Approved 10/27/09
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
October 13, 2009, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Neal Seaborn, Chair, Heidi Gross, Secretary, Joan Gaughan, Richard Bashian,
Janet Hartke Bowser, NRC Director.
Absent: Paul Cramer, Vice Chair.
Guests: Jan Kaseta, Recreation Department Director, Kerry Sullivan, Irene Weimer, Wendy Haering Engels, Pace Wilson, W. Dog Group, Howard Hayman, W. Dog Group, Deborah Ellinger, W. Dog Group, Pam McCormick.
Public Voice
Ms. Deborah Ellinger voiced concern that she has not been able to take her dog off-leash at Centennial Reservation since the fields are overgrown. The NRC indicated that not all of the meadows are mowed on a regular basis throughout the year, since they are mowed on a cyclical basis in accordance with the NRC’s Centennial Reservation Management Plan. The NRC noted that all trails are mowed on a regular basis. Ms. Kerry Sullivan inquired as to how many other open spaces in Town are available to take dogs off-leash at any time. Mr. Seaborn replied that the majority of Town open spaces are open to off-leash dogs at all times and that he developed an outline of all the Town’s open spaces and that there is approximately 728 acres of land available for dog walkers, so there
shouldn’t be a problem in finding land to walk a dog. Mr. David Stone from Parker Road stated that there are 3 things regarding off-leash dogs at Perrin Park that he would like to mention to the NRC:
1. He hopes that the NRC will continue to utilize Sue Webb to address complaints at the park;
2. He questioned why only 8 dogs are allowed off-leash; and
3. He requested that the NRC consult the almanac when setting off-leash hours, since currently the evening off-leash hours are very short at since they now start at 7:30 PM and it is often getting dark by that time.
Mr. Seaborn responded that because the youth sports organizations have indicated that they may use the playing fields up until 7:30 PM in the fall that there was no other choice but to start the off-leash hours at 7:30 PM.
Discussion RE: Park User Issues at Perrin Park
Mr. Seaborn stated that he would like to provide some background information to set the context for this discussion. He stated that there has been some speculation that an existing Boot Camp at Perrin Park may conflict with off-leash dog hours. He said that this is only a speculation and that there is no rational at this point for restricting other user groups at Perrin Park during off-leash hours. Mr. Seaborn reviewed
with the NRC the current Playing Fields User Policy, which was amended in 2008 and approved by the NRC. Mr. Seaborn stated that, in his opinion, the policy clearly states that the Recreation Department schedules the use of playing fields and issues permits for camps, such as the Boot Camp. Mr. Seaborn stated that the policy specifically states that any board with jurisdiction over a playing field can evaluate the field for potential overuse and has not given up its authority or jurisdiction under the policy to decide if a field is being overused and to take any needed action. Mr. Seaborn also reviewed with the NRC its approval of a document entitled “Regulations Governing Use of Public Parkland and Facilities for Private Gain.” Mr. Seaborn stated that it is the NRC’s role to monitor the
use of the Town’s parks and playing fields under its jurisdiction to ensure that there is not overuse, but the long-standing process is to have the Recreation Department issue all permits for fields. Mr. Bashian questioned if the Playing Fields User Policy actually applies to Perrin, since, in his opinion, it is not an active playing field, and is rather a multi-use field. Ms. Kaseta stated that this is a direct contrast to the current understanding, which is that Perrin is an active playing field and that permits for its playing field use are issued by the Recreation Department. Mr. Seaborn stated that since there is no problem with any use of the field at this point, it is not in the NRC’s purview to speculate on potential issues or use. Ms. Kaseta stated that Perrin is considered an active playing field, and if Mr. Bashian wants it be considered in another way, he would need to have that addressed by the Playing Fields Task Force. Mr.
Seaborn stated that in his opinion Perrin is an active playing field and that no changes in current policy or permits need to be further addressed. Mr. Seaborn stated that the NRC needs to be sensitive to all users at Perrin Park and he requested that Ms. Kaseta run any additional non Playing Fields Task Force uses by the NRC for review. Ms. Sullivan asked if it wasn’t the purpose of the NRC’s Pilot Program to encourage use of the park by other users in addition to the off-leash dog uses.
Ms. Gross stated that she is concerned that on a regular basis a bag of dog waste has been deposited in her driveway and that she has not contacted the police at this point, but that she will do so if this continues in the future. She stated that she simply wants to spread the word that if anyone knows who is doing this, please tell them to stop this practice.
