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Open Space Planning Committee
Minutes – February 11, 2009
Meeting at Town Hall convened at 8:30 a.m. in the lower level. Members present: Betsey Harris, Jack Lewis, Joe Cavanaugh, Anne Anable, Bruce Simpson, Ed Germain, Sterling Abram, Henry James and Sue Yarger. Absent: Bill Barker.
John Morris sat in.
The minutes of January 14 were approved with edits.
The petition article was presented and received on time. Thanks to those who obtained signatures.
The petition will be presented by one of the selectmen approached by the OSPC. The selectmen will make it clear that it is a petition presented by the OSPC. A powerpoint presentation may be created by the OSPC, if needed.
Questions that the presentation should cover: what is a Class VI Road? What is a Class A Trail? Need some history of Oxbow Rd.
Important points to cover: That the reclassification does not impact the abutting properties. (what is impacted?) Explain that the reclassification fits in with the larger vision of Dublin’s Master Plan. The reclassification allows access to Town-owned property. A sub-committee (Joe Cavanaugh and Henry James) was formed to develop a presentation based on strategy and benefits. It was suggested that they mark a copy of the Dublin tax map to clearly show the petitioned area.
It was noted that no mention of motorized vehicles was included on the petition; then pointed out that the warrant article could be amended to restrict wheeled motorized vehicles.
Land Summit Reviews:
Henry attended the Wetlands Mitigation talk, which covered mitigation requirements. We might be able to take advantage of funds in 2010: chapter 800 mitigation rules state that if you lose 1 acre, you must restore 1 acre (it can’t be 100 ft from stream/water).
Joe attended Taking Action on Conservation – overall it was a very good session, and well attended. Meade Cadot talked about an outreach program that is used in Hancock. NH Bill 342 – housing statutes. Affordable housing does not mean “housing for the poor” but more for teachers, police, firemen, etc. Think about adopting a more creative approach.
Anne attending Identifying Animal Tracks with a focus on conservation to raise awareness of the wild migrating animals who live in and pass through our lands. Some schools hold tracking hikes 4 times a year.
Betsey attended Priority sessions; back-to-back. It’s important to get people out on the land; lead hikes. Getting people out to see what is out there, and to understand what is important. How to set priorities. Walpole sets priorities based on GIS mapping. Swanzey lists areas with strategic values. Fitzwilliam has a wetland protection overlay and sets priorities based on popular support.
Jack reported out on his next step recipe. How to go about a process and what to do next. What kinds of aspects should we be looking at and how should we weigh them? He handed out a 4-page draft for us to review.
It was suggested that we add to the list:
What should not be protected? We can’t protect everything nor should we.
What land is more suitable for development.
On Appendix 1, priorities were combined and re-grouped. Historical/Archeological features was added.
Homework: Each OSPC member is to choose two areas, in Dublin, and using Jack’s “Next Steps” process, determine what the conservation value is.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2009
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Yarger
Secretary
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