like the rest of Keene end is and this lot should stay Agricultural/conservation.

We need to buy this property to protect our homes, wildlife, wetlands, and the wildlife's natural corridor. Its the last open space in the area and should be placed under conservation protection, which requires time and money we currently lack.

Your Help is crucial in making this happen as soon as possible so that we can make an offer on the property and preservation of homes an environment. We ask that you share this message with anyone who cares about wetlands and wildlife. That s willing to donate to legal fees already incurred and to being able to buy this lot if we reach our goal. Any amount money would greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns about our efforts to protect the wildlife corridor and wetlands, please contact us thru the gofundme site. Any amount will help us save area for the future wildlife.