Open Space Committee Town of Eastham Minutes
April 24, 2013
Members Present: Frank Dobek (chair), Robert Cook, Steve Gulrich, Robert Gurney, Robert Jacovino, Steve Smith, Peter Wade.
Others Present: Nam Balmer, Assistant Eastham Town Administrator
Joseph Famely, Woods Hole Group
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM.
1. The minutes ofthe meeting of March 20, 2013were reviewed and approved as presented.
2. The committee reviewed and discussed the scope of work for the project known as ECLAP phase 2 (Eastham Conservation Land Analysis Project). This project is intended to provide·a comprehensive list to identify and provide detailed information on town-ovmed and private lands that have been acquired for, designated as, or are in some way protected for their natural area conservation and/or passive use open space values. The first phase identified many parcels, but others are known to
exist. The committee and Mr. Farnely discussed additional search criteria to identify any other parcels in town that meet this project's goals. After finalizing these details, the committee agreed unanimously to go forward with Phase 2. A motion to forward this recommendation to the Board of Selectman passed unanimously.
3. Sandy Meadows CPA Proposal- Town Meeting Article 25.
The committee's proposal to use Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to improve access (including handicapped) and trail signage at Sandy Meadows and better protect habitat there through trail routing was approved by the CPA. For funding to be approved, the proposal must be approved at Town Meeting. It is Article 25. Chairman Frank Dobek will represent the committee at Town Meeting and speak to this article.
4. Sandy Meadows Encroachment-Frank Dobek reported that Eastham Building Inspector Frank DeFelice researched the issue and found several minor and one major instance of private property owners encroaching on town-owned lands. This latter instance includes a full size basketball court on town land. Town officials are still discussing how to proceed in resolving this issue.
5. Open Space and Recreation Report-This report, which is filed with the Massachusetts Division of Environmental Management, Division of Conservation Services is due in February 2014. It was last updated in 2009. Maintaining a current, updated version of this report with state authorities is a prerequisite for applying for many state grants. Due to the time of night, and time needed to discuss this item, the committee decided to take it up at the May 2013 meeting.
6. Old Business - Steve GuJrich reported that this winter' s storms blew down a number of trees at Wiley Park, but there was no damage done to trees planted as part of the 1651 Forest Project. However, some of the red cedar trees are showing
stress.
7. New Business - Peter Wade (committee liaison to CPA) reported that in Wellfleet, CPA funds had recently been used to purchase a conservation restriction. CPA regulations now permit CPA funds to be used for· purchasing
conservation restrictions.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55PM,
Respectively submitted,
Robert P. Cook, Acting Clerk
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