Approved - January 24, 2012
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
December 15 2011, 8 AM. Juliani Room, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Ursula King, Vice Chair, Heidi Gross, Secretary, Joan Gaughan, Paul Cramer (leaving at 10 AM), Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Guests: Ann Marie Gross, Advisory Committee Liaison to the NRC, Mary Gard, Co-Chair of the Wellesley Green Schools Council (participation via teleconference).
Public Voice
No one attending the meeting spoke at Public Voice.
Review/Approval of the NRC FY13 Operating Budget Request
Document reviewed for this discussion:
· Natural Resources Commission FY13 Operating Budget Request to the Advisory Committee prepared by NRC Director Janet Hartke Bowser, dated December 15, 2011.
The NRC reviewed the draft FY13 Operating Budget as prepared by Ms. Bowser. Ms. Bowser noted that as previously discussed by the NRC, the Operating Budget reflects an FY13 request for 9 additional hours for the NRC’s Environmental Education Coordinator bringing the total hours per week to 19 hours with no benefits. The NRC briefly discussed this request, which has been made the past two years, but has been deferred by Advisory. Ms. Bowser also discussed with the NRC that the Assistant NRC Director and the NRC Director salary numbers are identified as preliminary, due to the fact that the Assistant NRC Director is currently being recruited and the salary has not yet been established and this number will be inserted into the budget once it is finalized. In addition, as previously discussed with
the NRC, the Director’s position is being reviewed for reclassification, as it has not been reviewed for the past 13 years, and pursuant to the Human Resource Bylaws, all positions, if the content and responsibilities change, are to be reviewed. It was noted that the Director’s responsibilities over the past 13 years have been dramatically increased both in scope and breath, and the job position is being currently reviewed to reflect the position’s responsibilities and statutory requirements. After further review and discussion, a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the FY13 Operating Budget Request with the conditions that two additional salary levels will be revised once finalized.
Review/Approval of the NRC FY13 and 5-Year Capital Budget Request
Document reviewed for this discussion:
· Natural Resources Commission FY13 and 5-Year Capital Budget Request as prepared by NRC Director Janet Hartke Bowser, dated December 15, 2011.
The NRC previously reviewed its FY13 and 5-Year Capital Budget Request and is now making its final review. The FY13 Capital Budget request outlined in priority order is as follows:
· Tree Planting Program - $30,000 (work contracted to DPW)
· Park Sidewalk/Paths Emergency Repairs - $30,000 (work contracted to DPW)
· IPM Turf Plan Implementation - $10,000
· Trail System Improvements - $5,000
· Morses Pond Emergency Erosion Control Project - $45,000.
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the NRC FY13 and 5-Year Capital Budget Request as prepared by NRC Director Janet Hartke Bowser.
NRC Approval of 2013 ATM Warrant Article Re: Carry-Over of Personal Service Funds
Ms. Bowser outlined this Warrant Article that which will allow the NRC to carry-over unexpended personal service funds from FY12 to FY13 that have accrued due to the vacancy in the Assistant NRC Director position. Ms. Bowser stated that she has been doing two full-time jobs while the search for the new Assistant NRC Director has progressed and that there have been substantial savings in personal service funds as a result. Ms. Bowser outlined a warrant article for the 2013 Annual Town Meeting that would allow the NRC to carry-over these personal service funds into FY13 should they be needed due to the increased salaries of the Assistant NRC Director and NRC Director. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve a 2013 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Article to
carry-over personal service funds from the NRC FY12 to the FY 13 operating budget.
Review/Approval of Morses Pond FY13 Operating Budget Request
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the FY13 Morses Pond Comprehensive Management Plan Operating Budget as reviewed with the Morses Pond Manager Ken Wagner and copies have been sent to the DPW Director and the Recreation Director for their review: The FY13 budget includes the following:
· Professional Pond Management Services - $52,020
· Education, LID Monitoring, Design Permitting, and other Professional Pond Support - $15,020
· Weed Harvesting Program - $60,180
· Phosphorus/ Sedimentation Inactivation Station Operation -$ 26,010
· Phosphorus Inactivation Program Monitoring - $7,140
Total $160,370
Review/Approval of Morses Pond FY13 and 5-Year Capital Budget Request
Document reviewed for this discussion:
· Morses Pond Comprehensive Management Plan FY13 and 5-Year Capital Budget Request to the Advisory Committee as prepared by NRC Director Janet Hartke Bowser, dated December 15, 2011.
