Minutes
Open Space Committee
January 12, 2016
Present: Nancy Rea, Chair, Bob Jackson, Lynn Southey, Liz McDonald, Nancy Golden,
Guests: Denny O'Connell, WCT; Brian Carlson, Asst. Town Administrator
Agenda approved.
Minutes of December 8 meeting approved.
Reports:
Chair: Nancy Rea. Nancy submitted the Annual Report to the town on time and it's now on file. The report is mostly an update of the previous one however highlighting the Drummer Cove link lot achievement.
Nancy had previously presented three town properties, Map 29, lots 489 and 493 and Map 15, lot 164, to the BOS recommending them for Conservation Committee protection. While the Town Administrator has started the process of committee reviews prior to a town meeting request, it was felt that the Open Space Committee should vote. OSC voted unanimously to recommend putting these three properties into protection.
Standing Assignments
Property Management: Bob Jackson: things are being very well managed.
Dog Leash regulations: some further discussion about the large red sign Bob had noted in the Paine Hollow area as to its effectiveness.
Trail Guides: Lynn and Bob continue to stock the library. Denny noted that a loop has been added to the Clover trail. The guide will need some edits before it is reprinted. A guide for the Drummer Cove trail will be needed next.
Children's Trail Activities: Bob held a working group meeting (Bob, Nancy G, Liz and Lynn) to brainstorm and has further summarized a list of recommendations to be reviewed at his meeting with the PTA co chairs. There is much enthusiasm for this project.
Liaison Reports
WCT: in Bruce's absence Denny reported that WCT closed on the Drummer Cove Link Lot on December 31, 2015. WCT received all the state and private grants applied for and received a very supportive response to fundraising efforts. Next WCT will go to ConsCom to request that they hold the state-required conservation restriction.
There has been some tree cutting on WCT land that is being dealt with.
A work day is being scheduled for the spring and once again a Walk in Wellfleet will be planned for September.
On Saturday, January 30th the Compact is hosting the Southeastern land Trusts Convocation in Bourne from 8:15 to 12:30 on land management and conservation. All are welcome. RSVPs are needed.
Friends of the Herring River: Lynn Southey Meeting January 12, 2016: This year FHR looks forward to the completion of environmental designs, project ready designs, and the start of permitting. A long term funding plan focused on potential grant programs and funding partners is being developed by Chris, the Executive Director.
Separately from the restoration project funding, a fish passage funding plan is needed to resolve problems with the Upper Herring River culverts which are both narrow and deteriorating.
Karin LaRocque has been hired as Administrative Assistant. The FHR office will now be open Monday to Friday from 9 to 1.
The Herring count begins April 1st. The kick off meeting will be held from 10 to 12 at the library on March 30th. More volunteers are needed.
The FHR’s seminar series will be repeated at the library starting April 5th. Bob Prescott may add a talk on horseshoe crabs in Wellfleet harbor. The Cultural Council has awarded a grant to FHR for a book on the history of the Herring River. This is well underway. Mark Adams is developing a 3D estuary model with place names for the general public.
Next meeting: March 11, 2016 at 8:00 am at the Friends of Herring River Office.
CPC: Bob Jackson Bob reported that $56,000 has been allocated for Open Space Debt Service. The entire amount will be covered by the 10% required minimum for land preservation.
All requests were funded in full pending town meeting approval:
Cape Cod Village $100,000
Wellfleet Affordable Housing Technical Assistance $50,000.00
Adams Lodge $190,000
Pond Hill School $80,000
Restoration & Renovation of Wellfleet Historical Society and Museum $300,000
It was noted that Bob Jones materials for Cape Cod Village were particularly strong because they dealt with financial sustainability and contribution to the community. It was suggested that the other applicants be prepared to talk on these aspects of their projects if challenged at town meeting.
Old Business:
Open Space Plan: Brian Carlson has submitted the draft of the Open Space Plan to the state for review. Melissa Cryan has this. Next we should expect a conditional letter of approval which may include a list of considerations. Changes can still be made to this draft, for instance to the maps. At this point we can apply for grants. Denny noted that land grants must be in by June 30th.
Next meeting: March 1st 2016?
Lynn Southey for Tom Slack, Vice Chair/Secretary