MINUTES
Open Space Committee January 25, 2006 / 7:30 pm
Present: Judy Brainerd, Glen Collins, Laura Freeman, Katelyn Merrill, Dave Read
Sue Haley and Sue Horton
Approval of Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Dave moved and Glen seconded to approve the January 11, 2006 meeting minutes.
APPROVED: unanimously.
Land Acquisition:
Nothing new to report.
Open Space Management:
After the Storm Wiley Park Cleanup:
Judy, Glen, Katelyn, Henry, Jim and Pete walked Wiley Park to discuss long term plans for the park. There is money to fund the cleanup from the storm. This is good news.
The County has funds available for fire management efforts. A Forest Fire Management Plan will be prepared to address areas in town that are concerns with respect to downed trees, debris etc. There is a lot of debris in Wiley that needs to be pulled out because it is a big potential fuel source. Discussion ensued with respect to the on-going Turpentine beetle issues and the fire management plan. The County will get our Forest Fire Management Plan once it is completed and then we will be eligible for the funding. There is approx 20K in funding at the moment. The Forest Fire Management Plan funding will be an ongoing source of some money for maintenance and cleaning up debris but it is not a solution for the storm cleanup.
Sue Haley remarked on how much cleanup has already been done and how much better it looks. Peter and Americorps have been working really hard. Sue Haley said in determining how much should be cleaned up there should be a balance of “Keep it Natural” and making sure it is safe.
MOTION: Glen moved and Dave seconded that we request Kaitlyn to write a letter or meet with Sheila to deliver the Committee’s request to get the funding to get Wiley Park cleaned up now so that it will be available for use by summer and to ensure that it is safe. APPROVED: unanimously
Wiley Park Bridge Progress
ADA Variance:
The appeal has been filed.
Bridge Final Design and Bid Process:
Glen has the bridge plans. Joe Bianchi prepared the plans. They are just about done except for tweaking a few notes here and there. The plans look great – lots of good details. With the final plans in hand we can submit it to contractors for bids. Katelyn will give the final plans to Sheila next week.
Old Business:
CPA Application:
Discussion ensued with respect to the details of the application. We will pull the Friends of the 1651 Forest from “additional revenue sources” as they have already designated a $500 contribution under the bridge grant. It does not seem necessary to list them as a revenue source for this application, leaving them more money for specimen trees and planting. There has to be a contact person to present the application at Town Meeting. Laura was volunteered. Kudos to Judy for doing a great job on the application, Sue Horton stated it sets a high standard for other future CPA applications.
New Business
Rename Nickerson Parcel? – Many people do not know where this property is in town. Many people think of Brewster when they hear “Nickerson” Park. Discussion ensued with respect to the overall title “Glacier Pond Parks” which will pull together all the linked parcels including the “Mumford” and “Meservey” properties.
More Committee Members
We need more people to join the committee. Apparently we are supposed to have a member on the Critical Planning Committee, according to the newspaper. Judy called Martin McDonald who said that we don’t have to attend every meeting. They meet in the afternoon and most of our committee members work and/or are already on several committees. Joanna Stevens was recommended as a potential Open Space member. Judy called her but she is already very busy. She recommended Bob Cook. Sue Haley knows him, he works for the Seashore and is a wildlife expert. Judy will call him and see if he would be interested.
1651 Forest
Sue Haley reports that they might want to donate some mutt mitts including the labor of the stocking etc. They do not believe that there was any damage from the storm to the planted trees. The Friends is moving ahead with labeling the trees with prepressed labels. Henry will provide the info that will go on the labels. They will be numbered and ID’d with a species name. Tupelos will be planted in the spring and maybe red cedar and maple if funds allow. Highbush blueberry shrubs may be purchased with left over money from the George Abbott memorial fund. Any shrubs purchased with memorial funds will not be planted in formal arrangements.
Conservation Commission
More revetments discussions and Steve Smith is a new commissioner.
Community Preservation Act Committee
Per Sue Horton and Glen it is full speed ahead – they meet next week and will evaluate the applications received.
Next Meeting: February 15, 2006 at 7:30 p.m., if necessary - otherwise March 1, 2006.
Sue Haley moved to adjourn. Sue Horton seconded. APPROVED: unanimously
Adjournment at 9:15p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Laura Freeman
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