Approved 10/13/09
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
September 23, 2009, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Paul Cramer, Vice Chair, Heidi Gross, Secretary, Joan Gaughan,
Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Absent: Richard Bashian.
Guests: Kerry Sullivan, Irene and Bill Weimer, Pace Wilson, Wellesley Dog Organization, Jason Whittet, Advisory Committee Liaison to the NRC, Merrilyn Delano Marsh, Sculptor for the Wellesley House and Garden Club, Ms. Renee Curtain and Jennifer Luks, Wellesley House and Garden Club.
Public Voice
Ms. Kerry Sullivan, an abutter of Perrin Park, voiced concerns that there are on-going dog issues at Perrin Park, including noise from barking dogs, more than eight dogs off-leash at one time, and off-leash dogs that are out of control and interfering with park users. Ms. Sullivan stated that while the conditions of the field itself shows marked improvement and the DPW is doing a very good job in keeping the park in good condition, that she continues to see many dog owners not cleaning up after their pets and that some dog owners are coming to the Park as early
as 6 AM. She stated that at 2 PM yesterday, a dog came up and jumped on her and the dog owner called the dog, but the dog did not respond. She said that this is just one example of what happens on a daily basis with dogs out of control and not on leash during off-leash hours. She voiced concern that there is no enforcement of the regulations and the dog owners are allowed to self-police, which is not very effective. She requested that the NRC enforce their rules on a more regular basis. She said that Perrin Park is still, by default, the dog park for Wellesley, and that dog owners from neighboring communities that do not allow dogs on their playing fields and parks continue to come to Perrin. She said that she is troubled that the NRC is allowing the W. Dog Group to intimidate other users of the park and to control what goes on at Perrin Park. She questioned as to what is the actual priority of users at the park, and voiced concern that a recent exercise Boot
Camp decided not to have an 8:45 AM class, since it clashed with off-leash dogs. She stated that there is no good reason to allow more off-leash dog hours at Perrin Park, since there are many other alternative park locations in Town that the NRC should be encouraging dog owners to use. She felt that this is a Town-wide issue and that the leash law needs to be better enforced at Perrin and that dogs should be tested to determine if they are under the owner’s control.
Mr. Seaborn stated that he appreciated Ms. Sullivan’s feedback and that it is important that the NRC receives this type of feedback to determine how often these violations are occurring. Ms. Pace Wilson of the W. Dog Organization said that she is trying to make sure that dog owners are complying with all of the rules, but that she cannot be there at all times. She said that in her opinion, dog owners are trying to be good neighbors and are trying to work with others to share the park, including the Boot Camp, and she said that she recently sent an email to the
instructor of the Boot Camp, encouraging them to come back to Perrin Park and to share the park with the dog owners.
Ms. Irene Weimer, an abutter to Perrin Park, stated that while there have been some good results as a result of the limited hours for off-leash dogs, she stated that there are still many enforcement issues and that dogs continue to interfere with park users enjoyment of the Park. She stated that there continues to be negative impacts from the off-leash hours, including noise from the dogs. She stated that as a direct abutter to the park she and her family hear the dogs bark incessantly. She stated that the traffic on Perrin Park has a negative impact on the neighborhood and that the residents must absorb a heavy traffic flow of cars that come to the park during the off-leash hours, and that this an additional burden to this small street, given that they are already tolerating seasonal sports traffic. She stated
that she has seen considerable displacement of other park users due to off-leash dogs and their owners’ inability to control their dogs. She said that it is her understanding that one of the NRC’s objectives of the pilot off-leash program was to encourage dispersing dogs throughout the Town’s other parks and conservation lands, but that the W. Dog Group remains focused on increasing their time at Perrin Park while many other parks and open spaces remain under utilized. She stated that as long as there are off-leash hours at Perrin Park that dog owners will continue to come to the park and have a negative impact on the park and its users. She stated that if the NRC provides increased off-leash hours at Perrin, there will be no incentive for dog owners to go to other parks in Town and that the focus will continue to be on increasing dogs and the number of hours at Perrin. She stated that other areas in Town should be used by dog owners, but she questioned
the need for a fenced-in area for dogs, since if dogs are under voice control, they should come when called, and no fence should be needed. The solution, she stated, is to come up with a way to more easily distribute off-leash dogs throughout the Town. Ms. Weimer requested that the NRC keep their focus on the obstacles that prevent dogs and their owners from using other parks and conservation lands throughout the Town for off-leash activity so that Perrin does not need to absorb so much of the negative impact of the dog activity. She also requested that the NRC do something to address the dog noise issue and requested that the NRC include a regulation and signage to the effect of: “Please remove dogs from the park that are unable to control their barking.”