Review and Approval of Space & Recreation Plan Chapter 9: Five Year Action Plan
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the draft Five Year Action Plan, which is Chapter 9 of the Open Space and Recreation Plan, that was previously distributed to all members. Mr. Seaborn and Ms. Gross submitted their comments and Ms. Bowser requested that all other NRC Members carefully review the Five Year Action Plan and submit any comments or changes to her as soon as possible, and no later than Tuesday, October 20, 2009. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the Five Year Action Plan, Chapter 9 of the Open Space and Recreation Plan, pending any additional NRC comments or revisions.
Review and Approval of Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan FY11 Budget Request and Executive Summary
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the Draft Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan FY11 Budget Request and Executive Summary. There was some discussion regarding the appearance and material to be used for the 8-foot-wide path that will be made of porous pavement in most areas, except for the areas that are environmentally sensitive. There was some discussion regarding the proposed color of the porous pavement, and Ms. Gross indicated that this is a design detail to be further down the road, since much else needs to be completed. Ms. Bowser pulled up on the web 12 additional color samples for porous pavement, which can be discussed when the project is funded and further defined. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master Plan and all
elements as outlined in the Executive Summary and in the Draft FY11 Budget Request.
Review and Approval of NRC’s FY11 and Five-Year Capital Budget Request
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC, the NRC’s proposed FY11 Capital Budget Request totaling approximately $2,520,000 of which approximately $2,400,000 is for the Fuller Brook Park Preservation Master that will also be submitted for CPA funding. The total Five-Year Capital Budget Request from the NRC totals $3,425,000. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the NRC FY11 and its Five-Year Capital Plan as presented and pending any further revisions.
Review and Approval of Morses Pond FY11 and Five-Year Capital Budget Request
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC, the Morses Pond Five-Year Capital Budget Request that she drafted in consultation with the NRC’s Pond Manager Dr. Ken Wagner. The FY11 Total is $111,000 and includes Watershed Education, Stormwater Management Improvements/ Low Impact Development Program, Localized Plant Control and Selective Planting. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 4-0 to approve the FY11 and Five-Year Capital Budget for the Morses Pond Program pending any further revisions from the Morses Pond Management Committee.
Directors Report
Update on St. James Property Land Use Alternatives Study
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the Request for Proposals for the property at 900 Worcester Street known as the St. James Church Property. The NRC voiced concern that in the Section 1.2 of the Request for Proposal that the Overbrook Reservation, which is under the NRC’s jurisdiction as conservation land, is incorrectly identified as “Underutilized Town Parkland.” The NRC voiced concern that in fact, this is conservation land that is not meant for active park-like use and that it should have been correctly characterized as conservation land. The NRC also voiced concern that the St. James Property is not correctly identified as to its wetland resources and that the RFP downplays the fact that half of this property is floodplain and that over 40 percent is in a wetlands protection resource
area. Ms. Bowser will convey this information and the NRC’s concerns to the Planning Board and she will keep the NRC updated on the status of this project.
Update on High School Parking Construction Project on Hunnewell Field
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a letter received today from the Permanent Building Committee Chair Mike Eby outlining the PBC’s response to the NRC’s request for off-site corrections at the State Street Parking Lot as well as near the basketball court parking area. The PBC agreed to have their contractor make all of the corrections that were requested by the NRC.
Update on Inter-Board Budget Meeting on September 24th
Ms. Bowser stated that she and NRC Chairman Mr. Seaborn attended the Inter-Board Budget Meeting on September 24th and that guidelines were submitted by the Advisory Committee allowing for a 1% increase in Town operating budgets. Ms. Bowser stated that last year the NRC had a 0% guideline, as did all other non-school boards, so that meeting that 1% guideline should not be a problem for the NRC.
Update on Wellesley’s International Day of Climate Action on October 24th
Ms. Bowser stated that she and Mr. Seaborn are working to organize this event that will focus on educating residents about climate protection and simple energy conservation measures that they can make at home. Ms. Bowser stated that she and Mr. Seaborn are working with Scott Bender from the Green Ribbon Study
Committee who will co-sponsor the event. Ms. Bowser stated that she is organizing the publicity for this event as well as identifying other stakeholders to be involved in the Action Day. Ms. Bowser stated that hopefully a network of organizations interested in climate protection will evolve from this event and the NRC can further develop its Green Wellesley Campaign with these other organizations.
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 the Wetlands Notice of Intent for the bridge work and the temporary path on the Wellesley side will be submitted shortly and that approximately $60,000 will be needed for the temporary path and design work for the proposed park, which will be part of a CPA application that the Board of Selection are taking a lead on, since the land is under their jurisdiction. Mr. Seaborn is working closely with Board of Selectmen Chair Barbara Searle on this project and they expect a CPA filing to be developed within the next month.
Review and Approval of the NRC Meeting Minutes of September 23, 2009
After a motion was made and seconded, the September 23, 2009 Meeting Minutes were approved as written.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for October 27, 2009 at 7:30 PM 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 11:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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