TOWN OF STOW
Community Preservation Committee
face="Times New Roman" size="+0" color="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Present: Community Preservation Committee members: Bob Wilber (Chairman), Dave Walrath (Vice-Chairman), John Bolton,
Laura Spear, Corinne Green, Karen Gray, Kathy Sferra. Associate Members: Margie Lynch
Administrative Assistant: Deb Seith
The meeting began with quorum at 7:36pm.
BILLS & MINUTES
-left:48px;text-align:left;"> Liz met with Bill Wrigley (Town Administrator) and Rich Roggeveen (Town Building Inspector.)
· · ·VOTE: Dave moved to recommend a warrant article for Town Meeting to see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer the sum of Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500), or any lesser sum, from the Community Preservation Fund Reserve for Historic Preservation purposes, to be expended under the direction of the Historical Commission or its designee for the purchase and installation of a new fire alarm system in the Stow Town Hall; or to take any action relative thereto; or to take any action relative thereto. Laura seconded and approval was unanimous.
VOTE: Dave moved to recommend a warrant article for Town Meeting to see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer the sum of One Hundred Eighty Eight Thousand Dollars ($188,000), or any lesser sum, from the Community Preservation Fund Reserve for Historic Preservation purposes, to be expended under the direction of the Historical Commission or its designee for the purchase and installation of a fire suppression system for the Stow Town Hall; or to take any action relative thereto. Jon seconded and approval was unanimous.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECONNAISSANCE
Karen Gray introduced Robert McDonald, associate member of the Historical Commission, and Tonya Langly, president of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society.
Karen shared 2 artifacts with the Committee. First she shared a numbered stone that provides no information/history because it is unclear where it is from and how it was recovered. Karen expressed how important it is to recover historic artifacts in a responsible manor or risk losing all the history and information they contain. Next Karen showed a 3 legged magnifying glass that only has 2 legs. She likened the 3 legs to the 3 areas of the CPA and reminded the group that all 3 areas are equally important.
Tonya explained what is involved in archeological studies. She explained that archaeology is not a means to stop development; rather it advocates the need to systematically look at an area before starting any development. She explained that you don’t know what is buried until you look, and you need experienced people to do the looking. Tonya explained that a study would begin with Phase I. Reconnaissance Study lasting 2-4 weeks, and may continue onto Phase II. 6 weeks of Field Work. Tonya talked about different projects that she has been involved with. Some projects were examples of how a site can be ruined and important artifacts can be lost if archeologists are not allowed to gather information prior to any development. She also talked about the educational
component to archaeology and how education is a prime activity of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society. She explained that when artifacts are recovered and studied they can provide information about settlement and trading patterns.
Jon asked if there is any registered information about the site at Lake Boon. Tonya said that the site is a registered archaeological site and she believes it would be important to look at it.
Laura asked why the site has not been studied yet. Tonya explained that usually sites are left undisturbed until there is a threat of development. This can be because of a lack of funds or because the site is well protected and the longer it sits undisturbed, the better the chance that more can be learned as technology advances.
Kathy asked if there was no proposal for this site would Tonya still advocate for a study. Tonya said that she had not walked the property but if it is well protected by trees then she would probably leave it undisturbed and let technology keep getting better and better.
Someone asked how such a large parcel would be surveyed. Robert McDonald explained that first a grid would be done to determine where the disturbed/undisturbed areas are, and then a study would focus on the undisturbed areas. Robert McDonald also shared that he has an inventory of over 400 artifacts that have been found in Stow. He has examples of every time except the paleo years.
Robert said that the Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL) is one of the oldest archaeological companies in New England and Duncan Ritchie would likely lead this study. Duncan was raised in this area, has worked on other sites in the area, and is very interested in this parcel. Jon asked what Duncan’s availability is. Robert was unsure but said he could easily find out. He also mentioned that a survey should be done when the ground is somewhat loose.
Karen reported that the property is registered with the Massachusetts Historical Commission but she is unable to provide a map at this time. The registry needs paperwork stating that there is an approved archaeological project before they will release specifics about a parcel.
Tonya suggested that the CPC consider pursuing a town wide study. She said that other towns have received matching funds from the Massachusetts Historical Commission for town wide inventory studies.
The Committee had asked the Historical Commission to research why the archeological study did not pass at Town Meeting in 1999. Robert said that it was a very contentious Town Meeting with some very controversial issues. He felt that the study was turned down as a result of the negative atmosphere at the Town Meeting. He also pointed out that in 1999 there were no CPA funds to be used for projects like this. The vote was 76 in favor and 91 against. Robert said that there is a history of development issues in that area coming up and of the Historical Commission having to protect it. He feels that the reconnaissance should be done so that the Town knows once and for all what is there.
Tonya suggested that the Committee review the compliance rules and regulations from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the 950CMR 70.
Jon asked if the study would include any of the areas with existing fields (answer was no) and if there is a Phase III. Tonya said that Phase III involves data recovery. It was unclear as to how long data recovery could take.
Bob stated that, as a group, the CPC is very supportive of historic archaeological preservation, and he sees it as part of its mission. His main concern is having the CPC submit 2 opposing articles at Town Meeting. Bob explained that there is no formal development proposal for the parcel. There is a Master Recreational Plan being developed and the CPC is waiting to find out what the recommendations from that Plan are. The Committee strongly agreed that if any development plan is approved, the CPC would require that an archaeological study be done prior to any disturbance of the land. They mentioned having the Historical Commission possibly overseeing this part of the process.
It was unclear if the Historical Commission would pursue the archaeological reconnaissance if the Master Recreational Plan does not include this parcel. The Historical Commission will try to make this determination before the next CPC meeting on March 13th.
Kathy made a motion that any recreation proposal for the Pine Bluffs area, that would disrupt the site, would be required to conduct an archaeology study needed to protect the area. Laura seconded. The motion was withdrawn. The Committee agreed they would prefer to wait until March 13th for more information from Recreation for Stow (RFS) and the Historical Commission before voting on anything.
HISTORIC STONE WALL REPAIRS
G.H. Gledhill (Cemetery Committee)
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Laura moved to contribute $1500.00 (the amount requested for a town of Stow’s size in terms of CPA receipts) from general administrative funds for the 2007 Community Preservation Coalition Membership Dues. Jon seconded and approval was unanimous.
NEWS AND VIEWS
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