Approved 3/25/2010
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
February 24, 2010, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Paul Cramer, Vice Chair, Heidi Gross, Secretary, Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Absent: Joan Gaughan, Richard Bashian.
Guests: Ursula King.
Public Voice
No one at the Meeting spoke at Public Voice.
Update on Fuller Brook Park Master Plan CPA Funding Application
Mr. Seaborn, Ms. Gross, and Ms. Bowser updated the NRC on the status of this project. The CPC, NRC, and the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee will be meeting with the Advisory Committee later this evening at 8:15 PM to discuss the FY11 request for this project. The CPC approved the Phase 1 $250,000 Project Request as well as $5,000 in administration funds to assist with the project through the beginning of Fiscal Year 2011. Ms. Gross updated the NRC on the status of the boundary topo and wetlands survey to be completed by the DPW under Phase 1.
Director’s Report
Update on Status of NRC and Morses Pond FY11 Capital and Operating Budget Requests
Ms. Bowser stated that the Advisory Committee voted to reduce funding for both the NRC and Morses Pond FY11 Capital Requests. She stated that the Advisory Committee recommended funding a total of $50,000 for NRC FY11 Capital and Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC its prioritized capital projects. The NRC discussed including in FY11 $30,000 for the Tree Planting Program and $20,000 for Emergency Park, Path and Sidewalk Repairs. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 3-0 to approve its FY11 Capital Budget Request as revised to fund $30,000 for its Public Tree Fund and $20,000 for Emergency Park, Path and Sidewalk Repairs, and deferring all other capital projects.
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the FY11 Morses Pond Capital Budget Request. She stated that the
Advisory Committee has approved $50,500 for the Morses Pond FY11 Request, which she would recommend being broken down as $20,000 for the Watershed Education Program, $29,000 for Stormwater Management Improvements and $1,500 for selective plantings and manual harvesting for a total of $50,500. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to approve the reduced FY11 Morses Pond Capital Budget Request for $50,500 to include $20,000 for the Watershed Education Program, $29,000 for Stormwater Management Improvements and $1,500 for selective plantings and manual harvesting.
Update on Status of Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Ms. Bowser reported that the NRC’s Consultant, Julia Bowker, has taken a full-time position, but that she will make herself available to assist the Director in completing the Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Meeting with Green Ribbon Study Committee to Discuss Town Sustainable Energy Plan and Annual Town Meeting Proposal
Ms. Bowser stated that Ms. Katy Gibson, Chair of the Green Ribbon Study Committee, would like to meet with the NRC at its next meeting on March 9th to discuss the Committee’s Sustainable Energy Plan since many of the Committee’s provisions are related to the NRC’s mandate to protect the Town’s natural resources.
Executive Session Regarding Potential Litigation
After a motion was made and seconded, each NRC Member was individually polled and voted in favor of entering into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing potential litigation.
Liaison Report/ New Business/ Old Business
Update on Lower Falls /Charles River Park Project
Mr. Seaborn confirmed that the Newton Conservation Commission has issued a wetlands permit for the proposed work on the Newton side of the bridge and adjoining park. Mr. Seaborn indicated that the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) plans to begin construction in April and they are coordinating the site staging work with National Development. Mr. Seaborn stated that his communications with the Board of Selectmen indicate that they will likely pursue CPA funding for the park on municipal land adjacent to the bridge at the Fall Special Town Meeting in 2010.
Update on Senior Center Off-Site Parking at Morton Field
Mr. Seaborn reported that he received confirmation from Barbara Searle, Chair of the Board of Selectmen, that the Board does do not need to further negotiate with the NRC regarding additional Senior Center parking at Morton Field due to the fact that an agreement is pending for acquisition of property abutting the Senior Center that will provide adequate off-site parking. Mr. Seaborn indicated that Ms. Searle wanted to thank the NRC for working with them to try to work out a parking arrangement for the Senior Center.
Meeting with Advisory Committee, Community Preservation Committee, and Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee Regarding the NRC’s FY11 Request for Phase 1 of the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan
Mr. Seaborn outlined the components of Phase 1 of the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan and there was extensive discussion with the Advisory Committee and members of the Community Preservation Committee regarding the project, which has been approved by the CPC. There was extensive review and discussion regarding all components of Phase 1 and their associated costs. Mr. Jack Morgan, Chair of the CPC, stated that the Fuller Brook Park is eligible for CPA funding as a historic resource since it has been deemed eligible for placement on the National Register of Historic Places by the Massachusetts Historic Commission and has also been deemed a historic resource by the Wellesley Historic Commission. Since it is eligible under both of these provisions, Mr. Morgan indicated that it is eligible for funding under
the Community Preservation Act.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for March 9th at 7:30 PM in the NRC Office.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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