Approved 3/10/09
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
January 27, 2009, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Joan Gaughan, Chair, Richard Bashian, Vice Chair, Neal Seaborn, Heidi Gross, Paul Cramer (attending by conference call), Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Public Voice
No one spoke at Public Voice.
Discussion: RE: Dog Use/ Control Issues at Perrin Park in Preparation for Public Hearing
The NRC reviewed and discussed the agenda and preparations for the Perrin Park Dog Control Public Hearing scheduled for February 7, 2009 at 9 AM at the Town Hall. Mr. Seaborn stated that he is working with the GIS Office to develop a map outlining “walkable” open space, as well as a chart outlining open space in Town. Mr. Bashian summarized his work with a group of W. Dog members, and neighbors of Perrin Park.
Directors Report
Review Use of Parkland Application for Linx Enrichment Club for Kids
Ms. Bowser stated that the vice president of this children’s day care center, filed an application for using parkland during the summer months when the Linx Club runs summer sessions from June 29 – August 28th. The application notes that in order to give children an outdoor component to their summer experience with the Linx Summer Camp, they are looking to secure some field space this summer. The application noted that during the summer the Linx Club serves ages 4 –16, and that they hope to use open space around the Town Hall area for nature walks, hikes, nature discussions and projects, yoga, theater, team building games and parachute games. In addition, they are looking for an informal field space to have soccer, kickball and other sports games. The application noted that
they would work with the Town to rotate field usage and to ensure that one area does not get worn out and that they would only use one area for active games for about 45 minutes a day. The application noted that they would like to use the fields from Monday- Friday from 9 to 1 PM, but that they are flexible depending upon the needs and policy of the Town. Ms. Bowser reviewed with the Commission the NRC Policy regarding to the community use of park and conservation land, and noted that one of the policies is to weigh the public benefits of the proposed use of land against the additional exposure to the Town of liability, as well as to ensure the maximum feasible use of public space that is compatible with the Town’s considerable investment in landscaping, trees, flowers, and shrubs, as well as deny any uses that would interfere with the normal use of the area. After further discussion, it was the sense of the NRC that Ms. Bowser should meet with a representative of
the Linx Enrichment Club to clarify their needs, but that the application will need to confirm that there will not be an intensive use of any parkland and that there will not be any interference with the normal and customary use of the area. Ms. Bowser stated that she will keep the NRC updated on the status of this application.
Review and Discussion of Proposal from Hartney Greymont to Care for the Town’s Station Oak Tree
Ms. Bowser stated that Mr. Kent Warren, the General Forman for the DPW’s Park and Tree Division, submitted a letter from the Hartney Greymont Company, which is a tree and landscape specialist firm. Mr. Warren indicated that the Station Oak in Wellesley Square is the Town’s oldest heritage tree, and it is suffering from several environmental problems, including drought, extreme cold, and soil compaction. A Hartney Greymont representative indicated that in order to protect the tree and ensure a longer life span the Town needs to improve the vigor of the tree and remove as many of the stressors as possible, and they recommended that the soil and root zone of the tree be improved through aeration with a spade tool to lessen compaction and soil amendments be added under the whole canopy of the tree, and such
amendments would include plant based compost and aged compost and double ground woodchip mulch and possibly limestone for the soil Ph. They indicated that these improvements will lessen the stressors on the tree, which is leaving it more susceptible to other pathogens, including leaf and twig fungal infections. Hartney Greymont also recommended that maintaining adequate moisture around the root zone of the tree is of utmost importance, and they indicated that a program of monitoring and deep drip irrigation should be used for effectively apply watering at regular intervals. Hartney Greymont said that they are willing to adopt this tree and pay for all care and follow though on all of these recommendations as well as any others that may arise, and only request that they be allowed to post a tasteful sign with information about the tree’s condition and care and would also include the company’s logo and contact information. The NRC reviewed a
preliminary sketch of the proposed sign, which would be approximately 24” x 30” and made of painted wood and vinyl lettering and would read as follows: “Tree Preservation Zone. Please help us save Wellesley’s historic Station Oak Tree and protect its delicate root system. Another community donation by Hartney Greymont, expert arborist since 1938. To learn more about tree care, contact Hartney Greymont.” The sign would also include contact information for the company.
The NRC discussed this request and concluded that it would be in the best interest of saving this tree to allow Hartney Greymont to adopt the tree and to pay for all services to better protect the health of the tree. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the maintenance and care program to be administered and paid for by Hartney Greymont for the Station Oak Tree and to allow them to post the 24” x 30” sign outlining the need to protect the tree and acknowledging Hartney Greymont’s efforts.
Update on NRC/ Morses Pond FY10 Operating Budget Presentation to Advisory on January 21st
Ms. Bowser stated that she, Ms. Gaughan, and Mr. Seaborn made this presentation to Advisory and that the feedback was positive. Mr. Seaborn made a brief power point presentation outlining the Morses Pond Project and its progress to date.
