Approved 1/27/2010
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
December 11, 2009, 9 AM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Paul Cramer, Vice Chair (leaving at 9:55 AM), Heidi Gross, Secretary, Joan Gaughan, Richard Bashian (leaving at 10:10 AM), Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Guests: Ursula King, Wellesley Resident and Environmental Educator, Jennifer Lukas and Kitt Dunn, Wellesley House and Garden Club Members, Bob White, Trails Committee Chair.
Public Voice
There were no residents attending who wished to speak at Public Voice.
Discussion and Approval Regarding Location of Wellesley House and Garden Club Regarding Sculpture in Central Park
Wellesley House and Garden Club Members Kitt Dunn and Jennifer Lukas provided an update on the
bronze sculpture that the Club is donating for Central Park. The NRC previously approved the gift of the sculpture. They stated that the model is near completion and that Club Members and Merrilyn Marsh, the sculptor, have visited the park again to ensure that the site location is appropriate. After visiting the site, they would like to suggest that the sculpture be placed by the maple tree on the west end of Central Park, where Washington and Railroad Avenue meet. They indicated that originally they had discussed placing the sculpture and had staked out an area just off of the walkway as you approach Washington Street, just past the picnic area. The artist and the Garden Club members feel that the sculpture gets lost in this location and that it would be more visible to the public under the
maple tree, and they requested that the NRC approve this new location. Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a site plan of Central Park and the new location that is being proposed for the sculpture. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the new location of the sculpture, as proposed by the Wellesley House and Garden Club.
Ms. Lukas provided a brief summary of the project and a schedule for completion of the project. She indicated that the base of the sculpture will be bronze and will be allowed to patina with a green finish. Ms. Lukas inquired about the coordination process with the DPW and the NRC as regards to the installation of the sculpture, which the DPW will need to assist with. Ms. Bowser stated that she will be in touch with Cricket Vlass of the DPW regarding the new location for the sculpture and that the DPW will need to work directly with the Garden Club on the installation details. Ms. Lukas inquired about a possible date for the installation and for an installation ceremony. The NRC stated that they are flexible on a date and will work with the Garden Club and the DPW to arrange a date for the ceremony,
which could be in late May or early June. Ursula King, a Wellesley resident and Environmental Educator, stated that it would be nice to invite some school children to the installation ceremony, and so she suggested an early release day, which is a Wednesday. The House and Garden Club concurred and they said that this makes sense since this is a sculpture for children and since the Garden Club also maintains the butterfly gardens at the Town’s elementary schools. Ms. Lukas circulated photos of the sculpture, which is almost in final form, and the NRC thanked the Wellesley House and Garden Club for all of their efforts to maintain and beautify Central Park.
Trail Committee Support for Fuller Brook Park
Mr. Bob White, Trails Committee Chair, provided brief comments regarding the NRC’s Fuller Brook
Park Preservation Master Plan, and indicated that the Trails Committee supports the Master Plan but have some concerns about the path area near the High School. Mr. Seaborn stated that the NRC will continue to work with Trails Committee and other stakeholders and they will be invited to submit input during the design phase of the Master Plan and he thanked Mr.White for the support of the Trails Committee.
Review and Approval of NRC FY11 Operating Budget
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the FY11 Operating Budget Request that she prepared taking into consideration the Advisory Committee’s Guideline of a 1 percent increase. Ms. Bowser said that after carefully reviewing all line items in the NRC’s FY11 Operating Budget that the NRC’s request for $196,011 represents only a .44 increase from FY10, well below the Advisory Committee’s Guideline. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the FY11 Operating Budget as prepared by the Director.
Review and Approval of Morses Pond FY11 Operating Budget
Ms. Bowser reviewed in detail with the NRC, the Morses Pond FY11 Operating Budget Request that she prepared. She stated that she circulated the budget to all members of the Morses Pond Management Committee and that no revisions were proposed. Ms. Bowser stated that the Morses Pond FY11 Operating Budget Request this year is $160, 370 and stated that this is the same amount requested in FY10, resulting in a 0 percent increase, which is below the Advisory Committee’s Guidelines of a 1 percent increase. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the FY11 Morses Pond Operating Budget as prepared by the Director.
Review and Approval of Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan Warrant Article for the 2010 Annual Town Meeting
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a draft warrant article for the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan and stated that the final language will be subject to review by Town Counsel. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan ATM 2010 Warrant Article as drafted.
Director’s Report
Update on Status of Morses Pond Dredging Feasibility and Design Project
Ms. Bowser updated the NRC on the status of this project and indicated that she and Mr. Seaborn are the NRC liaisons on this project, which is proceeding in the study phase at this point with completion of the feasibility and permitting portion estimated for the fall of 2010.
Update on Status of Open Space and Recreation Plan and Public Hearing January 12th
Ms. Bowser stated that she continues to work with the NRC’s Consultant on finalizing the draft plan and she will leave a copy in the NRC Office for members to review if they would like to do so. She stated that she is working on the PowerPoint Presentation for the January 12th Hearing on the Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Update on Status of Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan and Public Hearing January 12th
Ms. Bowser updated the NRC on the status of the Master Plan, and she indicated that she is working on a mailing list to notify abutters of the Public Hearing on January 12th. Ms. Gaughan updated the NRC on feedback from the CPC and indicated that she would submit this information to the NRC in writing. No meetings are scheduled yet with the CPC, but she indicated that she will notify members once a meeting schedule is set.
Off-Leash Dog Enforcement Issues at Perrin Park
The NRC reviewed a number of email messages from residents in the Perrin Park area, indicating that there are a number of issues with dogs running into neighbor’s yards, as well as too many dogs’ off-leash as well as off-leash dogs during on-leash hours. The NRC discussed how best to respond to these complaints and Mr. Seaborn stated that he will respond in writing, Ms. Bowser stated that she will contact Animal Control Officer Sue Webb and request that she increase her visits to Perrin Park, especially in the morning, when the majority of the complaints have occurred.
Update on Revised Development Project at 27 Washington Street
Ms. Bowser stated that she met with National Development Inc., the owner of 27 Washington Street, to review changes being proposed for the project. She stated that rather being rental units, the project will now be for over 60 - independent and assisted living units. Ms. Bowser stated that the number of units is being slightly reduced and the location of the building is being slightly shifted toward the riverfront area. Ms. Bowser stated that she will keep the NRC updated on the progress of this project, and she will continue to work with National Development on the proposed Conservation Restriction protecting the riverfront area and providing public access.
Liaison Report/Continuing Business/New Business
Update on Lower Falls Charles River Park Project
Mr. Seaborn updated the NRC on the status of this project and indicated that the only new information is that the NRC’s Wetlands Protection Committee approved the project, but has not yet issued a permit. He stated that the DCR hopes to break ground on the bridge project in January, but that Newton has not yet issued a wetlands permit, and this may slightly delay the project.
Review and Approval of the NRC Meeting Minutes of November 10, November 14, November 24, and December 2, 2009
After motions were made and seconded, the Meeting Minutes of November 10, November 14, November 24, and December 2, 2009 were approved as written.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for January 12 at 7:30 PM, which will be a public meeting on the Open Space and Recreation Master Plan and the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 AM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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