Approved April 5, 2010
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
March 9, 2010, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Heidi Gross, Secretary, Ursula King, Joan Gaughan, Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Absent: Paul Cramer, Vice Chair.
Guests: Katy Gibson, Chair, Green Ribbon Study Committee, Pace Wilson, Wellesley Dog Group.
Public Voice
No one attending the meeting spoke at Public Voice.
Introduction and Welcome to new NRC Member Ursula King
Mr. Seaborn welcomed NRC’s newest member, Ursula King, to the Board.
Presentation and Discussion: RE: Green Ribbon Study Committee’s Sustainable Energy Plan
Ms. Katy Gibson, Chair of the Green Ribbon Study Committee, made a brief presentation on the Committee’s Sustainable Energy Plan to be presented for approval at the 2010 Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Gibson stated that recognizing the importance of developing and adopting local sustainable practices to reduce energy use and the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, the 2008 Annual Town Meeting commissioned the Green Ribbon Study Committee to develop a sustainable energy plan for the Town that identifies policies and actions that will increase energy conservation and efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at both the public and private levels.
Based on the Committee’s preliminary work, the 2009 Town Meeting set a goal to reduce emissions to 10% below 2007 levels by 2013. In order to reach this target at least 440,500 tons of CO2 have to be eliminated from the Town’s emissions over the next four years. Ms. Gibson stated that while this goal may appear to be relatively modest, in the context of increasing energy usage and emissions, it will require the concerted efforts of the Town’s residents, businesses, institutions and municipal government to attain. Ms. Gibson reviewed with the NRC the Sustainable Energy Plan that outlines measures that the Town has already undertaken and outlines actions that the Town is encouraged to take in order to reach the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target by 2013. Ms. Gibson noted that while the
overall goal is 10%, that the Plan establishes a target reduction in overall municipal energy use of 20% by 2010. Ms. Gibson outlined the measures in the plans, which includes actions related to increasing energy efficiency and conservation in buildings and in infrastructure, reducing vehicle miles traveled and increasing vehicle fuel efficiency, improving management of solid waste, and purchasing electricity from renewable resources. Ms. Gibson stated that the next step, once approved by Town Meeting, will involve the prioritization and evaluation of the measures proposed in the plan. The Town’s Sustainable Energy Committee, to be formed at Town Meeting in 2010, will work together with Town Departments and Boards, such as the NRC, and will be charged with the task to determine which measures are most appropriate for the Town to implement and then to gain approval from Town Meeting and any other boards as necessary. One of the key components of the plan is an education
and outreach campaign that will strive to build general awareness and sustain program support, as well as using traditional media tools and creating a committee to promote awareness. Ms. Gibson concluded by stating that they would like to include the NRC in this committee to promote educational awareness. The NRC indicated that they would be open to serving on such a committee. Ms. Bowser inquired as to whether the Sustainable Energy Committee will broaden its scope in the near future to examine other sustainable programs and practices such as sustainable ecological practices, land management practices that aim to adapt to and reduce CO2 emissions and to protect bio-diversity, as well as to adopt green practices and operations that will reduce the Town’s carbon footprint and also look at water consumption and water quality issues as they impact sustainable practices. Ms. Gibson stated that at this point, these issues are beyond the scope of the
Committee, but that she will bring these issues back for consideration by the Committee as it moves forward. The NRC agreed that they share many interests regarding sustainability with the Green Ribbon Study Committee, and they look forward to an ongoing dialogue and partnership with the Committee to promote awareness regarding sustainability and energy conservation. Ms. Gaughan indicated that she would like to see the Trails Committee expand its scope of interest to include improving bicycle routes and safety in Town as well as making the Town’s trails more bike friendly. The NRC indicated that because the Trails Committee is a subcommittee of the NRC that they could certainly require and encourage the Trails Committee
to expand its scope. Ms. Bowser noted that the original committee formed by the NRC was a bike and pedestrian task force, and somewhere along the way, the original charter and mission for this committee became more narrow. Ms. King indicated that she supported expanding the Trails Committee to include bike and pedestrian safety, and we may be able to broaden the scope if we advertise for more volunteers for these interests.
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to endorse the Green Ribbon Study Committee’s “Sustainable Energy Plan” and offer its support and involvement in the successful implementation of the plan.
Ms. King indicated that she serves on the Green Schools Committee in Town and that there may be some overlap and partnership between the Green Ribbon Study Committee and the Green Schools Program. Ms. Gross indicated that because the NRC focuses on the ecological health of the environment, that a sustainable land use policy or practice, including the elimination of pesticides should be included in the expanded scope of any future plan. Mr. Seaborn thanked Ms. Gibson for attending the meeting and for all of her work with the committee in bringing forward the Sustainable Energy Plan to Town Meeting.
