Approved March 9, 2010
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
February 9, 2010, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Paul Cramer, Vice Chair, Heidi Gross, Secretary, Richard Bashian, Joan Gaughan, Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Guests: George Hassett, Wellesley Townsman Reporter, Ursula King, Jason Whittet, Advisory Committee Liaison to the NRC, Bob Campana, Property Manager for Mr. Steve Belkin.
Public Voice
Mr. Bob Campana inquired if the NRC would allow him to tape the meeting, and the NRC declined to have it taped. Mr. Campana attended the meeting to voice his deep regret for the unauthorized tree removals at Boulder Brook Reservation directly adjacent to Mr. Steve Belkin’s property at 8 Rocky Ledges Road where Mr. Campana is the property manager. Ms. Bowser advised against the NRC’s further discussion of this matter at this time since the NRC’s and DPW’s normal process is currently underway, which involves a detailed investigation and documentation of the tree removals. Mr. Seaborn thanked Mr. Campana for attending the meeting and stated that the NRC would be following its normal process regarding the unauthorized tree removals.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – Discussion Re: Unauthorized Tree Removals and Potential Litigation
After a motion was made and seconded and each NRC Member was individually polled and voted to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing potential litigation related to the unauthorized removal of Town trees with the intention of returning to Public Session to complete the NRC Meeting Agenda.
Update on Fuller Brook Park Master Plan Coordinating Committee and CPC Application
Mr. Seaborn, Ms. Gross, and Ms. Bowser updated the NRC on the status of the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee‘s efforts to further refine and revise Phase I of the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan Implementation. Mr. Seaborn indicated that the Committee’s next meeting with the CPC is scheduled for tomorrow evening, February 10 th and another meeting is scheduled on Feb. 17th.
Mr. Seaborn indicated that the Coordinating Committee has developed a draft charter for the Committee and it was reviewed, discussed in some detail and revised by the NRC. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to adopt, as revised, the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee Mission Statement and Charge as follows:
Mission of the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee (Approved by NRC)
Membership shall include designees from relevant Town boards including the Natural Resources Commission (2 members and the Director), Board of Selectmen, Public Works, Historical Commission, Trails Committee, School Committee, and Community Preservation Committee and abutter(s). Members shall provide input on behalf of their board/committee, and contribute technical expertise and guidance in the development and implementation of the Project.
Charge of the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee (Approved by NRC)
To assist the Town and the Natural Resources Commission with the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of Fuller Brook Park, an important historic, open space, environmental and recreational open space, resource, essential part of the stormwater and drainage system, and vital piece of the Town’s trail system;
To evaluate the needs of the Park as identified in the Fuller Brook Master Plan (2009);
To establish goals and priorities for the Park’s preservation, restoration and rehabilitation;
To assess alternative plans, applying criteria for selection including but not limited to cost-effectiveness, historic preservation requirements, maintenance considerations;
To assist in outlining a process that ensures broad public participation in and support for the Project;
To define the scope and phasing of work to be undertaken by the Town; including identification of potential impacts on the Town’s infrastructure (e.g., sewer, stormwater drainage, trail system, active and passive recreational use);
To prepare multi-year budget for the implementation of identified work;
To work with the Natural Resources Commission, Community Preservation Committee and other funding sources to obtain funds to rehabilitate/ restore/preserve the park;
To assist in the selection of consultants and staff to oversee the work recommended through the design phase of the Project.
Director’s Report
Update on the FY11 NRC and Morses Pond Capital Budget Requests
Ms. Bowser and Mr. Seaborn attended the Town-wide Inter-board Budget Meeting on February 4 th and the Town is approximately $3 million in the red for the FY11 Budget and all Boards will be asked to reduce their requests, and the NRC’s request will focus on the reduction of its capital budget. Mr. Jason Whittet, Advisory Committee Liaison to the NRC, said that while the Advisory Committee has not voted on the Capital Requests for Town Boards, that the NRC should anticipate some reductions. He stated that he will contact the NRC as soon as any definite vote has been taken. Ms. Bowser noted that the Capital Submittal was prioritized, which should assist the NRC as it evaluates its budget for potential reductions.
Update on St. James Land Use Study and Site Use Options
Ms. Bowser reminded the NRC that a public forum was scheduled for February 11th and the NRC has determined that they will not make a statement since open space is not being proposed as one of the land-use categories since a substantial portion of this open space is already protected as wetlands and floodplain resource areas.
Update on Status of Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Ms. Bowser stated that she continues to work on the plan with the NRC’s Consultant and good progress continues to be made. She will keep the NRC updated on the status of the Plan.
Meeting with Green Ribbon Study Committee to Discuss Town Sustainable Energy Plan and a Town Meeting Proposal
Ms. Bowser stated that Ms. Katy Gibson, Chair of Green Ribbon Study Committee would like to meet with the NRC at its next meeting on March 9th to discuss and explain its Sustainable Energy Plan since many of the provisions are of interest to the NRC and its mandate to protect the Town’s natural resources.
Update on National Development Conservation Restriction at 27 Washington Street
Ms. Bowser stated that she will be contacting National Development Corporation soon and that the development of the Conservation Restriction language should be completed shortly as National Development is working through the permitting process and the Restriction should be finalized soon.
New Business/ Old Business/ Liaison Report
Update on Lower Falls /Charles River Park Project
Mr. Seaborn briefly updated the NRC on the status of this project, and he indicated that the Newton Conservation Commission has issued a permit for the bridge work on the Newton side of the project and the project appears ready to move forward and the timeframe has not changed.
Review and Approval of the NRC January 12 and January 15, 2010 Meeting Minutes
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the Meeting Minutes of January 12 and January 15, 2010.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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