Approved 2/9/2010
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
January 12, 2010, 7:30 PM
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Paul Cramer, Vice Chair, Heidi Gross, Secretary, Joan Gaughan, Richard Bashian, Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Guests: Julia Bowker, NRC Open Space and Recreation Plan Consultant, Angel Carrillo, 11 West Street, Jean Childs, 37 Old Farm Road, Herb Nolan, 31 Denton, Jim Conlin, 10 Emerson, Dan Kemp, 20 Lovewell Road, Susan Kemp, 20 Lovewell Road, Anne Rippy Turtle, 65 Old Farm Road, Bob White, 408 Wellesley Avenue, Peter and Ann Tower, 18 Benton Street, Judith Hall, Barbara Offenhart, 9 Smith Street, Janet Giele, 32 Denton Road, Robert McConnell, 8 Hilltop Road, Richard Morse, 15 Homestead Road, Suzi Newman, School Committee, Mark Antonelli, Recreation Department, Todd Hinstead, Ursula King, Kathy Macdonald, Advisory, Katherine Babson, Board of Selectmen, Peter Cory, 58 Standish Circle, Abigail Hansen, 82 Dover Road, Kent Fox, Wellesley Conservation Council, Bob Sechrest, 15
Allen Road, Stanley Waugh, Wetlands Protection Committee, Denny Nackoney, 29 Earle Road, Bill Charlton, Board of Public works, Rosemary Donahue, Planning Board, Owen Dugan Board of Selectmen, Robert O’Neil, 12 Wilson Street, Barry Friedman, 57 Cottage Street, Kara Cicchetti, 23 Glen Road, Toby Sullivan, 7 Dexter Road, John M. Sullivan, 7 Dexter Road, Barbara Searle, Board of Selectmen, Herbert Gross, 92 Royalston Road, Bob Conner, 12 Brook Street, Karen Haberly, 24 Paine Street, Karim Khudairi, 33 Jackson Road, Robert Parker, 9 Dinsmore Road.
Public Voice
There were no citizens present who wished to speak at Public Voice.
Public Hearing on NRC’s Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
NRC Director Janet Bowser outlined the purpose of the Public Hearing and presented background information on the Open Space and Recreation Plan. Ms. Bowser stated that the updated Open Space and Recreation Plan was completed following the process required by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and provides a wealth of factual information about the Town’s natural and recreational resources. Ms. Bowser stated that previous public meetings have been held on the Plan and that this current public hearing is being held to update Town residents and to outline the specific goals and objectives in the Plan, as well as a five-year action plan that outlines the steps to achieve those goals. Ms. Bowser stated that the plan is to be used in conjunction with the Town’s master plan and the
goal is to provide information that will foster better open space and outdoor recreation planning and policy initiatives for the Town.
Ms. Bowser gave a PowerPoint presentation related to the development and content of the plan, as well as specific information on the goals and objectives outlined in the plan. Concluding the presentation, Ms. Bowser asked for feedback from the Town residents.
A resident stated that he found the plan very well done and complemented the NRC on the excellent condition of the Town’s open space and on the variety of open space and passive and active outdoor recreational resources. He stated that he would like to see improved bike access throughout the Town and on public property made a priority, as the Town is not particularly bike-friendly.
A resident noted that he would like to see a Town pool constructed, and he said that it was important to the community to have a place for residents to swim.
A resident stated that she would like to see expanded community gardens in Wellesley and asked if the Town has an organic gardening policy. Ms. Bowser responded that the NRC’s regulations at the Brookside Gardens require that gardeners use organic gardening techniques only.
A representative from the Recreation Commission stated that he wanted to make sure that the Commission’s comments on the plan have been reviewed and considered by the NRC.
A resident stated that he is unclear as to whether or not pets are allowed in all of the Town’s open space and he encouraged the NRC to allow access for all pets and he stated that the NRC should be clear in terms of what is allowed at specific open spaces.
Ms. Bowser thanked all residents for their feedback on the Open Space and Recreation Plan and stated that their comments will be reviewed for inclusion in the Plan and she invited residents to submit any additional comments or concerns on the Plan to her and she provided her contact information.
Public Hearing on Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan
NRC Member Heidi Gross gave a Power Point Presentation outlining all components of the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan including information on the park’s problems, existing conditions and an outline of the proposed recommendations. Ms. Gross invited those attending the hearing to submit questions and comments both at the hearing as well as in writing as a follow-up.
Those in attendance asked the following questions or posed the following concerns:
· Concern that the character of the park will be lost with the improvements. Want to make sure the park doesn’t have the manicured look, don’t “homogenize” the look of the park.
· Desire to see photos of what the park will look like if the plan is adopted.
· “There goes the beauty of the park”
· Happy to see the concrete blocks taken away. Desire to make it accessible and to stop the flooding but without taking away the beauty of the park.