Bill Weimer stated that the uncontrollable barking, which begins as early as 6 AM is intolerable to the neighbors abutting the park, and that in the afternoon, there are still many dogs off-leash in the tot lot and he encouraged greater enforcement of the rules. Ms. Gaughan encouraged residents to call Animal Control Officer Sue Webb when there are problems and violations. Mr. Seaborn thanked all of the residents for attending tonight, and said the NRC’s pilot program will be evaluated on an on-going basis and he encouraged everyone to spread the word that violations need to be reported to Officer Webb and that the NRC will request that Ms. Webb increase monitoring of Perrin Park and that she increase testing to determine if dogs are under their owner’s voice control.
Meeting with House and Garden Club of Wellesley Re: Proposed Sculpture in Central Park
Ms. Renee Curtain from the Wellesley House and Garden Club introduced Merrilyn Delano Marsh who is the Sculptor for the Club’s statute proposed for Central Park. Ms. Marsh distributed a photo of a clay model of a girl holding a butterfly and a flower, which will be in bronze. She stated that the statute will be approximately 2-feet high and that the base will also be 2-feet high, so that the top of the girl’s head will be approximately 4-feet off of the ground. There was discussion regarding the base material, which will be rough granite, rather than a boulder. There was also some discussion regarding the location, and Ms. Curtain stated that she is meeting with the Town’s Landscape Planner, Ms. Cricket Vlass, to evaluate locations. Ms. Gross inquired if the bronze will be allowed
to naturally form a patina or if it will be kept as polished bronze. Ms. Marsh stated that due to the high level of maintenance that would be needed to continually polish the bronze that it will be allowed to develop a natural patina. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the design of the sculpture as presented and that the House and Garden Club will present the location for the NRC’s further approval at a subsequent meeting.
Review and Discussion of Open Space & Recreation Plan Chapter 8: Goals and Objectives
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the draft Chapter 8 that was previously distributed to all members and the NRC made small changes. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to approve the Open Space and Recreation Plan Chapter 8: Goals and Objectives.
Director’s Report
Update on Playing Fields Task Force Meeting and NRC Related Issues
Ms. Bowser stated that she attended the September 14, 2009 meeting of the Playing Fields Task Force. She outlined a number of issues that arose, including the fact the Perrin Field is proposed for redesign and an engineering study in FY11 that will be in the DPW Capital, subject to the NRC’s approval. Once the Perrin Field study is completed and the full cost is known, then the improvements to Perrin will be requested in the FY12 DPW Capital Budget and will include improved drainage and grading throughout Perrin Park. Ms. Bowser stated that she has been the only representative from the NRC at the past several meetings of the Playing Fields Task Force and that it would be productive for one of the NRC liaisons to the Task Force, Mr. Bashian or Mr. Cramer, to attend the meetings as well.
Update on Morses Pond Northern Basin Dredging Design and Permitting Project
Ms. Bowser stated that she and Mr. Seaborn have been involved in this project and that a final contractor has been chosen, which is APEX Corporation, and that this firm will complete the design and permitting for this project. The goal, once all permitting is completed, is to begin the dredging project within one year.