Update on Fuller Brook Park Master Plan, Coordinating Committee, CPC Application
Mr. Seaborn updated the NRC on the progress being made on the Fuller Brook Park Phase I Funding Request and progress by the Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee. Mr. Seaborn noted that the Advisory Committee voted 12-0 with one abstention in support of the Fuller Brook Park Phase I Funding Request. He noted that the Advisory Committee indicated that in the future the Advisory Committee anticipates that the CPC will fund the entire project moving forward due to the lack of capital funds from the Town. There was further discussion regarding specific components of the Phase I Project. Ms. Bowser noted that a site walk along the entire park was scheduled for March 18th at 9 AM with Mr. Chris Greene of Halvorson Design Partnership to review in detail with the Coordinating Committee and
the DPW staff the components of the Master Plan and site conditions.
Director’s Report
Update on Winter Moth Control 2010 Program
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC memorandum dated February 25, 2010 regarding Wellesley’s 2010 Winter Moth Control Program from Mike Quinn, Assistant Superintendent of Parks and Trees at the DPW. Ms. Bowser stated that this is the NRC’s second year for implementing a Winter Moth Control Program. She stated that the DPW will be selectively spraying Town trees to control winter moth caterpillars that are defoliating Town trees. The program calls for the trees to be treated with Conserve #SC, a spinosad product. Applications will take place from April 17- May 22, between the hours of 5 AM and 10 AM. All treated areas will be posted 24 hours before and after applications. She indicated that maps depicting the areas to be sprayed are on file with the DPW. Ms. Bowser noted that school
properties will be sprayed during April school vacation week and that no standard notification to the schools will be required under the Children’s and Family Protection Act M.G.L. Chapter 85. The Town will be prioritizing tree spraying and will focus 0on the highly valued trees found in parks, around public buildings, and recently planted trees that are infested with winter moth caterpillars. Ms. Bowser noted that as a part of the program in 2008, under a grant from the University of Massachusetts Extension Service and the State DCR that a large number of predatory flies to the winter moth caterpillar were introduced into the Centennial Reservation area as a test site, which has shown some good progress. The hope is that this biological control program will work naturally to reduce the need for spraying of this destructive pest. Ms. King noted that the memo outlined guidelines for private property owners to address their own trees and she recommended that
this information be placed on the Town website. Ms. Bowser will follow-up on this matter to ensure that the DPW posts this information on their website. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the Wellesley 2010 Winter Moth Control Program on NRC land as outlined in a memorandum from Mr. Michael Quinn dated February 25, 2010.
Update/Discussion/Vote Re: Brookside Community Garden Regulations
Ms. Bowser noted that the NRC currently administers the Brookside Community Gardens on Brookside Avenue as a courtesy to the DPW, which has jurisdiction over the land. Ms. Bowser stated that over the last several years there has been a growing interest from Town residents in joining the Gardens and that the Town now has a Wait List of 27 residents going back to 2007. There are 30 plots in the Gardens and that turnover is very low and that there are three residents that have two plots each. In response to the increasing demands for plots and in an effort to be fair in providing as many plots as possible to the Town’s residents, it is proposed that the NRC recommend to the Board of Public Works that a new regulation be promulgated allowing only one garden plot per family. The NRC reviewed the list of
current gardeners, and those on the Wait List, a map of the garden plots, as well as the Board of Public Works garden regulations. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to recommend to the Board of Public Works that a new regulation be promulgated that permits only one garden plot per family due to the increased demand for plots. Ms. Bowser will forward this memo to the Board of Public Works for their review and vote on the new regulation. The NRC noted that at some point in the future they would like to evaluate additional areas for expanding the Town’s community gardens, but this should be a Town-wide effort with other Boards as well as with interested residents, as this will require a substantial amount of time and resources.
Update on Public Tree Removal Violation at Boulder Brook Reservation
Ms. Bowser stated that she and Al Robinson, Town Counsel, are currently in the process of interviewing the eyewitness who viewed the tree removals at Boulder Brook, as well as interviewing Bob Campana, the property manager for Mr. Belkin. Ms. Bowser stated that she will forward her interview notes to the NRC once the interviews are completed for further review and discussion with the NRC as to how to proceed with this matter.
It was the sense of the NRC that they would like to have Mr. Belkin interviewed and that the NRC be allowed to conduct a site visit on the Belkin property, since they would need the Belkin’s permission to enter their land.
Update on St. James Land Use Study and Site Use Options
Ms. Bowser noted that the Recreation Commission continues to propose the Town’s acquisition of the St. James property for a recreation complex as part of the St. James land use study and that there is no current proposal to use any of the land for open space.