Ms. Bowser stated that this capital request has been reviewed with Morses Pond Manager Ken Wagner and copies have been sent to the DPW Director and the Recreation Director for their review. Of particular significance is the identification in FY14 of capital funds needed to move forward with the dredging of the Morses Pond Northern Basin. Ms. Bowser stated that there is $500,000 in debt exclusion funds from FY10 for this project, but after going out to bid, it was determined that an additional $440,000 is needed to complete the project.
The 5-year FY13-FY17 Morses Pond Capital Budget Request is as follows:
MORSES POND PLAN ELEMENT |
FY13 |
FY14 |
FY15 |
FY16 |
FY17 |
Total |
Watershed Education Program |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Website Design, Population, Monitoring |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
$4,162 |
$4,200 |
$4,200 |
$32,562 |
Education Program Development |
$10,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$30,000 |
Bylaw Review/Enhancement |
~ |
$25,000 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
$25,000 |
Stormwater Mgt. Improvements /LID |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Design, Permitting, other Support |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
$70,000 |
Construction/ Demo & Monitoring |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
$125,000 |
Localized Plant Control |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Design, Permitting, Other Support |
~ |
$10,000 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
$10,000 |
Hand Harvesting Support |
~ |
$5,000 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
$5,000 |
Monitoring |
$1,000 |
$1,020 |
$1,040 |
$1,061 |
$1,000 |
$5,121 |
Selective Planting |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Design, Permitting, Other Support |
~ |
~ |
$10,000 |
~ |
~ |
$10,000 |
Planting |
~ |
~ |
~ |
$75,000 |
~ |
$75,000 |
Monitoring |
~ |
~ |
~ |
$4,000 |
~ |
~ $4,000 |
Dredging Northern Basin (in addition to existing $500,000 Debt Exclusion Appropriation for total of $940,000) *Note project may be eligible for CPA funding |
~ |
*$440,000 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
$440,000 |
Total |
$66,000 |
$541,020 |
$55,202 |
$124,261 |
$45,200 |
$831,683 |
After further review and discussion, a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the Morses Pond FY13 and 5-Year Capital Budget Request as prepared by NRC Director Janet Hartke Bowser.
Ms. Ann Marie Gross, the Advisory Committee Liaison to the NRC, requested confirmation that the Morses Pond Capital Request for $440,000 as well as the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Project Phase 4 will be included in the Town-Wide Financial Plan. Ms. Bowser confirmed that she has been in contact with Financial Services, notifying them that these two large capital requests should be identified in the Town-Wide Financial Plan.
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the Morses Pond FY13 Comprehensive Management Operating Budget as prepared by NRC Director Janet Hartke Bowser.
Discussion Re: Wellesley Sustainability and Energy Conservation Efforts with Green Schools Council Co-Chair Mary Gard
Ms. Gard participated in this discussion through a phone conference with the NRC. Ms. Gard, who serves as Co-Chair of the Wellesley Green Schools Council, stated that she is attending wearing three hats, including her involvement with the Green Schools Council, the Sustainability Wellesley effort, and the Sustainability Energy Committee. Ms. Gard stated that the Town’s volunteer renewable energy program will be initiating a new effort to encourage residents to reduce energy consumption and increase participation in the Town’s volunteer renewable energy program. Ms. Gard stated that this program supports electricity produced from renewable energy resources from the Wellesley MLP’s volunteer renewable energy program. Through this program renewable energy costs 5 cents per kilowatt hour more
than fossil fuel generation and participants can elect to purchase as little as 10% or as much as 100% renewable energy sources. Ms. Gard stated that the NRC’s efforts on sustainable environmental efforts are a key component of the Town’s overall sustainable efforts and she is requesting the NRC’s assistance in promoting the volunteer renewable energy program. The Town and the Board of Selectmen have voted to promote a 10% level of participation by Town residents in this program and she stated that it would be helpful to have the NRC endorse this program and help in publicity and outreach.
