Approved 6/19/07
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
May 8, 2007, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chairman, Heidi Gross, Vice-Chairman, Richard Bashian, Joan Gaughan, Janet Bowser, NRC Director.
Absent: Paul Cramer, Secretary
Public Voice
No one at the meeting spoke at Public Voice.
Review and Approval of Drainage and Bridge Improvements at Boulder Brook Reservation
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the project plan developed by Town Engineer, Steve Fader for installing a new bridge and making drainage improvements at the Boulder Brook Reservation. The Reservation is conservation land under the jurisdiction of the NRC and is a highly used area by both school children and Town residents. The environmental aides program at the Bates Elementary School use this reservation extensively as part of their outdoor class to explore nature with school children. Currently, visitors who walk into the reservation from the school must walk down an uneven embankment that has been eroded due to poor drainage, causing serious public safety concerns as well as concerns about stormwater run-off flowing directly into the wetlands resource area. In addition, the footbridge over the
brook currently consists of granite slabs, spaced widely apart, which are difficult for children to use. This project, submitted in conjunction with the NRC’s Trails Committee, will allow for the construction of a bridge from the School property into the Reservation. In addition, the project will allow the Town to make needed stormwater run-off and drainage improvements to the area adjacent to the path system. Ms. Bowser stated that she will attend the Wetlands Protection Committee on May 17th to present this project on behalf of the NRC and request permitting approval. After a motion was made and seconded the NCR voted 4-0 to approve the improvement project at Boulder Brook Reservation.
Review and Discussion Regarding NRC FY07 Work Plan and Project Priority Listing
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the current NRC Work Plan and Project Priority Listing for FY 07 and noted that several projects have been completed including the Mass. Bay Community College Land Acquisition Feasibility Study, the Elm Park Landscaping and Hardscaping Improvement Project, the hiring of a new Wetlands Administrator, purchase of a new weed harvester for Morses Pond, the approval of the Morses Pond Management Plan at Town Meeting in 2007, the Duck Pond Restoration Project, and the Town Wide Pond Management Assessment by Dr. Ken Wagner. Ms. Bowser noted that the remaining top priorities for NRC include completion of the Open Space and Recreation Plan, the FY08 Implementation of the Morses Pond Management Plan, hiring of a new Environmental Education Coordinator, development of the Integrated Pest
Management Turf Plan and continued implementation of the Public Shade Tree Education Program, the Town Hall Entrance Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project, and the Brown Park Improvement Project. Ms. Bowser noted that several of these projects are carry over capital projects that the Advisory Committee strongly encouraged the NRC to complete prior to taking on additional projects.
Mr. Seaborn and Ms. Bowser stated that one of the NRC’s priorities - encroachment corrections, which in the past have been coordinated by the Director with substantial assistance by the Wetlands Administrator, is currently on hold due to the Administrator’s workload. Ms. Bowser noted that the majority of encroachments on NRC land are in wetland resource areas and thereby require extensive collaboration with the Wetlands Protection Committee. Mr. Seaborn stated that he, Ms. Bowser, and the Wetlands Committee Chair are working with the Wetlands Administrator to establish a work plan for her that includes the setting of priorities, and hopefully some progress can be made on correcting the backlog of encroachments in the near future.
Ms. Gaughan voiced concern regarding the status of the Fuller Brook Park Restoration Master Plan, which the Selectmen have deferred capital funding for until FY10. It was noted that the NRC applied for a State grant to improve a small portion of the park’s path and that the State Dept. of Conservation and Recreation has not yet notified the Town whether the grant has been received. Ms. Bowser stated that she would talk to Executive Director Hans Larsen regarding the current capital budget sequence expectation for this project.
Director’s Report
Update on Upcoming Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing
Ms. Bowser noted that she is working to implement the new Public Shade Tree Removal process that requires notification to abutters prior to the posting and the legal ad for a Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing. Ms. Bowser noted that implementing this process is taking longer than expected and that it is anticipated that the Public Hearing will be held in June.
Update on Morses Pond Trail Improvement Proposal on April 26th Site Visit
The NRC conducted a site visit at Morses Pond with representatives from the Recreation Commission, Dept. of Public Works and the Trails Committee to evaluate trail proposals for allowing improved access to Morses Pond beach and Ice House Pond beach area. After extensive discussions it was agreed that rather than rerouting a trail along the Ice House Pond area, the three boards would pursue opening up the Morses Pond Beach area during the off season, thereby allowing public access to the beach area during the off season.
Ms. Kaseta stated that originally Town Counsel had been concerned with liability issues, but she stated that since all three boards are in favor of allowing off-season access to the beach that Town Counsel may rule that such access is permitted. It was agreed that Ms. Bowser will draft a letter to Town Counsel regarding this matter. Ms. Bowser noted that at the Recreation Commission’s meeting on May 7, 2007, the Recreation Commission voted unanimously to support the NRC drafting a joint letter asking for open access to Morses Pond and its walking paths during the off season, but with the provision that all gates l be locked during off hours during the beach season.
