MINUTES
Open Space Committee October 25, 2006 / 7:30 pm
Present: Judy Brainerd, Glen Collins, Laura Freeman, Sue Haley, Jeff Havlick, Sue Horton, Dave Read,
Liz Simmons and Katelyn Merrill
Approval of Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Sue Horton moved and Glen seconded to approve the corrected September 27, 2006 meeting minutes.
APPROVED: unanimously.
Land Acquisition:
Harris – Katelyn went to the property with Sheila and Gail from assessing. It seemed that the family was interested in a deal with the Town, but there is nothing definite yet.
Fellers/Old Farm – Fellers is on the market for the previously assessed value of $325K or thereabouts. Now it is currently assessed at $138K. It is and has been advertised as potentially developable land. There have been attempts to develop it in the past, but so far no one has followed through on trying to build on the property. Perhaps this property would be a good piece of land to acquire through the CPA. There is still time to get a CPA Application in by November 30th. It was decided that a letter will be sent out to the Fellers again reiterating our interest in acquiring the property and asking them to consider a CPA Application.
Harmes Way Properties– The Audubon has backed out of buying the Fletcher property because the price has since dramatically increased as the homeowner feels the property is developable. There are several properties on the market now on Harmes Way.
Review of Priorities for Purchase – We essentially know what we want for criteria in potential open space parcels. Dana (our new Americorp person) has started to update our old priority lists. That is a good starting point. How about a top 20 list? Glen suggested. This idea was received warmly. Perhaps we could also somehow simplify the list and ranking method.
Open Space Management:
Wiley Park Bridge Progress
The funding for the bridge has been approved. A couple of trees need to come down and a divet needs to be filled in prior to construction. Bids should go out in November. The design should be done by November 1st or thereabouts.
Wiley Park Clean up
The Town is going to buy a chipper. We will be able to chip the material and use the chips on the trails.
Signs/ Trial Markers
Dana, our new Americorp worker, will be looking at ideas, graphic companies, getting proposals etc for the interpretive signs. Dana will also be resurrecting the open space brochure idea. The trail maps will be updated for better accuracy as well. There are a lot of trail markers, they’ve been hung up and seem to be working well. The green grant sign is leaking and needs to be fixed.
Mutt Mitt Boxes
Where should the next mutt mitt boxes be put up? The one in Wiley Park has been filled three times already. They are a big hit. Discussion ensued with respect to mutt mitt boxes and if we have the money how about putting them up at all the trail entrances to the parks – that would be 7 more boxes. Volunteers are needed to keep the boxes full. Perhaps members of the Friends of the Arboretum or the new Eastham Dog Owners Association would be willing to volunteer.
Hatch Trail and Vista
We need a trail marker to show that this is public trail. Perhaps taking down the private property sign would help.
Old Business:
Open Space Committee Membership-
Open position is still not filled. Jeff Havlick is not interested in rejoining yet.
Open Space Management Plan-
It is close to being done. Dana likes this type of work, so she is working on the plan.
New Business
Recreation Committee
Liz Simmons is at the meeting to hear and discuss issues at Wiley Park that are pertinent to the Recreation Committee. Liz pointed out that many interests of the Open Space and Recreation Committee mesh with respect to Wiley Park. We have been asked to attend the next Recreation Meeting on November 14, 2006. Sue Haley volunteered to attend as the Open Space Representative.
1651 Forest
There was a meeting last week. The fall planting has occurred. Five large elm trees were planted. One specimen tree will be planted in the spring (as funding allows) possibly a cedar, beech or mockernut hickory. The tupelos and the beech trees previously planted are doing well. Dennis Murley has offered to bring in some beech trees to plant.
Conservation Commission
Nothing new to report. Leah Dower is a new Commissioner.
Community Preservation Act Committee
The Committee sent us a letter inviting us to submit an application for the CPA. Unless we end up submitting one for the Fellers property we don’t have any proposals at this time. There is a big meeting of the CPA tomorrow night to discuss projects, applications and needs of the Town.
This is Judy’s last meeting. A big thank you to Judy for her service as our chairperson. She will be missed very much! Orleans is lucky to have her!
Next Meeting: November 29, 2006.
Sue Haley moved to adjourn. Dave Read seconded. APPROVED: unanimously
Adjournment at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Laura Freeman
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