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Open Space Committee meeting minutes October 20, 2015
Meeting began at 7:30 p.m.
Members Attending: Kim Houde, Deb Cary, Rick Gardner
Guests Attending: Martin Sterman, Tom Sullivan
- Deb and Tom reviewed the status of the Fieldstone Farm project. Working from the map, Tom reported on the funding sources, and explained the various groups involved in the purchase.
- APRs - Approximately $450K from the state on the North and South side for preserving the open hay fields.
- Land Grant to Princeton with conservation restriction - Cost is $650K. Town will get $400K back from the state. Princeton needs to commit to the $250K. Goes to town meeting Dec. 15th.
Mass Audubon is directly contributing funds raised to the Campaign - of the $215K that has been pledged to date -~$125K is from a Mass Audubon special land conservation fund that was set up for acquiring land adjacent to Wachusett Meadow and going forward Mass Audubon will be soliciting more funds from members in the region and across the State to contribute - the project was recently featured in the state wide Connections magazine and prompted a request for pledge forms so we do expect more gifts from Mass Audubon members to follow but fundraising is being coordinated with the Princeton Land Trust and the fundraising efforts are definitely a team effort.
Limited Development Sites: For sale to the public. Several single home sites, one larger site where clustering is envisioned.
Approaching DCR and many other funding sources.
The Tom asked for an endorsement of the OSC. Motion made and seconded (Kim and Deb), and approved by vote.
Public forum is planned for tomorrow night to review this material with a larger group.
- Discussed idea of a Trails Summit. Invite town in to look over our ideas and plans, make suggestions etc. Everyone likes the idea of doing this over the coming winter.
- Map known protected land so it is clear. Collect maps of known trails.
- Post maps around the room and invite the participants to draw in trails that have not yet been discovered by our team.
- Present an overview of the TAP route ideas and solicit comments and suggestions.
- Avoid Vacation and holiday weekends, shoot for January or February. Maybe Sunday afternoon. After Super bowl Sunday and before school vacation?
- Publicize trail summit with postcard announcing meeting.
- Rick will facilitate meeting time via eMail.
- Need to manage the message: help us identify trails that we can use or that exist.
- Need to figure out best place to have it. Maybe TPS? Or Annex larger room?
- Martin Sterman (MDSterman@yahoo.com) is interested in helping with approach to DCR. Also interested in Biathlon idea.
- Deb is working on the Audubon section next to Mastermann property. Slowly working up the ladder within the Audubon organization.
- Kim met with Maressa Hay, who owns a parcel of land on the East Princeton-to-Krashes leg. She is Very much in favor of TAP using her property between Mosher and Norco club. Has some concerns with neighbors who may not support the project, but we think that this would be neighbors on Gleason Rd, not involved directly in the trail route.
- Rick also reviewed Kelton’s other action items from his email:
- Will follow up with DCR folks regarding the route through Mt Wachusett.
- Kelton has been in touch with owner regarding Krashes property off Thompson Rd. One concern is the question being asked by Stephanie of Janet Morrison. Deb will contact Janet to encourage her to agree to support the trail through the Krashes property.
- Has met with Todd Mastermann, who is open to the idea of a trail going through the north end of his property, but would like to hear more about the project before committing.
- Still waiting to hear from Kim Ferguson re Help with approaching DCR.
- Deb suggested that we should explore possibility on the Krashes to Boylston Park segment of going up by Howards and across the street, then down to Sam Cobb. This idea would cut out Thomas Prince School and Red Fox Farm, but it allows us to complete the route without Nimrod land, if necessary.
- Need to keep promoting group hikes/activities. We will all look for opportunities and invite each other to see the possibilities around town.
- Next meeting: November 10th at 7:30. Also plan December meeting for second Tuesday December 8th.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05
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