HomeMy WebLinkAboutOpen Space Comm. 10/28/2019REUIVED
i S Town of Mansfield OFFICE
Open Space and Recreation Committee Minutes 2020 FES 25 A 10: 05
October 28, 2019
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Present: Chair Diane Simms; Allen Bryer; Perry DiMascio; Sharon Friedman S H'`.ISETTS
Guests: Jonas Bruggemann and Kostas Loukos
1. Meeting Called to Order:
The meeting of the Town of Mansfield Open Space and Recreation Committee was called to
order at 7:00 pm by Chair Diane Simms.
2. Committee updates:
Mr. Bryer said he submitted a new letter to the Department of Recreation and will be following
up for their consideration at their November 19, 2019 meeting. Mr. Bryer said the turnout for
the October open house at the high school for masterplan was excellent.
Essex Street Community Garden: Ms. Gonyer said this was a great project but the Hocomock
Area YMCA does not have the management to continue the garden, but she said a Friends
Group could be established if there was enough community support for the garden. Mr. Bryer
said the garden could be an educational opportunity for all age groups; the goals and options
for the garden will be discussed at the December meeting. Mr. Bruddmann said he will check
with the Mansfield schools about educational programs.
Ms. Simms said she would like to do Saturday morning walks in the winter months. She said
there is a walk planned for November 9`h at 9:00 am at Corporal Hardy Conservation Area and
asked that the walk be posted on the town's Facebook page and the event page. She asked
that a summary table listing all the trail systems and the length of the trails be done.
3. Trail Work updates:
Ms. Simms said she has walked the trails in Corporal Hardy, Taylor's Hill, also known as Lesser
Great Woods, Sweet & Kalnins Conservation areas and the parking area at Great Woods. Ms.
Simms noted Ms. Gonyer has been working with Jay Beckett, DPW, and a lot of the issues have
been addressed but there are still safety concerns, mainly tree issues on all these areas. Ms.
Simms asked to meet with DPW and Ms. Gonyer for a time frame for addressing the safety
issues for each of the trail systems.
Management of kiosks: Ms. Simms said the kiosks on all the trails need to be updated because
information is inconsistent and missing. Mr. Bryer said there should be consistent signage with
updated information and the kiosks should all be a standard color.
4. Web site updates:
Ms. Gonyer said the basic framework for the web site has been done by Jonas Bruddmann.
She said the 2019 guide to trails brochures, pictures, and the OSRC 2019-2020 goals can be
added to the web site.
Ms. Simms said the Committee should evaluate opportunities for educational outreach
projects for 2020 and suggested one item per quarter. Ms. Friedman said, because this is
new, the Committee should focus on one item at a time. Mansfield Green was chosen.
5. Review of foreclosed parcels for potential acquisition:
Ms. Gonyer, Town Manager Kevin Dumas and Shaun Burke, Planning Director, have
reviewed the list of town -owned parcels that will either be sold at auction or given to
Conservation for open space. Mr. DiMascio said one of the criteria to become conservation
land as open space would be for water access, potential trails or abutting Natural Resources
Trust land for public use. Ms. Simms suggested a sub -committee to discuss what to do with
these parcels.
6. