Town of Eastham Open space Committee
Minutes from 10/28/09
Members present: Suzanne Haley, Robert Mumford, ,Frank Dobek, Robert Cook, Steve Gulrich, Steve Smith, Peter Wade
Staff: Rachel Hutchinson
Meeting was brought to order at 5:05 PM.
Draft minutes from the September 23rd meeting were reviewed. Mr. Mumford moved to accept the minutes with minor corrections and Mr. Cook seconded. All approved.
The Town Clerk did not have final minutes on file from several previous meetings and so the committee had to review the following draft minutes and make corrections: 11/19/08, 12/17/08, 1/28/09, 2/25/09, 3/25/09, 4/22/09, 5/27/09, 6/24/09, 7/22/09 and 8/26/09. All were corrected and approved by those present.
Ms. Hutchinson will finalize minutes and deliver to Town Hall to be signed by Ms. Haley.
The committee looked over proposed entry signs for Open Space lands. Some spelling corrections were needed and discussion about size and color ensued. Size will be matched pretty closely to the current Wiley Park sign, approximately 3’ X 5’. Color choice was brown with white letters. A contractor has not yet been chosen to build the signs.
Mr. Gulrich reported on the activities of the Friends of 1651. Blueberries, sassafras and 1 larger American Beech have been planted. There is an effort to help some of the plantings along by trimming sucker branches and pruning around them. One large beech was planted as a specimen tree to the north side of the driveway.
Some discussion ensued about the need to have a ConsCom review of trimming and weeding that takes place within wetlands buffer zone of 100 feet. Ms. Hutchinson said there is a standing order to maintain trails in the Town’s open space lands. Further review is necessary to determine whether there is a standing order on file for trimming, digging and planting in this zone.
Some discussion was had on whether the Open Space Committee had responsibility over this type of activity in these town lands. One thought was that the Cons Com had responsibility over what happened in these parks. There is a little uncertainty about this.
Mr. Dobek made a motion to support minimal trimming of branches and other growth in the overstory of some of the 1651 plants. The committee approved.
Due to rain, the visit to Hatch property was postponed and committee members were asked to visit the site before the December 2 meeting and evaluate for it’s value as a quiet rest stop along the trail and for the need for a bench with a vista of the pond.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2nd at 7 PM. There will be no meeting later in December.
A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Cook, seconded by Ms. Haley.
Respectfully submitted by,
Suzanne Haley
Recording clerk
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