Update on Maple Sugaring Request from Natick Community Organic Farm
Ms. King recused herself from the discussion, since she is currently an employee under contract with the Natick Community Organic Farm. Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a request from the Natick Community Organic Farm to tap sugar maples throughout Wellesley as part of their maple sugaring program. The same request was submitted last year and the DPW arborist staff had a number of concerns and they opposed the tapping of Town trees for the following reasons:
1. The tapping places unnecessary stress on trees that are already stressed by the winter moth, past drought, and environmental conditions;
2. The DPW staff does not have the time to evaluate, monitor, and manage an agricultural program of this type. If this was to be done the DPW staff would have to be reimbursed for their time at $41.46 per hour. This is similar to what the DPW has done for past activities that place an unnecessary burden on the DPW’s resources. An example of this is the Wellesley Fun Run, where that organization pays for the DPW staff to be on-site for the event;
3. The DPW does not have a policy in place to cover the issues that could arise from this program including:
1) What if other organizations want to tap the Town Trees?
2) Is this for-profit or non-profit, and if for-profit, how is the Town reimbursed, and would we need to develop an RFP or bid?
3) What benefit does the Town receive from the non-profit?
4) Town liability and permit insurance requirements are a concern.
5) Who assures quality and contamination control on public property?
6) This is a change in use of trees from Public Shade Trees to agricultural products and is this change in the NRC’s mission?
7) What do other towns do in regard to maple sugaring on public land?
8) What is the Town’s tapping policy? What size trees are tapped? How many taps per tree?
9) Who is going to research, write, and develop a new public policy?
It was noted from Mr. Mike Quinn, Assistant Superintendent of Parks and Trees, that this type of program would not be a priority of the DPW at this time, especially with the current economic situation and projected fiscal budget decrease and current limited resources.
Mr. Quinn noted that the DPW would certainly like to be part of a program like this, but based on the DPW’s primary mission, other existing priorities, and the health concerns for the trees, the DPW cannot justify tapping trees in Wellesley. The NRC discussed these concerns and indicated that while these are major significant concerns, they would like to at least pursue whether the Natick Community Farms has identified the trees that they would like to tap. Ms. Bowser will follow-up, but due to other competing priorities, this will not be a top priority, and will be examined at a future time.
Update on Status of Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Ms. Bowser noted that the NRC’s Consultant, Julia Bowker, has taken a full time position and will no longer be working with Ms. Bowser on a regular basis. Ms. Bowser noted that the plan is near completion and Ms. Bowker noted that she may be available to help in the near future. Ms. Bowser noted that because of competing priorities, including the Fuller Brook Park and Morses Pond Projects, the plan will be put on the back burner until further notice.
Spring Off-Leash Dog Regulations at Perrin Park– NRC Vote to be taken on 3/23/2010
Ms. Bowser noted that the current winter off-leash dog regulations at Perrin Park expire on March 31st and that at the NRC’s next meeting on March 23, 2010 they will vote on the spring off-leash dog regulations. Ms. Bowser stated that she will circulate last year’s hours to the NRC and will confirm Perrin field use hours with the soccer and lacrosse organizations that the off-leash hours will not conflict.
Update on Wellesley Country Club ZBA Special Permit Application
Ms. Bowser noted that recently there has been some confusion and much outcry from the neighborhood around the Wellesley Country Club, which has filed an application for a Special Permit with the ZBA. Ms. Bowser stated that specifically the Country Club is seeking a special permit in a Water Supply Protection District for a new equipment maintenance facility, environmental management center, storage operation, and a lightning shelter comfort station and are proposing to move a pre-existing non-conforming fuel storage and equipment fueling operation from the Clubhouse area to a new area to be located near Brookside Road. Ms. Bowser stated that the NRC has not received any information from the ZBA or the Country Club regarding this proposal. Ms. Bowser stated that it is unusual for the ZBA to allow
a project in a wetlands resource area to proceed since they usually require a Wetlands Permit to be issued prior to being proposed to the ZBA. Ms. Bowser stated that at this point the Country Club has chosen to put their application on hold until they can further inform the abutters and the neighborhood on the proposal. A letter from the Country Club’s attorney indicated that the Country Club will endeavor to let all parties who have indicated concern be aware of all information regarding the application. Ms. Bowser will keep the NRC informed on the status of this project.
Liaison Report/ New Business/ Continuing Business
Update on Lower Falls Charles River Park Project
Mr. Seaborn updated the NRC on the status of this project and indicated that the State Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is in the process of choosing a contractor to begin the bridge work, which is scheduled to begin in late April. He stated that Barbara Searle, Chair of the Board of Selectmen, has indicated that the Selectmen will be meeting with National Development Corporation soon to see if they will fund a portion of the park improvement project on the Wellesley side.
Review and Approval of the NRC Meeting Minutes
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2010 as written.
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the Meeting Minutes of February 9, 2010 as written.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for March 23, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the NRC Office.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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