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Open Space Planning Committee
Minutes – April 8, 2009
Attendees:
Betsey Harris, Joe Cavanaugh, Ed Germain, Henry James, Diane Schott, Jack Lewis, Bruce Simpson, John Morris (secretary pro temp)
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with minor edits.
The first order of business was a discussion of the Oxbow Road warrant at Town Meeting. Due to lack of support from abutters on both sides of the issue, no further action will be taken on this at this time. General discussions were held about having more education and public hearings before pursuing this further.
Ed suggested we might pursue writing columns for the Advocate as part of the education process about the Open Space Committee's mission.
Bruce suggested a joint meeting with the Planning Board. This was met with general approval.
Betsey introduced a special guest, Mike Krinsky, who has been instrumental in implementing Marlborough's open space planning and conservation. Points that Mike highlighted:
- A checklist and numeric rating system were developed. This was applied to all properties (tax lots) in town by a paid Antioch student. The ratings were then applied to a map of the town to show conserved land (green), high priority (red), medium priority (gold), and low priority (yellow). A copy of the rating system was given to us and Ed will scan and forward to the committee.
- While the high priority properties were ones that he felt were obvious, the ratings were useful in explaining the priorities to the town.
- He emphasized the importance of having a mission statement. He also emphasized saying to residents that conservation is voluntary and not to avoid being perceived as pressuring people to do conservation.
- He successfully brought a $1 million bond issue to fruition to fund conservation. $200,000 has been spent to date on easements, purchases, etc. A great deal of education was held prior to the bond vote.
- He felt with public money, it was important to have a very open system for identifying and approaching owners. If private conservation is being done, he felt approaching individuals is a better way.
- He said most people felt conservation was important to “preserve the rural character” of the town. That is an important selling point.
- He suggested that if a property is troublesome at all, such as title issues, not fitting goals, etc., to let it go and work on other properties.
- With public money, he felt having the town hold easements or own property was very appropriate.
Next order of business was to vote in a new chairperson. Joe Cavanaugh was nominated and unanimously approved.
Ed discussed the Tollman/Bernier property. The town is working closely with Mr. Tollman to try and strike a deal for a land swap of town property near the transfer station for the Bernier property on Mud Pond that he bought. Joe will attend the next Selectman's meeting to offer the committee's opinion on the open space / conservation aspect of this.
The next meeting will be held at 8:30 AM on May 13, 2009 at the Town Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
John Morris
Secretary pro temp
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