Ms. Bowser stated that the NRC’s Green Wellesley Campaign currently encourages Wellesley residents to utilize cleaner renewable energy technologies, which can reduce the impact of climate change. The MLP program includes options to secure energy from wind turbines, hydro-electric dams and solar panels. Currently the MLP has enrolled 259 or 2.5% of customers in the program and it is a promising first step toward the Town’s goal of a 10% level of participation. Ms. Gard stated that it would be a natural collaboration between the NRC and the Sustainability Energy Committee to encourage members of the NRC’s Green Wellesley Campaign and its Friends groups to participate in the volunteer renewable energy program. Ms. Gard stated that she is specifically asking for the NRC’s participation and
support in the following five efforts:
1. Encourage NRC Members to individually enroll in the volunteer renewable energy program;
2. NRC endorsement of the Board of Selectmen and the Sustainability Energy Committee’s goal of 10% participation of Wellesley residents in the voluntary renewable energy program;
3. NRC collaboration in publicizing the voluntary renewable energy program;
4. Placing a link on the NRC web page for the voluntary renewable energy program; and
5. Submittal of a letter from the NRC to the editor of the Townsman and other news sources outlining the NRC’s support for the program.
After further discussion, the NRC agreed to support all five actions and they stated that the NRC is already active in supporting energy conservation efforts and they will continue to do so. The NRC’s broad base of support will allow them to communicate with their supporters in the early spring when the new voluntary renewable energy program is promoted. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to approve and support all five actions as outlined above and as requested by Ms. Mary Gard, Co-Chair of the Wellesley Green Schools Council.
Review and Approval of the Town-Wide Encroachment Correction Policy and Procedures
Documents reviewed for this discussion:
· Memorandum entitled “Adoption of Uniform Encroachment Policy and Correction Enforcement Procedures,” dated November 3, 2011 from the Wellesley Encroachment Committee.
· Draft Policy for Encroachments on Town Land, dated October 19, 2011, prepared by the Wellesley Encroachment Committee.
· Encroachment Correction Process, dated October 19, 2011, drafted by the Wellesley Encroachment Committee.
Ms. King, who serves as chair of the Wellesley Town-Wide Encroachment Committee, reviewed 3 documents with the NRC as identified above. The draft policy, dated October 19, 2011, outlines the background, policy statement, and classification of encroachments, as follows:
POLICY FOR ENCROACHMENTS ON TOWN LAND
Background
As used in this policy statement the term “Encroachments” involve a wide variety of intrusions by landowners, including building of retaining walls and/or structures, landscaping and dumping on Town land.
Several Town bodies hold land under their jurisdiction, including the Natural Resources Commission, Board of Selectmen, Board of Public Works, School Committee, Board of Library Trustees and the Municipal Light Plant Board.
In order to ensure that there is one policy on encroachments governing all Town land, a working group comprised of representatives of all Boards with jurisdiction over Town land and the Trails Committee studied the issues relating to encroachments and have relied heavily on the work undertaken by the Natural Resources Commission with its adoption in 2006 of an “Encroachment Correction Policy”. The working group recommended that each Board with land under its jurisdiction adopt this Policy Statement along with the encroachment correction process. The working group also recommended that each Board, in its assessment of encroachments on land under its jurisdiction, classify the encroachments based on the criteria set forth below.
Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Town to protect and preserve Town land. Accordingly, as a general rule, the Town will seek to correct encroachments on Town land, to be carried out by the Board under whose jurisdiction the land is located. The encroaching party will be required to restore the land to its original condition. The encroaching party will be required to pay for all expenses related to correcting the encroachment, including, but not limited to, having the land surveyed and marked and for developing and implementing a restoration plan subject to the review and approval of such Board. In the absence of the cooperation by the encroaching party, such Board, as land owner, may develop and implement such restoration plan or seek further legal remedies, including the imposition of a
municipal lien with the approval of the Board of Selectmen.
Classification
Given the variety of encroachments on Town land, the potentially significant use of staff resources and the cost of enforcing this policy and correcting encroachments, the Town recognizes the need to determine priorities for enforcement. To this end, the Town has categorized encroachments on Town land into the following three levels:
Level III: Encroachments that pose potential or immediate safety, health or other hazardous condition
Level II: Encroachments which impose significant intrusions on Town land by, including but not limited to, structures, landscaping, or significant dumping, that impedes the public’s ability to use and enjoy Town land; or impede the public awareness of where the Town land ends and privately owned land begins
Level I: Other encroachments on Town property not falling within Level II or Level III.