· “Please don’t chop down every tree that has a hole in it”
· Concern with the required 8 foot path.
· Do we need to follow the ADA requirements? Could we have a 6 foot path in some places?
· For ADA, does it have to be a hard top? Concern that a hard top is ugly and will take away the charm of the path. Also concern that hard top will allow bikes and rollerblades to speed, making it harder for walkers
· What will the surface of the path be? Concern about stone dust.
· Determining the surface should not be in the Master Plan, but should be in the design phase of the project.
· Concern about the use of environmental chemicals used.
· Does the Master Plan include anything about water quality? There are some dead end spots with storm drains that go directly into the Brook.
· Concern about the volume of water by the golf course. That spot is neglected and often floods the golf course. Will Wellesley College be involved in fixing this spot?
· Does the Town restrict the salt intake on the roads draining into the brook?
· Comparison being made to a park in Stow, VT. Suggestion that black top be used, benches and water fountains added, similar to the end product in Stowe.
· What will be the role of DPW? What will they be responsible for?
· Where is the money for this project coming from?
· What is the cost of maintaining the current Fuller Brook vs. the new Fuller Brook? Hope that the comparison from the past 5 years and the next 5 years is added to the next discussion on the plan.
· Paine Street – worried about the changes and the loss of the rustic look. Wants to make sure the wetlands are kept as a wildlife habitat.
· Is CPC involved? Where is the money coming from? Can we do this project in segments?
· Wilson Street – narrow path – what will happen if there isn’t close to 8 feet to work with?
· Will the reference to the surface be taken out of the Master Plan and just added to the design phase? A concern that the surface has already been determined without consideration of the public.
· Are you directing that the surface has to be porous?
· Is the path an integral part of the plan? Can we focus on the stream course and the vegetation and not the path?
· If you touch the path does it have to meet the ADA requirements? Can you just repair the path without making the large changes and then not having to meet the ADA requirements?
· Concern that the park will now be taking on a more suburban, manicured look instead of the rustic charm.
· Concern about the traffic issues if you change the surface. Please look at the Lexington Trail to see what happens with a hard top surface. Concern about the speed of bikes and rollerblades.
· If there has to be a hard surface, please make changes in bike regulations.
· Is there an example of a porous surface locally? Having trouble picturing what the surface will look like.
· Do you have traffic counts?
· Can different segments of the park’s paths have different widths and surfaces?
· Walking is the highest percentage use from the Town survey and walking on hard top is not appealing. Is dirt possible? Hard top will take away from the beauty.
NRC Chairman Neal Seaborn concluded the Public Hearing and thanked all residents for their feedback. He said that the Fuller Brook Plan is a guidance document and at this point no final recommendations are set in stone and that the NRC will be reviewing the feedback received at the hearing tonight as the NRC moves forward with the plan.
Liaison Report/Old Business/New Business
Update on Lower Falls Charles River Park Project and CPA Funding Application
Mr. Seaborn updated the NRC on the status of this project and stated that he has received feedback from Board of Selectmen Chair Barbara Searle that they will not be moving forward with the CPA funding application since they have limited resources and feel that this is not a top priority for them. The NRC voiced concerns that commitments have been made to the State Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) that a temporary and a permanent path would be installed once the bridge is renovated. Mr. Seaborn will continue his discussions with the Board of Selectmen and will continue to update the NRC on the status of this project.
Director’s Report
Update on Status of Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan/CPA Funding Application
Ms. Bowser stated that she and NRC Members Mr. Seaborn and Ms. Gross will be meeting with the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee on January 15th to move the plan forward in a coordinated fashion. Ms. Bowser will keep the NRC updated on the status of the CPA application and future meetings with the Coordinating Committee. There was extensive discussion regarding the formation of the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the formation of the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee.
Preparation for the NRC’s FY11 Operating Budget and the Morses Pond FY11 Operating Budget Meeting with Advisory Committee on January 20th
Ms. Bowser stated that she and Mr. Seaborn will attend this meeting to defend the NRC’s FY11 Operating Budget and the Morses Pond FY11 Operating Budget.
Update on Status of Proposal for Potential Land Exchange w/Board of Selectmen at Morton Park for Senior Center Parking
Ms. Bowser stated that the Board of Selectmen representatives would like to meet again with the NRC on
Jan. 15th to further discuss this proposal for a potential land exchange. Ms. Bowser stated that she has requested maps regarding the area on Morton Park to be used for parking, as well as maps of the Cochituate Aqueduct Land under the Selectmen’s control which may be exchanged for land on Morton Park. Ms. Bowser stated that she will keep the NRC updated on the status of this project.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for January 15th at 9 AM in the NRC Office. Ms. Bowser stated that this meeting will involve meeting with representatives from the Board of Selectmen and it will focus on the potential land exchange at Morton Park.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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