OPEN SPACE TASK FORCE MINUTES
Meeting of September 13, 2004
Meeting Called To Order: 5:37 p.m.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:54 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Herb Asplund, Marcia Banach, Pat Botteron, Louise Evans, Mike Gantick, Carol Heffler, Sue Larsen, Roy Normen, Betty Osborne, Karl Reichle
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Snow, Betty Warren
· Minutes from the July 12, 2004 were unanimously accepted.
· Heffler reported that Warren called her telling of ATV (all terrain vehicle(s)) encroachment on the Neiderwerfer Wildlife Sanctuary parcel. They are coming through the nearby power lines. Reichle responded that there would be a gate at the entrance/exit of the power lines and signs would be posted at the Sanctuary stating that motorized vehicles are prohibited on the property.
It was also mentioned that dogs are roaming freely on this property. Signage is to be posted that dogs are not allowed on this land. The resolution of this issue will be taken up at a later meeting.
· The Task Force will hold an open space/development rights workshop with the Town Council in the future. To gather information for this forthcoming workshop, Normen made phone calls to speak with Jim Gibbons at the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Services and members of the Department of Environmental Protection as to what state lands have been purchased for development rights and bargain sale property. He will share his findings with the Task Force at a future meeting.
The Task Force would like an expert on the above subject matter to give the presentation at this workshop. Names of persons with this area of expertise will be collected and further discussion will take place at a future meeting.
A study will be done on how much it cost the Town to pay for additional infrastructures, services and schools when housing is developed versus the cost effectiveness of open space. Asplund will do this analysis with assistance from Normen and Botteron.
· Gantick updated the members of the progress for the Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve Open House: Scouts have been building a fishing pier, the Rotary donated a large sum of money for a gazebo, Major Michael Donnelly donated a bench and the Scouts have made walking trails and will soon have bog bridges completed.
The Task Force’s major responsibility for the Open House on October 24th will be to run the refreshment booths that will also house information on the Town’s Open Space. These information centers will be located on the Sullivan Ave. and West Rd. entrances.
Botteron said she would speak with neighbor Len Bestoff, reporter for Channel 3 news, to see if he would consider covering this event. She will report back to Gantick.
Evans and Heffler suggested that individuals or groups who are interested in helping with the care of Town properties should be contacted. This is a consideration that will be explored further.
· A time and place have been scheduled for a walk of the Snow property located on Strong Road.
Next Regular Meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2004
| 
