Approved 12/11/09
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
November 10, 2009, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Paul Cramer, Vice Chair, Rick Bashian (leaving at 9:30 PM),
Heidi Gross, Secretary, Joan Gaughan, Janet Bowser, NRC Director.
Guests: Pace Wilson, W. Dog Organization, Bob White, Kerry Sullivan, Irene Wiemer.
Public Voice
No one attending the meeting spoke at Public Voice.
Proposal to Reroute Boulder Brook Reservation Trail
Bob White of the NRC’s Trails Committee proposed two trail changes in the NRC’s Boulder Brook Reservation. Mr. White proposed the elimination of a trail that duplicates an existing trail and disrupts habitat and compact soils and a trail reroute to avoid a wet area and bring the trail upland with no required trimming or clearing. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the two proposed trail changes.
Discussion and Vote Re: Winter Off- Leash Dog Regulations at Perrin Park
Mr. Seaborn stated that the NRC needs to determine the winter hours for off-leash dog regulations at Perrin Park, since the current regulations run only until November 15. Mr. Seaborn stated that the NRC is committed to hearing all park users concerns and he opened the meeting for input from guests. Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Irene Wiemer stated that the continuing problems at the park include dogs interfering with other park users, incessant dog barking throughout the day, traffic from dog owners and dog waste. Ms. Sullivan stated that, in her opinion, the current off-leash dog hours are not working and that many of her neighbors are still opposed to off-leash dog hours and that the NRC should be encouraging dog owners to use other parks by limiting the number of off-leash hours at Perrin Park. Mr. Seaborn
asked Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Wiemer for their recommendation for winter off-leash dog hours. Ms. Sullivan recommended extending only the AM hours and eliminating the afternoon hours, as many children come home from school and want to use the park. Ms. Wiemer stated that the neighbors have tried to live in harmony with the current off-leash dog hours, but that there are often more than 8 dogs off-leash at the park and she would prefer morning hours only.
Mr. Seaborn asked for input from Ms. Wilson from the W. Dog Organization. She stated that she would prefer two separate off-leash times, in the AM and the PM so that dogs can get off-leash exercise two times a day. Mr. Cramer stated that he is adamant that Perrin should not be considered a dog park and suggested that the NRC could perhaps consider limiting the total number of dogs in the park not just the number of dogs’ off-leash. Ms. Gaughan stated that perhaps the NRC should limit the total number of dogs in the park to 12 with 8 off-leash. Ms. Sullivan recommended that the NRC look at the regulations that Lexington has adopted at their Wildwoods Conservation land, which imposes strict limits on the number of dogs allowed off-leash and stresses that all users of the park must to be respectful of
neighbors. Ms. Gross emphasized that there should be no official dog park on NRC land. Mr. Bashian stated that he does not want to send the problem to another neighborhood and that if the NRC needs to solve the problem of dogs barking, then that is an enforcement matter for the Dog Control Officer. Ms. Wilson stated that there usually are only 8-12 dogs in the park, and that perhaps only Wellesley registered dogs should be allowed in the park, and that the W. Dog Organization could help to enforce this policy. The NRC discussed a number of options for winter off-leash hours, including allowing only extended hours in the morning, or allowing more restricted hours in both the morning and the afternoon. There was extensive discussion regarding limiting the total number of dogs in the park to no more than 8 off-leash, but the NRC concluded that this could lead to a difficult enforcement issue. The NRC further discussed continuing to limit the number of
off-leash dogs to 8 at a time, and requiring that only Wellesley licensed dogs be allowed in the park, due to the fact that Perrin is a small neighborhood park. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 5-0 to require that all dogs using Perrin Park must be licensed in Wellesley due to the fact that Perrin is a small park and the NRC approved the following regulations for the period from November 16, 2009 - March 15, 2010:
1. The number of dogs under the control of one owner is limited to 2, or 3 with a NRC permit.
2. Off-leash dogs shall not exceed 8 at any one time and must be under control at all times.
3. Daily off-leash hours are limited to:
Morning Hours Afternoon/Evening Hours
7:00 AM - 9:30 AM Everyday 3:00 – 5:30 PM Everyday
(or dusk, whichever is earlier)
4. No dogs are allowed off-leash when athletic games are being played.
5. Dog owners must remove all feces and trash.
6. All dogs, on and off-leash, are excluded from the tot-lot.
7. Fines for non-compliance may be levied up to $200.00.
8. No dogs allowed in the park after dusk.
Review and Approval of the NRC FY09 Annual Report
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the FY09 Annual Report she drafted for the NRC’s approval. She asked for the NRC’s edits or additions as soon as possible. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to approve its FY09 Annual Report subject to revisions.
Director’s Report
Update on Status of Public Shade Tree Issues
Ms. Bowser discussed with the NRC a follow-up to their last Public Shade Tree Hearing in regard to an Ailanthus tree at the Warren Triangle. The DPW has requested the removal of this tree as it is an invasive that produces large quantities of viable seeds. Landscape Planner Cricket Vlass indicated that the tree should have been removed years ago and she indicated that unfortunately it is having a substantial negative impact on the other trees in the area. Mr. Seaborn voiced some concern that this is a large and healthy tree and that it would be sorely missed by the neighborhood and it would leave quite a void. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 4-1, with Mr. Seaborn voting no, to remove the Ailanthus tree at the Warren Triangle and to replace it with a flowering tree such
as a dogwood.
Update on Status of 27 Washington Street Wetlands Protection Permit Appeal
Ms. Bowser reported that the appellants and the developer have reached a settlement and the neighbors have withdrawn their appeal, and there are no outstanding wetlands permit issues at this time.
Ms.Bowser stated that once all other appeals have been settled, the NRC will need to work closely with National Development to secure the Conservation Restriction along the riverfront area of the property.
Update on Status of State Street Parking Landscaping Corrections and other Site Corrections
Ms. Bowser reported that she has been working with the High School Building Project Managers and that all of the site corrections have been made at the State Street Parking area and that the fencing near the basketball court parking area has been slated for the addition of a pedestrian gate.
Update on Status of Open Space & Recreation Master Plan
Ms. Bowser stated that she continues to work with the NRC’s Consultant on the Open Space and Recreation Master Plan and that they are nearing completion of the Plan and she will be scheduling a public hearing shortly.
Update on Status of Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan
Ms. Bowser stated that a site walk has been scheduled for November 14th at 9 AM and that she has invited all members of the Advisory Committee, Community Preservation Committee, Historical Commission and the Wetlands Protection Committee to attend the walk. She stated that she continues to work diligently on the plan and is putting in extremely long hours to complete the Preservation Master Plan with the consultant and she is writing the full application for Community Preservation Act Funds. She stated that she plans to have the entire CPA application and Preservation Master Plan completed and submitted to the Advisory Committee, the CPC and the Historical Commission by November 25, 2009.
Preparation for Upcoming Budget Presentations to Advisory and CPC
Ms. Bowser stated that she has been working with the Advisory Committee and a meeting is scheduled for December 2 at Town Hall for a presentation on the NRC’s FY11 Capital Budget, including the Fuller Brook Master Plan Request, and the Morses Pond FY11 Capital Budget Request. Ms. Bowser will invite all members of the CPC and the Historic Commission to the Dec. 2nd Presentation.
Liaison Report/Continuing Business/New Business
Update on Lower Falls Charles River Park Project
Mr. Seaborn reported that he continues to work with Board of Selectmen Chair Barbara Searle on the full CPC application for this project and that a wetlands permit has been filed with the Wellesley Wetlands Protection Committee. Mr. Seaborn will keep the NRC updated on the status of this project.
Review and Approval of the NRC Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2009
After review, a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the NRC Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2009.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4– 0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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