OPEN SPACE TASK FORCE
Minutes of the Meeting
October 3, 2011
Attendance: Pat Botteron, Sue Larsen, Jeff Folger, George Caye, Herb Asplund, Roy Normen, Louise Evans, Betty Warren, Dr. Saud Anwar
Chairman Pat Botteron called the meeting to order at 5:37 pm.
Public Participation
None
Acceptance of Minutes
Minutes of the September meeting were approved with a correction to withdraw the assistance given to Jeff Folger on the map.
New Business
Heritage Day was a success. The people attending liked the map and the GIS book. One page needs to be corrected but all in all it was easy to use and helpful in locating properties. Gary Bazzano spoke with Pat Botteron about the use of snowmobiles on Open Space. This was not well received by the members.
Jeff Folger will be printing more of the Open Space Master Plan and will include the new properties acquired since it was last done.
Pat Botteron said a letter to the editor was printed about the proclamations to Mike, Karl and Jeff.
Herb Asplund inquired about the land across the street from the firehouse. Jeff said it was privately owned and was being used for soccer lessons with the potential of being a Greek senior citizens center.
Pat Botteron said she read that South Windsor was rated 3rd in a medium size town for best places to live. She said that Open Space was part of the criteria.
Old Business
The bylaws needed to be changed to reflect the Ordinance going from 136 to 162(Dec.6, 1999). Betty made a motion to make the correction. Louise seconded the motion. It was unanimous.
Herb asked for a copy of Ordinance 162.
Dr. Anwar said he had been asked about the benefits to having Open Space. What is the return of investment? It needs to be explained in simple terms. Betty said we should have a flyer done up to explain it and Jeff said he would be glad to do it and then mail it with other town mailings to save cost. Dr. Anwar asked if there is a formula for determining the amount of Open Space to the population. Jeff said no, there isn’t. Jeff said he could quantify what South Windsor has by using GIS. Dr. Anwar asked about the relationship of Open Space and a larger mosquito population. Jeff said there was and that he was looking at several possible solutions including dragon fly larvae. Jeff said that mosquito breed more in suburban areas.
Pat reported on Property Updates: 765 and 625 Sullivan Avenue are still for sale. The Matulis property is in probate. The Audubon Society still hasn’t decided but there was speculation about an organic farming center. The Gorski property is on the town council agenda in November. Cornerstone property is still in litigation. The walking trails near the Hartford Hospital building may be an Eagle Scout project. The old firehouse was appraised again and it was lowered to $300,000. The town is looking again at an animal control facility. We currently pay $20,000 but the service is not worth it.
Jeff is working on the property owners’ meeting for either Nov. 15th or 22nd. The location will be at the Friends Room in the Library. Jeff has a few people he has contacted to speak and the names of two attorneys were given to Jeff. Betty had concerns that SWLPAC be included. Jeff said definitely.
Dr. Anwar asked about the possibility of a linear park near the CT. River in the near future. The owners of the property are not willing to go along with this idea. Right now, it is in an unimproved flood plan area.
Other Business
Our next meeting will be November 7th.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue W. Larsen
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