Ms. King stated that the Town-Wide Encroachment Correction Policy and Procedures are based on the NRC’s existing Policy and Procedures, which have been in place for over 5 years. The NRC is the only Town board that has an Encroachment Correction Policy and has been working consistently on correcting encroachments. Ms. King stated that the Wellesley Encroachment Committee includes herself, Ms. Bowser, and representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Library, Public Works, the School Committee and Trails Committee. Ms. King stated that the only change from the NRC policy is with regards to classification of encroachments. Ms. King stated that the Town-Wide Policy has three levels of encroachments, with the level 3, being the most serious, with a potential or immediate threat to safety, health or other hazardous
condition. Ms. Bowser noted that while the NRC’s current Encroachment Policy does not formally classify the 3 levels, she has been operating on this basis and has been making priorities for those encroachments that pose an immediate safety, health or other hazardous condition. Ms. Bowser noted that currently no known encroachments on NRC land that could be categorized as a level 3 and most are level 1 or level 2.
Ms. King stated that the Encroachment Committee would like the NRC’s support for the draft policy and procedures and then a final policy will come back to the NRC in January after all other boards that have jurisdiction over land have reviewed and made comments on the draft policy and procedures. Ms. King noted that the goal is to bring to the 2012 Annual Town Meeting a proposal that would allow the Board of Selectmen to impose a municipal lien on a property where the property owner does not cooperate with the Town in correcting an encroachment. Ms. King stated that the Encroachment Committee has had several discussions as to whether or not this was a needed provision, and it was felt that this would be a strong incentive and would give the Town the power to impose a municipal lien on a property, if the
property owner is not cooperative in correcting an encroachment. Ms. Bowser noted that in her experience in enforcing the NRC’s Encroachment Correction Policy that all property owners have been cooperative and there has not been a situation where the Town has had to pay to correct an encroachment or seek reimbursement of funds, but such a situation could occur and having the power to impose a municipal lien would give the Town substantial leverage and authority in correcting encroachments. It was noted that there was a recent letter to the editor in the Townsman from Ms. King regarding the Town-wide Encroachment Policy, as well as an interview with her in the Townsman. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve and support the draft Encroachment Correction Policy and Procedures.
Discussion and Vote on Fuller Brook Park Priority 1 Tree Removals and Stabilization Work
Document reviewed for this discussion:
· Spreadsheet outlining Fuller Brook Park Priority 1 Tree Removals, dated December, 2011, prepared by Mike Quinn, DPW Supt., Park and Tree Div.
· Priority 1 Fuller Brook Park Tree Removals and Tree Stabilization Spreadsheet, dated December, 2011, prepared by Mike Quinn, DPW Superintendent, Park and Tree Div.
Ms. Bowser stated that the Tree Specialists Report for the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Project, entitled “Assessment and Treatment Recommendations Report”, outlines Priority 1 work for Tree Removals and Tree Stabilization Work including pruning and cabling. Ms. Bowser stated that as a result of the insurance settlement received from the Boulder Brook Reservation tree removal incident, Town Meeting approved funding to complete the Priority #1 Tree Removal and Tree Stabilization work. Ms. Bowser noted that the tree removal work has been broken out into two phases. Phase 1 was completed by the DPW and focused on the trees near intersections, which could be completed in the summer when traffic was low. Phase 2 of the priority tree removal work is now being considered by the NRC. The NRC
discussed their concerns and noted that the work could be completed just as the tree removal work, or as tree removal and stabilization and pruning work, which may result in some cost savings, since the work on both could be done at the same time. The NRC discussed issues as to whether or not it would be preferable to have the stabilization and pruning work put out to bid. There was a general agreement by the NRC that the DPW should complete the tree removal work, but the NRC would like to further discuss issues relating to the stabilization and pruning work with the DPW and with Tree Specialists. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 4-0 to approve having the DPW complete the Fuller Brook Park Priority #1 Tree Removal work.
Director’s Report
Development of Town Forest Stewardship Management Plan
Ms. Bowser stated that she continues to work with a volunteer graduate student toward development of a Town Forest Stewardship Management Plan and a draft plan should be ready for the NRC’s review in early spring.
