Tolland State Forest Expanded With 840-Acre Purchase

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TOLLAND, Mass. — The state has bought up 840 acres of forest and fields in Tolland to add to Tolland State Forest. The $3 million purchase will create a 5,000-acre preserve just over the border in Hampden County.

The parcel includes an 81-acre lake and extensive forest habitat. The acquisition, which greatly expands Tolland State Forest, is the largest state land acquisition since 2008 and was completed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation this week.

"What we protect is just as important as what we build," said Gov. Deval Patrick in a statement. "In pursuing this opportunity, the commonwealth turned an economic downturn to its advantage, preserving a beautiful forest at a great price to taxpayers, while increasing the conservation legacy we are leaving for future generations."

DCR purchased 782 of the 843 acres in Tolland from Twining Lake Properties Inc. for $3 million in capital funds – significantly less than the land's estimated value of $5 million. The property was being offered at $6.95 million for the development of more than 200 building lots. A conservation restriction on an additional 61 acres was conveyed to the agency at no cost, protecting the property from development in perpetuity. Equal the size of 17 Boston Commons, the parcel was scheduled to be sold by auction last fall, and DCR worked closely together with the sellers, Tolland officials and other parties to secure the property.

State environmental officials say the property is unique in its interior location, pristine condition and undeveloped lake shore.

"Large, unfragmented tracts like this one support wide-ranging wildlife species such and bear and moose and reduce the stress of habitat fragmentation, a significant threat to endangered and threatened wildlife species," said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin in a statement.


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The Twining Lake tract includes approximately 2,700 feet of frontage on the Farmington River; more than 6,000 feet of frontage on the shallow Twining Lake; existing trails for pond access and wilderness-style recreational opportunities; habitat for a variety of large mammals, and interior forest nesting bird species, four hilltops forested with a variety of hardwoods, pine and hemlock, and a fast-flowing, rocky stream leading from the lake to the Farmington River.

It is designated a "Critical Natural Landscape" on Fish & Game's BioMap 2, representing the largest, and least fragmented forests in the state.

"This is wonderful news. I applaud the DCR and the governor for their continued commitment to preserving and protecting our natural beauty," said Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, whose Berkshire district adjoins the forest. "When we lose these precious lands, they are gone forever."
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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