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Open Space Planning Committee
Minutes - October 15, 2008
Meeting at Town Hall convened at 8:30. Members present: Present: Anne Anable, Ed Germain, Betsey Harris, Henry James, Joe Cavanaugh and Sue Yarger. Absent: Sterling Abram, Bill Barker, Jack Lewis, Mike Walker, Bruce Simpson.
The minutes of October 2 were approved with slight edits.
Joe reported out from the Land Conservation Leadership Training that he and Bruce attended, titled “Making the Case for Conservation in Your Community”. His initial impression is that the program is excellent with plentiful materials. The level of commitment and volunteerism is impressive with 2 to 3 representatives attending from each of the 15 towns. They covered:
The benefits of open space
The effects of growth
Community service costs are high
The guideline for permanently conserved lands is 25%
Each town should actively manage the town-owned lands
It was noted that Peterborough has ~80 potential open space clients in an outreach program that they actively contact throughout the year.
The next Land Conservation Leadership Training planned is “Intro to Land Conservation Methods and Organizations”, scheduled for 22-Oct. Anne and Sue are planning to attend.
Joe passed the Land Conservation Leadership Training binder to Sue and Anne. We may have to wait for Bruce to return from overseas before we obtain the 2nd binder. Sue and Anne agreed to obtain an extra set of materials for the 2nd binder.
Upcoming sessions of Land Conservation Leadership Training. Initial preferences are:
October 22: Intro to Land Conservation Methods and Organizations: Annie and Sue
November 5: Landowner Outreach: Henry and Sue
November 19: Conservation Planning and Project Evaluation and Selection: Jack, Bruce and Anne
December 3: Stewardship: Caring for the Land You Protect: Jack, Bruce and Henry
January 31, 2009: Land Conservation Funding: Ed, Joe and possibly more (a $20 fee applies here)
The marketing of the Dublin Open Space program is very important for the town, for future generations. We need to sell the dollars and sense about open space.
Betsey met with the CCP Steering Committee last week and they discussed what groups in town should be invited; she suggested that one member from the budget committee should be there.
There is no limit to the number of members that the OSPC can have. Discussing members, it was suggested that Mike Walker and Sterling Abrams be retired from the OSPC as they have not been able to attend due to their busy schedules. Liz Ober and John Morris have agreed to join the OSPC but were unable to attend today’s meeting. Betsey spoke with Matt Tolman regarding the OSPC and he seems to be receptive to land protection; they will meet to talk more about the program.
Terms were discussed for the OSPC. Each member of the OSPC should sign appointment papers which would give us liability protection. Names of the OSPC members will be given to Jeannine who will prepare appointment papers. Terms were determined as follows:
Ed Germain – 2 years
Joe Cavanaugh – 2 years
Henry James – 1 year
Anne Anable – 1 year
Sue Yarger – 3 years
Jack Lewis – 3 years
Liz Ober – 3 years
Betsey Harris – 1 year
Bruce Simpson – 2 years
Bill Barker – Alternate
Should the OSPC have a budget? What should be included? CIP, trust fund, expendable fund, bonding, cap reserve, dues/training, expenses, maps, mileage? For the first year, it was determined that the budget should be between $500 and $750.
Betsey agreed to call and find out how to get new maps
Land discussed: the Hicks land, 200 acres off of Peterborough Rd., a wooded section perhaps being looked at by developers. Ed agreed to speak with Carol Ogilby regarding the sale. What is being planned for 12 acres of land that Tom Blodgett has off of Meryman Rd. Anne agreed to speak with Steena Auchincloss regarding the property.
All OSPC meetings will be on a Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. The future meeting schedule:
October 29, November 12, December 10.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Yarger
Secretary
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