Open Space Committee Minutes Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Members Present: Kelton Burbank, Kim Houde, Deb Cary, Karen Rossow
Members excused: Jim Samdahl, Phil Grzyb
Meeting began at 7:35 p.m.
Princeton Open Space and Recreation Plan discussed. Deb brought the current state guidelines and her own copy of the 2005 plan. Karen took the plan with the intention of getting it scanned at Kinko’s or a similar business. Will distribute electronically as soon as possible so we can all work on it if need be. It must be done within 2012.
Mid-State Trail group will have an event this coming Saturday (September 8th) to officially open the bridge and re-routed trail. Bridge needs to be stained before winter to protect the wood. Gravel ramp and poles in place. Okay as service project for scouts but not sufficient for an Eagle Scout project. Kim will see about any possible scout volunteers. Neighbors have responded positively to the new bridge.
We have to put in plantings before winter as well per Conservation Commission. Deb will contact Doug Williams and Steve Stimpson about physically doing it and we can send out an email for volunteers when we have a date. There is funding available for the plants. Current erosion issue caused by people putting their kayaks in the river by the bridge. Princeton Land Trust is responsible for managing the broken gates nearby.
We will request the Board of Selectmen to present a commendation to Doug Andrysick for his extraordinary efforts in this project.
The OSC will divide into two sub-groups for the trails issue. The first will include Deb, Jim, Karen and Doug and will catalog existing trails. The second will include Kelton, Kim and Phil and work on potential connections of trails, beginning with the Mid-State Trail as the keystone trail in Princeton and eventually including connecting as many as possible.
Some discussion involved the uses of the trails. It is unanimous within the group that motorized vehicles are not passive and should not be used on trails used by pedestrians. The intent and/or mission of the property owners will have to considered. Kelton noted that even on properties with a responsibility to preserve ecosystems there have been some compromises with the mountain bikers whereby a single trail is allowed for that sport, such as Mt. Greylock and Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley property.
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