Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts

Ms. Catherine Bueker of Berkeley Road stated that she is a professor of sociology at Emanuel College, and she is interested in working with the NRC to address the social issues related to the Perrin Park Dog Control Problem. She stated that she attended the NRC Meeting on December 16, originally as an abutter of Perrin Park, but then she became very interested from a professional point of view in studying and providing feedback to the NRC regarding the social aspects related to the Perrin Park Dog Control Problem. She stated that there are many facets to the problem and that many people in her neighborhood are interested in working with the NRC to develop a resolution to the situation, and she felt that her background could be of assistance. The NRC briefly discussed Ms. Bueker’s offer of assistance and encouraged her to participate and provide comments to the NRC with her observations.

Ms. Bowser stated that to accommodate all of the NRC Members’ schedules that a tentative Public Hearing has been set for Saturday, February 7 at 9 AM at Town Hall. The NRC reviewed a draft letter and an optional “Dog Control Survey” that will be mailed to all residents in Precinct A that includes approximately 1,300 residents. The NRC discussed the agenda and additional handouts and information that will be needed for the Public Hearing, including background information on the Town’s leash law, a map of dogs in Town, a map showing walkable open space in Town and a survey of other towns and their leash laws.

Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a request from the Advisory Committee to reduce the NRC’s FY10 Capital Budget to $50,000. The NRC reviewed with the NRC’s Advisory Committee Liaison Kathy Macdonald the rational for the reduction, and the NRC concluded that they will retain two items in their Capital Request: $30,000 for the Tree Planting Program; and $20,000 for Park Sidewalks and Paths Emergency Repairs. This retains the full amount for the Tree Planting Program and reduces the Park Sidewalks budget from $30,000 to $20,000. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to reduce the FY10 Capital Budget to $50,000 as requested by the Advisory Committee, to include $30,000 for the Tree Planting Program and $20,000 for Park Sidewalks and Path Emergency Repairs.

The NRC discussed with Ms. Macdonald, the Advisory Committee request to reduce the FY10 Morses Pond Capital Budget to $50,000. There was some discussion regarding the Morses Pond Plan elements and the reduction, and the NRC concluded that they will accept the Advisory Committee request to reduce the Capital Budget to $50,000, and that they will further discuss the specific reductions with the two other partner boards on this project, the Board of Public Works and the Recreation Commission, as well as with the Morses Pond Manager, Dr. Ken Wagner, to determine which elements of the program will be deferred and which will be funded in FY10.

Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC three projects sponsored by the Trails Committee for improvements on NRC Land. The first is a Boy Scout project for the installation of a new footbridge at Rockridge Pond, which will be placed further inland than the current bridge, which suffers from erosion and impact to the shoreline. In addition, a footbridge will be moved and raised in order to improve accessibility. After a motion was made and seconded and the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the Rockridge Pond Boy Scout Trail Improvement Project.

The NRC reviewed the Carisbrooke Reservation Bog Bridge Boy Scout Project, which proposes to install a new bog bridge over Cold Stream Brook off of White Oak Road. This will improve safety and accessibility to the Reservation. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5-0 to approve the proposed Boy Scout Bog Bridge Project in the Carisbrooke Reservation.

The next project involved relocating the present Cross-Town Trail as it moves through the Town Hall property adjacent to the Duck Pond. The NRC voiced some concern about the relocation of the trail as proposed and questioned why it veres off the established trail at the Aqueduct and the sidewalk through at Morton Park and brings the path over parkland that is quite wet. Ms. Gaughan stated that she will talk to the Trails Committee to get additional feedback and information on the proposed project.

Ms. Bowser stated that she met with representatives from the Charles River Watershed Association, including Trails Committee Member Diane Hall, who also serves on the Watershed Association Board, to discuss forming a Charles River Watershed regional collaborative effort to improve protection of the watershed.

Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a memorandum from the Trails Committee outlining that the Weston Forest and Trails Association has identified an old trail easement running from Scotch Pine Road in Weston to Peirce Hill in Wellesley. The Trails Committee will be working with the Weston Forest and Trails Association to consider to establishing this trail easement as a public trail, which runs approximately .2 miles and allows for a trail connection to Peirce Hill. The Trails Committee will need to put the public on notice and to conduct further legal research to ensure that the Trail Easement is current and has valid title.

Ms. Bowser stated that the High School Project Interim Parking Permitting process will soon be underway and that the NRC’s preliminary approval for the Interim Parking Plan is contingent upon the approval by the Wetlands Protection Committees.

Ms. Bowser stated that there was some confusion by the Zoning Board of Appeals that was incorrectly informed by the owner of this property that the NRC had approved the installation of a dock/boardwalk on NRC land adjacent to 978 Worcester Road. Apparently the ZBA made the construction of a boardwalk/dock a Condition of their Special Permit, and Ms. Bowser indicated that additional information would be required if the NRC was asked to approve such a project. Ms. Bowser will keep the NRC informed on the status of this project.

Ms. Bowser stated that she would attend this hearing with NRC Chair Ms. Gaughan and Mr. Seaborn. Mr. Seaborn will make a presentation with regard to the Morses Pond Project, in order to outline the Operating Budget being presented this year. Ms. Bowser stated that both the Morses Pond Budget as well as the NRC Operating Budget have met Advisory Guidelines.

Mr. Seaborn stated that he and Ms. Gaughan will be attending the CPC Hearing in Newton as well as the CPC Meeting scheduled for January 20^th in Wellesley. Mr. Seaborn stated that the NRC has still not heard back from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) regarding its grant application for this project.

Ms. Gross stated that she continues to attend these Committee meetings, the goal of which is to develop a Town-Wide Gift Acceptance Policy that provides guidance to the Town’s elected boards, but allows them flexibility to implement their own Gift Acceptance Policy. Ms. Gross stated that she is working with Ms. Bowser to review and edit a proposed policy, which will be subject to the NRC’s review and approval prior to Town Meeting in March of 2009.