Approved 2/9/2010
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
January 15, 2010, 9 AM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Paul Cramer, Vice Chair (leaving at 10 AM), Heidi Gross, Secretary, Richard Bashian (arriving at 10:30 AM), Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Absent: Joan Gaughan.
Guests: Barbara Searle, Board of Selectmen Chair, Terri Tsagaris, Board of Selectmen, Gig Babson, Board of Selectmen, Herb Nolan, Denton Road resident, Peter Fergusson, Wellesley Historical Commission, Rosemary Donahue, Community Preservation Committee Member, William Charlton, Board of Public Works, Bob White, Trails Committee, Suzi Newman, Wellesley School Committee.
Public Voice
There were no citizens present who wished to speak at Public Voice.
Meeting with Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan Coordinating Committee
Mr. Seaborn outlined the goal and mission of the Coordinating Committee, which is to vet, advocate and support for the funding and implementation of the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan. There was extensive discussion regarding the different components of the Master Plan and possible phasing of the plan into multiple phases. There was further discussion regarding the timeline and possible costs of the plan. The Committee will continue to meet on a regular basis in order to support and advocate for funding for the Master Plan.
Discussion Regarding Exchange or Release of NRC Land Exchange and Potential Land Acquisition
The NRC continued their discussion with representatives from the Board of Selectmen regarding a possible land exchange between the Selectmen and municipal land on the Cochituate Aqueduct in exchange for approximately 5,400 sq. ft. of NRC parkland at Morton Park. The NRC reviewed a background memo from the Selectman regarding the need for additional parking for the Senior Center and the memo also contained the alternatives that the Selectmen have evaluated. Ms. Tsagaris stated that the Selectmen feel that additional parking is needed above what is provided at the Senior Center and on Washington Street in order to satisfy the concerns of Town Meeting. In addition, Ms. Tsagaris stated that the Police Department indicated that they need additional parking to meet the goals of their municipal needs. The
goal of this proposed land exchange would be to provide additional long-term municipal parking for the Senior Center and the Police Station in exchange for at least at a 2-1 land exchange pursuant to the NRC’s land exchange policy. Ms. Searle and Ms. Tsagaris reviewed a current plan showing that approximately 5,400 sq. ft. of NRC land is needed and this is reduced from a previous plan showing a need for 8,000 sq. ft. Ms. Tsagaris indicated also that 12 trees, all relatively small and not specimen trees, according to Ms. Cricket Vlass, will need to be removed.
There was extensive discussion regarding possible municipal land that could be exchanged for the NRC land, and all focused on the Cochituate Aqueduct Land in Morton Field, behind Hunnewell Park by the Duck Pond, behind the Town Hall and along the Town Hall Bowl. Ms. Searle indicated that the section of the aqueduct behind the Town Hall is not an option for exchange, as the Selectmen would like to retain this land for possible expansion of parking at the Town Hall. The NRC focused on the section of the Aqueduct along the Town Hall Bowl that totals 24,000 sq. ft. Ms. Searle stated that the Selectmen do not want to limit their ability to meet future municipal parking needs and have the flexibility for future parking configurations at Town Hall. The NRC stated that the 2-1 land exchange is just a
guideline and that they would like to see more open space protected for the Morton Park land being exchanged. The NRC questioned as to why the Selectmen would not be willing to exchange all land near the Town Hall Bowl and why they would like to retain this land. Ms. Searle responded that would like to retain this land for future options for municipal parking needs at Town Hall.
Ms. Bowser stated that currently there is existing land in Town that was placed under parkland protection, but with conditions, including at Perrin and Beebee Meadow, as these areas were given to the NRC as parkland from the Schools, but the Schools retained the ability in the future to use this land for school land, if needed. Ms. Bowser stated that in a similar vein, the Board of Selectmen could exchange Aqueduct land, with the condition that some specific section is retained for municipal use in the future. Ms. Searle stated that this is something they will consider and may want to further discuss with the NRC.
The NRC Members further discussed their interest in acquiring all Aqueduct land in this area, except for the land directly behind the Town Hall. It was the sense of the NRC that if they are to be giving up open space, they would like to see a substantial gain in protected open space to the NRC, regardless of the ratio.
Director’s Report
Update on Lower Falls Charles River Park Project/ CPA Funding Application
Mr. Seaborn stated that he has had a brief conversation with Ms. Barbara Searle from the Board of Selectmen, and that it appears that the Selectmen have decided not to move forward with the Lower Falls Charles River Park Project this year due to the Selectmen’s limited resources.
Preparation for the NRC’s FY11 Operating Budget and the Morses Pond Operating Budget Meeting with Advisory Committee on January 20th at 7:30 PM
Ms. Bowser briefly reviewed with the NRC background materials developed for this meeting and she indicated that she and Mr. Seaborn will attend this meeting to present the NRC’s FY11 Operating Budget and the Morses Pond Operating Budget.
Update on St. James Land Use Study and Site Use Options
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC background materials with regard to possible land use options at the St. James property. The NRC briefly discussed their previous position that because a substantial portion of the property is protected open space through flood plain and wetlands resource designations, that there is no need to purchase any land at the St. James property for open space protection purposes. Ms. Bowser will draft a statement to be read at the upcoming St. James Forum on February 11th.
Update on Status of Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Ms. Bowser stated that she is wrapping up work on the Open Space and Recreation Master Plan with the NRC’s consultant and it will be completed shortly. She will continue to update the NRC on the status of the plan.
Update on Status of the Town’s Financial Situation/Impact on NRC’s FY11 Capital and Morses Pond Capital
Ms. Bowser stated that current projections show that the Town is facing a $4 million deficit for the FY11 Budget, and it is likely that the NRC’s FY 11Capital and Morses Pond Capital will be cut. She will continue to update the NRC on the status of this situation.
Review and Approval of the NRC Meeting Minutes
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to approve the December 18, 2009 and January 9, 2010 Meeting Minutes as written.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for January 27th, at 6:15 PM prior to the NRC’s meeting with the Community Preservation Committee.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 12 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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