Update on High School Off-Site Parking Construction Project
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a memorandum from the High School Project Manager from SMMA outlining the seven corrections that need to be made at the State Street Parking Lot to bring it into compliance with the original plans. Ms. Bowser stated that she will be in contact with the PBC and if any additional information is needed, she will forward this to the NRC and keep them updated on the status of this project.
Update on Status of Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan
Ms. Bowser and Ms. Gross updated the NRC on the status of the Master Plan and stated that they continue to work closely with plan consultant Halvorson Design, and that it is anticipated that the plan will be finalized at the end of October and the cost estimate will be with the NRC’s FY11 Capital Budget. Ms. Bowser stated that as part of the NRC’s Emergency Sidewalk and Path Repair Capital Project for FY10, that a portion of the Fuller Brook Path between Brook Street and the Cold Spring Bridge behind the Hunnewell Elementary School will be re-surfaced because of its dangerous condition. This work will take place this fall or early spring.
Frederick Law Olmsted Lecture on September 29th Co-sponsored with Historical Commission
Ms. Bowser updated the NRC Members on the status of this upcoming lecture. She stated that she is preparing the publicity and PR and Ms. Gross has agreed to give a brief presentation at the lecture on Olmsted’s influence in Wellesley, as well as give a brief update on the NRC’s Fuller Brook Preservation Master Plan.
Update on Gift of a Softball Batting Cage at Lee Field
Mr. Cramer stated that he had volunteered to work with the High School Athletic Department on this project. He stated that he spoke with John Brown, Director of the Athletic Department who stated that the batting cage is completely temporary and it will be in the location proposed behind the JV baseball field only during the spring season. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to accept his gift and approve the location of a softball batting cage behind the JV baseball field and the cage will be temporary and will be moved once the season is over. It was requested that Ms. Bowser ask the Athletic Department to notify abutters before the cage goes up.
Inter-Board Budget Meeting on September 24th
Ms. Bowser reminded the NRC Members that this Thursday, September 24th at 7:30 PM, there will be an Inter-Board Budget Meeting and all members are encouraged to attend.
Update on Board of Selectmen’s Proposed Procedure for Moving Buildings
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a draft “Procedure for Moving Buildings” developed by the Board of Selectmen included a number of procedures involving the NRC with regard to identification of trees to be pruned, cut down, or otherwise impacted by a building move. After review of the draft procedure, the NRC felt that the procedure was adequate and they had no additional comments.
Liaison Report/Continuing Business/New Business
Update on Lower Falls Charles River Park Project
Mr. Seaborn updated the NRC on the status of this project and stated that he recently met with Board of Selectmen Chair Barbara Searle and Ms. Bowser to review a power point presentation on this project that the Board of Selectmen are taking a lead on. He is working with Ms. Searle on an application for funding the creation of this park as a CPA Project and he stated that he will keep the NRC updated on the status of this project.
Discussion RE: Participation in the International Day of Climate Action on October 24th
Mr. Seaborn stated that October 24th is being recognized as the International Day of Climate Action and that Bill McGibben’s group, 350.org., which recognizes the importance of reducing total carbon dioxide emissions to 350 ppm. He stated that he would like to have the NRC take the lead in sponsoring a Wellesley Climate Action Day on October 24th in observation of the need to increase public awareness on climate change and what residents can do to help prevent climate change. Mr. Seaborn said that he has discussed possible action with
Ms. Bowser and with Scott Bender from the Green Ribbon Study Committee and that they are working to further organize this Climate Action Day event. Mr. Seaborn stated that at the event they would like to give out free compact fluorescent bulbs, and he requested that the NRC approve up to $300 to buy100 CFL’s to be distributed to individuals to encourage them to incorporate energy conservation measures in their homes. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to approve up to $300 from the NRC Gift Account to purchase 100 CFL’s for the Wellesley Climate Action Day.
Review and Approval of the NRC Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2009
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to approve the September 8, 2009 Meeting Minutes.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meetings were scheduled for October 13 and October 27, 2009 at 7:30 PM in the NRC Office.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3 – 0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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