Update on Hiring New Environmental Educational Coordinator
Ms. Bowser stated that she and Ms. Gross and a representative from Human Resources completed interviews for this position and that they have unanimously recommend Ms. Nina Danforth and that reference checks are being completed. Ms. Bowser stated that she is hopeful Ms. Danforth can start as soon as possible. The NRC was in agreement that the first responsibility for the Coordinator will be to complete the NRC’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Update on Playing Field User Fee Account
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC an email memorandum from DPW Assistant Director, Judith Curby, dated April 13, 2007 outlining the current status of the Playing Field User Fees through the third quarter of 2007. The NRC noted that some of the fee appropriations were not very explicit as to what they were used for. The NRC concluded that they would like to invite the DPW to a meeting in the near future to discuss an annual Playing Field User Fee Program, at which time the NRC can give its consent, so that regular review is not necessary. The NRC noted that they will also discuss with the DPW the possibility of using Playing Field User Fees to fund use of organic fertilizer on Town fields as part of an effort to implement turf management principles wherever possible. Ms. Bowser noted that currently
DPW uses a 50-50 mix of organic and synthetic fertilizer the Town ‘s fields due to cost issues.
Update on Sprague field Improvement Project.
Ms. Bowser noted that the next Playing Field Task Force meeting is scheduled for May 18th at 7:45AM and that the Agenda item will be addressing the next steps in addressing the need to implement a field improvement project at Sprague Field. Ms. Bowser noted that this may be an opportune time to encourage the installation of one or two organic natural turf fields.
Update on Hiring Morses Pond Manager for FY 07 Operating Budget
Ms. Bowser indicated that she and Mr. Seaborn would be meeting with Town Engineer, Steve Fader, to discuss the next steps in the Morses Pond Implementation Program now that funding for both the operating and capital items has been approved at Town Meeting. Ms. Bowser indicated that she is proposing to hire a pond manager to help with a number of issues including an implementation program for both FY07 and FY08, development of an RFP and scope of services for the phosphorous inactivation unit, as well as educational and hand harvesting efforts with monies available through FY07.
Update on May 22nd Joint Meeting with Trails Committee
Ms. Bowser stated that she has invited the Trails Committee to meet with the NRC since they are both meeting on the 22nd and that this is a good opportunity to discuss common concerns regarding on-going trails projects including the Charles River and Newton Lower Falls Bridge and trail project.
Update on Winter Moth Caterpillar Treatment Program
Ms. Bowser stated that this program has now been completed and it was completed earlier than expected due to the fact that the school properties were not treated. Originally the DPW had hoped to spray the school properties during the April vacation break, but due to weather issues they were not able to do so. The schools did not have adequate funding to send out parental notification under the State Family and Children’s Protection Act and so school properties were not sprayed. Ms. Bowser stated that she received many calls regarding the program; almost all were from residents supporting the program. Only two were from residents who had some concerns regarding the spraying program.
Review Abbott Learning Center Request for Use of Phillips Park
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the Parkland Use Permit request by the Abbott Learning Center to use nearby Phillips Park for a soccer sports program. The NRC voiced some concerns that the application was not clear regarding how many children would be using the land and during which periods of time. The NRC also voiced some concerns that since the Abbott Center is a profit organization that some compensation should be made to the Town for use of the parkland. Ms. Bowser will request more information on the intensity of use and the hours of use for the Permit Application.
Update on the Status of the Morses Pond Weed Harvester
Ms. Bowser said that the new weed harvester has been received and is in dry dock at the DPW. She stated that the manufacturer will be providing two days of training to the DPW employees, and that Dr. Ken Wagner will provide additional training. Ms. Bowser will keep the NRC informed when the harvester is launched at Morses Pond.
Follow Up on the Green Building and Sustainability Forum on April 25th
Ms. Bowser indicated that she had spoken with Jane Andrews at the forum, and that she is very interested in working with the NRC to develop an “Energy Action Plan” for the Town, which would be along the lines of similar plans developed in Newton, Brookline and Cambridge through the Mass Climate Action Network. Ms. Andrews indicated that she had spoken to Representatives from the Board of Public Works and the Board of Selectmen regarding this issue and received some positive feedback. Ms. Andrews would like to work with the NRC towards the development of a energy action committee for a proposal at the Annual Town Meeting in 2008 that would develop a comprehensive energy action plan regarding green building and sustainability design elements. The NRC agreed that they would like to pursue the
development of such a committee and that Ms. Bowser will act as liaison to the Smart Group and will continue to work with Ms. Andrews.
Liaison Reports/Continuing Business/New Business
NRC Efforts to Support the Morses Pond Debt Exclusion Bill on May 15th
Mr. Seaborn stated that he has been working with the Board of Public Works and the Recreation Commission and the Friend of Morses Pond to respond to a letter to the editor by Dr. Jerry Carr who opposes the Morses Pond debt exclusion project. Mr. Seaborn will continue to act as the liaison to coordinate the NRC’s efforts to support the debt exclusion vote on May15th.
Update on Status of Charles River and Newton Lower Falls Bridge and Trail Project
Ms. Gaughan, Ms. Bowser and Mr. Seaborn met with Mr. Nackoney and Mr. White at the Lower Falls Bridge and discussed the next steps needed to move this project along. There was some concern that current litigation prevents the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation from pursuing the rail/trail portion of the project, but that given the current development of the Grossman site, that the bridge component of the project could be pursued. The NRC and the Trails Committee will continue to further develop a strategy toward implementing this project.
Dedication of a Memorial to Dan McCabe in the High School Area
Mr. Seaborn stated that he was approached by several high school students who would like to donate a memorial in the memory of Dan McCabe in the sitting area on parkland near the High School. Ms. Gross voiced some concerns about an actual memorial and plaque, but suggested that a tree would be a more appropriate memorial. Ms. Bowser stated that she will set up a site visit with the students and with Cricket Vlass, the town’s landscape planner to evaluate the site for a possible tree.
Review /Approval of NRC Meeting Minutes of April 25, 2007
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to approve the NRC Meeting Minutes of April 25, 2007, as written.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the NRC Office.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
| 