Mass. Tree Warden’s Conference on “Sustainable Urban Landscapes” January 11-12th
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the brochure regarding this conference and encouraged NRC Members to attend.
Hunnewell Field Skating Rink Project Update
Ms. Bowser stated that the NRC has approved this project and that the Recreation Commission is waiting for the ground to freeze before initiating the project. Ms. Bowser will keep the NRC updated on the status of the project.
Morses Pond Management Plan Implementation/Rain Garden Project
Ms. Bowser stated she continues to work with the NRC’s consultant on this project and the Morses Pond Manager to move forward on the Comprehensive Management Plan. Ms. Bowser said that because of competing priorities, the Comprehensive Management Plan has not been a top priority for the NRC and this needs to be further discussed as the NRC moves into its strategic planning process.
Boulder Brook Reservation Tree Restoration Project
Ms. Bowser updated the NRC on Phase 1 of the Boulder Brook Reservation Tree Restoration Project as outlined in the documents dated October 6, 2011 by Dave Hawkins, the NRC’s consulting arborist on this project. Site 1 path clean-up was completed on December 14th by Tree Specialists and overseen by Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins reported that all tree work went well and Tree Specialists were able to complete the following items in approximately half the time originally proposed:
· Cut-up and relocate wood on the ground from the illegal cutting operation;
· Cutting of stumps to ground level with those stumps next to the pathway being cut close to the ground as they present a trip hazard to path users, otherwise measures were taken to preserve stumps in the impacted area that are re-sprouting; and
· Repair or removal of damaged trees.
Mr. Hawkins confirmed that all trees damaged beyond repair were cut down or removed to other areas on the reservation at his discretion and that all branches or limbs left hanging as a result of the illegal cutting operation were pruned and removed from the area near the pathway. Ms. Bowser stated that she will take site photographs to confirm the existing conditions and that the NRC will further discuss Task 2 which is species control, and Task 3, which is stump regeneration, in the spring.
Cluster Development December 5, 2011 Public Forum Feedback
Document reviewed for this discussion:
· Written Statement by Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director, entitled “Support for Open Space and Natural Resource Protection Zoning,” prepared for Cluster Development Public Forum, December 5, 2011.
Ms. Bowser reviewed a document she wrote and submitted at the Cluster Development Forum on December 5, 2011. Ms. Bowser stated that the Planning Board currently has a Cluster Development Zoning Bylaw on the books, but it has never been used and is quite cumbersome and does not adequately protect open space and natural resources. Ms. Bowser stated that she submitted her document at the Forum, which was also attended by Ms. King. Ms. Bowser urged the Planning Board and its consultant working on this project to examine the full range of creative design and zoning requirements to provide maximum protection to the Town’s open space and natural resources when considering revising its cluster development zoning. Ms. Bowser stated that few cluster development zoning bylaws have established significant standards
for the quantity, quality and configuration of open space to be preserved and for the natural resources to be protected and she strongly encouraged the Planning Board to develop significant protection for open space in any cluster development zoning bylaw. Ms. Bowser stated that the Planning Board is only in the beginning phases of this project and they have not secured funding for the next step, which would be the actual development of a bylaw.
NRC Vote to Issue a Permit for Addressing Beaver Activity in a Wetland Resource Area in and around the Town’s Recycling and Disposal Facility Area
Documents reviewed for this discussion:
· Draft Emergency Certification Form under the State Wetlands Protection Act, as drafted by Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director;
· Memorandum from Doug Stewart, Assistant Town Engineer, entitled “Town of Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility, 169 Great Plain Avenue, Beaver Dam Breaching Plan,” dated December 8, 2011, with an accompanying site plan showing the locations of the beaver dams at the Town’s Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility.
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the DPW’s Beaver Dam Breaching Plan and she stated that she has attended several meetings with the DPW, the Board of Heath, and the Animal Control Officer regarding the Town’s course of action to address the beaver dams at the Town’s Recycling and Disposal Facility located at 169 Great Plain Avenue. Of specific concern, are two beaver dams in the area of Fuller Brook, where the water channels to a narrow opening of approximately 15 ft. Ms. Bowser stated that she conducted site visits on October 27th when the problem first became known to the Town as well as on December 12, 2011, to confirm existing site conditions. The DPW has indicated that due to the homes on Eisenhower Circle and Cartwright Road being located in low-lying areas that the dams are
not in a place where flooding can be tolerated and these areas have been recommended to be deemed no-tolerance zones for beavers by Mike Callahan, Beaver Control Specialist. The DPW has requested permission from the NRC to breach the beaver dams and also requested that the Board of Health issue an Emergency Certification indicating that there is an imminent public health or safety issues related to the beaver dams. Ms. Bowser stated that on December 14, 2011 the Board of Heath issued an Emergency Certification, which is required before the NRC can issue a permit. Ms. Bowser stated that the Wetlands Protection Act Emergency Certification allows for activities related to breaching of beaver dams, bogs, dikes or berms and installation of non-lethal management or water flow devices as outlined in the DPW’s Plan, dated December 8, 2011. The NRC’s Emergency Permit states that all work to be performed under the Emergency Permit is limited to work deemed to be necessary to
abate the emergency posed by beaver activity as outlined in the DPW’s Plan. The NRC’s permit states that all work shall be conducted in the maximum environmentally sensitive manner possible, and the DPW and its contractors shall provide written weekly activity reports to the NRC outlining all actions taken in pursuant to the permit. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the Emergency Certification for addressing beaver activity and beaver dam breaching and the permit is issued as of December 15, 2011 and runs through January 15, 2012.
27 Washington Street Conservation Restriction and Riverwalk Park and Landscaping
Ms. Bowser stated that she has received a draft Conservation Restriction from National Development for this property and she will be reviewing it and submitting comments back to National Development. She stated that it is hoped that the Conservation Restriction can be finalized by early spring and she will keep the NRC updated on the status of this matter.
Fuller Brook Park Preservation Project Phase 3 and Phase 2.1 Demonstration Path
Ms. Bowser, Ms. King and Ms. Gross updated the NRC on the status of this project. Ms. Bowser stated that the project management team made up of Town staff and the consultants are working to move forward with the project. The demonstration path, while not installed per specifications, will provide the Town with valuable information with regard to the surface and subsurface conditions of the demonstration path
NRC Meeting with Advisory Committee Re: Capital Budget and Operating Budget Requests
Ms. Bowser stated that she and Mr. Seaborn will be preparing the NRC’s presentation on the NRC and Morses Pond Capital Budgets and they will attend the Advisory Meeting on December 21, 2011. In addition, she stated that she and Mr. Seaborn will be attending the Advisory Meeting on January 18, 2012 to present the NRC’s and Morses Pond Operating Budgets to Advisory. All NRC Members are encouraged to attend these meetings as well.
Bat House Installation Project by Eagle Scout
Ms. Bowser stated that she had received a request by email from an Eagle Scout who would like to install bat houses on NRC properties. The NRC supported this project and Ms. Gaughan volunteered to work on this project with the Eagle Scout.
Installation of Fuller Brook Bulletin Board Sign at State Street
Ms. Bowser stated that the DPW will install this sign at the intersection of State Street and Fuller Brook Park, which will provide visible and valuable information on the Fuller Brook Project for Town Residents.
New Business/Continuing Business/Liaison Report
Update on Lower Falls Charles River Park Project
Mr. Seaborn updated the NRC on this project and noted that a ribbon cutting will be held this spring and he will notify the NRC Members once it has been scheduled. In addition, he stated that National Development hopes to install its Riverwalk Park shortly and that most landscaping has been installed in this area.
NRC Program on “Journey of the Universe”
Mr. Seaborn and Ms. Gross voiced their interest in purchasing the DVD of the PBS Program “Journey of the Universe,” and the NRC approved this purchase. The NRC will pursue organizing a program at the Library around this program.
NRC Meeting Schedule
After discussion, the NRC scheduled their next meetings as follows: January 24, 2012, at 7:30 PM, NRC Office; February 29, 2012, 8:00 AM, Juliani Room, Town Hall; March 26, 2012, 6:30 PM, Wellesley Middle School, prior to the beginning of the Annual Town Meeting at 7:30 PM.
Review and Approval of NRC November 29, 2011 Meeting Minutes
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to approve the Meeting Minutes of November 29, 2011 as written.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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