Minutes
Open Space Committee
March 8, 2016, 4 PM
Those Present: Nancy Rea, Chair, Tom Slack, Bob Jackson, Lynn Southey, Liz McDonald, Bruce Hurter
Guest: Denny O’Connell, WCT, Brian Carlson, ATA
Agenda approved
Minutes of Jan 12, 2016 meeting: Approved with corrections
Reports
Chair, Nancy Rea: Annual report of OSC activities for 2015 submitted to town.
Vice Chair: Tom Slack: Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay sponsored “Cape Cod Natural History Conference” held on 3/5/2016. A number of presentations were relevant to Wellfleet Harbor including discussion of mass stranding of marine animals, assessing risks of dredging to diamondback terrapins, monitoring of shark activity in Wellfleet Bay, and spade foot toads and wetland restoration
Standing Assignments
Property Management: No new issues
Dog Leash Regulations: no new issues
Trail Guides: Some assembly and new cover development will be needed as the season gets busier.
Liaison Reports
WCT: Denny O’Connell: WCT and Mass Audubon exploring options of a Town owned property (Map 40 #184) on Lt. Island for possible diamond back terrapin habitat preservation that may be beneficial mitigation for the harbor dredging plans. So far this has just been an informal discussion between Denny and Bob Prescott, Dir. WBMA.
“Tales and Trails” program for 1st to 4th graders will restart at Walker on April 4. Heidi Clemmons directs the program, which will have subsequent activities at Boundbrook Island in May and at Indian Neck in June.
Friends of Herring River: Lynn Southey
High Toss Road has been in the news with public meetings and BOS meetings on how the road, specifically from Snake Creek Road to Griffin's Island will be addressed in the restoration planning.
At the February 23rd BOS meeting, one concept was singled out from previous public hearings was presented at the request of the Board of Selectmen: to have a marsh level crossing the entire length of the floodplain and a timber bridge structure over the main channel of the Herring River at High Toss. The BOS reviewed this and heard comments. It was agreed to defer a decision for a few weeks. Options range from removal of this section of High Toss Road to allowing access for pedestrian, bike and equestrian recreational use.
On February 29th a petitioned article was submitted for town meeting “to ensure continued access to Griffin Island over the town road known as High Toss Bridge Rd.... to be open to pedestrian, equine, bicycle and light vehicle and not impeded by tides”. It is hoped that this article will circulate to committees such as Open Space for their votes appear on the warrant.
For comments or questions contact the Friends at info@friendsofherringriver.org
The 7th Annual Herring Count kicks off with a meeting at the Library, Wednesday March 30 2016, 10.30 to noon. John Sheppard of the state division of Marine Fisheries will discuss a state wide overview of the 2015 and earlier results. This program not only supports the Herring River restoration but is part of a statewide effort to rebuild river herring populations.
All are welcome whether you plan to be a counter or just have an interest in the river and fisheries in Massachusetts.
A series of weekly seminars will be held at the Library on Tuesdays in April at 6:30 pm. This is a repeat of talks presented late last year plus a new seminar on horseshoe crabs:
April 5: "Art and History: A look at the Herring River" Beth Chapman, FHR board member
April 12: "What's wrong with the river" Dr. John Portnoy, FHR Board Member and Shellfish Constable Andy Koch
April 19: "The Critter Talk - What lived, lives and will live in the river" Dr. Barbara Brennessel, FHR board member and Dr. Ethan Estey, Herring River Warden
April 26: "Horseshoe crabs on Cape Cod: Crawling Toward Functional Extinction?" by Mark Faherty, Science Coordinator, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Next meeting: Friday March 11th at 8:00am at the FHR Office.
OSC 5 year Plan: Brian Carlson was pleased to report that the report been conditionally approved by the State. Some comments need to be addressed before final approval. These include a map of the Town as it would appear if all our recommendations are implemented, and list of each of the Town owned properties that are accessible or not as defined by the ADA
New Business
A Petition for an Article to be inserted in the next Annual Town Meeting Warrant is discussed in the FRH report above. (Article not numbered yet).
A motion to approve the article was proposed. “To instruct the Board of Selectmen to ensure continued access to Griffin Island over the Town road known as High Toss Bridge Rd. Such access shall continue to be open to pedestrian, equine, bicycle and light vehicle and not embedded upon by barriers or tides.” The motion failed on a vote of 0-6.
Properties for Consideration
No new activity. Committee members will explore potential new properties with expectation that CPC funds may be potentially available.
Next Meeting: April 12, 2016
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Slack, Secr., OSC