Minutes

Open Space committee  

Dec 8, 2015

Those Present:  Nancy Rea, Chair, Tom Slack, Bob Jackson, Lynn Southey, Liz McDonald, Nancy Golden, Bruce Hurter

Guest: Denny O’Connell, WCT

Agenda approved

Minutes of Nov. 3 meeting: Approved with corrections

Reports

Chair: Nancy Rea.  Nancy presented the Five Year Plan for OSC to BOS at their Nov 10 meeting. Goals and objectives of the plan had been submitted to each member prior to the meeting. Also shared were the results of the OSC survey of Town residents. This information was received favorably by the BOS with no new suggestions.  A public hearing on the final 5-year plan will be held before final approval of BOS and final submission of the report to the state.

The three Town properties OSC has recommended for Conservation Committee protection were also presented to BOS on Nov 10. There was no major objection and the Town Administrator has started the process of appropriate committee reviews before the TM articles are prepared.

Vice Chair: Tom Slack. Tom attended the NRAB meeting Nov 13. The three properties noted above were discussed and the recommendation for protection was approved 3-0. Wellfleet harbor dredging and possible ways to study its effects and possible ways of delaying or avoiding large scale dredging in the future were also discussed.  The group discussed a report of recommendations NRAB will be sending to BOS regarding climate change in Wellfleet. (Copies of the current draft will be sent to OSC members and Denny)

Standing Assignments

Property Management: Bob Jackson.  Maggie Gardener, AmeriCorps, is aware of all properties and has done some inspections.

Dog leash regulations:  Bob noted the appearance of a large sign that has appeared in the Paine Hollow area warning about dangers of dog contamination of shellfish beds. Further signage in other areas might be done with cooperation of shellfish advisory committee.

Liaison Reports

WCT: Bruce Hurter.  Link property fund drive has been very successful to date with $166,000 raised from 196 donors.  Grant applications are still pending.

Map 23-#293 (see previous minutes) price of $450,000 reflects full access, which is in question. WCT will not pursue until this is clarified.

Debbie Freeman and Sue Anthony (WCT) are working on developing consistent signage for trust properties and would welcome input re inclusion of Town property information.

FHR: Tom Slack (for Lynn).  Meeting 11/13/15. New Exec. Director Chris Rein reported on his first 6 weeks on the job. Initial efforts include scheduling, blue carbon initiative, adaptive management, and looking at funding sources that may not have been approached.

The Library series of 3 programs on the HR project was well received and will be repeated in an evening series in early 2016

Several HR related issues presented at State of the Harbor Conference in Nov were also well attended.

Marc Tannis, CCNS, presented video of computer graphics model of the HR estuary

Administrative assistant being hired, with 4 candidates being interviewed.

Funding issues discussed including requesting funds for specific projects, such as up river culverts. Need to demonstrate that money is being used for projects, not just admin.

CPC: Bob Jackson. The CPC voted to recommend the OSC’s warrant item to place 3 marshland lots in Conscom protection.

OSC interest on debt will soon be below the 10% required allotment for land conservation. There should be some surplus funds next year.

Roughly $364,000 of CPC funds are estimated available for new projects.

Elaine McIlroy noted that Cape Cod Village really falls into the category of affordable housing. They are applying for funds.

Housing is applying for a $50,000 grant for a one-year pilot project. The request is to hire a consultant to advise how to deal with the authorities and get projects moving along more quickly.

Cape Cod Village, Adams Lodge Masons, The Pond Hill School and the Historical Society have been invited back to present their proposals and answer questions at the 12/16 meeting.

Old Business

Open Space Plan.  See Chairman’s report.  Also concern expressed about the stated goal of 50% of available property to be set aside for open space. This may have to be modified if not practical.

Children’s Trail Activities: Bob.  Wellfleet Elementary PTA chairs are enthusiastic about the project. They and their kids may be able to test some of the materials before they are finalized. A working group will look at more specific recommendations (Bob J, Nancy G, Liz M and Lynn S).

Properties for Consideration

No new activity

New Business

Nancy is preparing the Annual Report of OSC.  Activities we have been involved with in the past year discussed. Nancy will welcome any more specific suggestions.

Next Meeting:  Jan 12, 2016; 4PM at Town Hall

Tom Slack, Vice Chair/Secretary