Review and Discussion Re: Request from Wellesley Conservation Council for “Walks In Wellesley” Book Funding
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a request from the Wellesley Conservation Council for financial assistance for the revision of their book on Wellesley's open space for their publication “Walks In Wellesley.” The request indicated that the Council applied for a grant from the Community Preservation Committee, and the request was turned down on the basis that the request did not comply with the CPA criteria. It was noted that the Council relies wholly on private gifts and the income taken in from the sale of these books, and they feel that the book serves a very important service in helping o educate residents about open space in the Town. It was noted that the revision will include the Town’s trails in detail, as well as information on the Council’s conservation land. In their
request, the Council noted that they have been diligent in finding local editors, writers, and artists, and they feel that they have arrived at a very conservative cost figure and any help from the NRC towards this project would be appreciated. The NRC concluded that unfortunately, due to budget restraints and level funding for the NRC budget, they are unable to make a contribution at this time for the Council’s publication. After discussion, the NRC concluded that should their financial situation change, they would reconsider the Council’s request. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to unfortunately decline the Wellesley Conservation Council’s request for financial assistance for a revision for their publication, “Walks In Wellesley,” and that should the NRC’s financial situation improve they will revisit this request.
Update on High School Project Interim Parking Project Plans and Schedule
Ms. Bowser updated the NRC on the status of the High School Project Interim Parking Project and noted that the applications for 3 interim parking areas at State Street, the High School tennis courts, and the High School basketball courts were submitted to the Wetlands Protection Committee and a public hearing will be held on January 29th. Ms. Bowser will keep the NRC updated on the status of these projects as they move through the permitting process, and she noted that the project will need to come for a final review and approval by the NRC once all required permits are received, since the Hunnewell Field Complex is under the NRC’s jurisdiction.
Update on Perrin Park Neighborhood Playground Improvement Plan
Ms. Bowser stated that she has been contacted by a number of Perrin Park neighbors who would like to begin planning improvements and upgrades to the existing tot lot at Perrin Park. Ms. Bowser stated that the playground was last installed and improved about 13 years ago and that the neighborhood would like to do some fundraising and work with the NRC on this project. Ms. Bowser will keep the NRC updated on the status of this project.
Update on the Morses Pond FY10 Capital Reductions
Ms. Bowser noted that the Advisory Committee recommended that the NRC reduce the Morses Pond FY10 Capital Budget to $50,000, and after consulting with the NRC’s Pond Manager, Dr. Ken Wagner, and the Morses Pond Management Committee, Ms. Bowser stated that the FY10 Capital Budget has been revised to include the following: $20,000 for Watershed Education Program; $29,000 for Stormwater Management Plan Development Improvements, including $20,000 for Design, Permitting, and Other Support, and $9,000 for actual construction; and $1,000 for Manual Harvesting/ Bethnic Barriers Monitoring, for a total FY10 Capital Budget of $50,000.
Liaison Reports/Continued Business/New Business
Update on Lower Falls/DCR Bridge Preservation Project
Mr. Seaborn stated that he received confirmation from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Partnership Matching Fund Program that the Town’s Lower Falls/DCR Bridge Preservation Project Phase I Application was approved by the DCR on January 26th and that a formal notification package will be in the mail shortly providing guidance regarding a start date, the DCR Program Manager with whom the NRC will work, and details on the application agreement. Mr. Seaborn stated that he has notified all parties involved in the project, on both the Wellesley and Newton side, and thanked everyone for their efforts in getting the project underway. The NRC expressed their appreciation to Mr. Seaborn for his extensive work on the project. Mr. Seaborn stated that he will keep the NRC apprised of the status
of this project. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to reconfirm its prior vote to apply $3,000 from the NRC’s Gift Fund to the Lower Falls/DCR Bridge Restoration Project. Mr. Seaborn noted that the Trails Committee has committed $5,000 toward the project, and that the Newton Conservators have committed $4,000, which will be matched by $24,000 from the DCR’s Partnership Matching Fund Program.
Update on Town Gift Acceptance Bylaw Committee
Ms. Gross updated the NRC on the status of the Town Gift Acceptance Bylaw Committee’s work. The NRC voiced some concern about the amount of control the Bylaw gives to the Selectmen in reviewing and approving gifts to the NRC. Ms. Gross stated that she will continue to work with the Committee and the NRC will need to formally vote on the Bylaw before it can move forward to Town Meeting.
Update on Dog Dispensers and Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags
Ms. Gaughan stated that she is investigating purchasing biodegradable dog waste bags for use in dispensers on NRC land.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC Meeting was scheduled for February 7, 2009, which will be the NRC’s Perrin Park Dog Control Hearing at 9 AM at the Town Hall. The next regularly scheduled NRC Meeting is February 10, 2009 in the NRC Office.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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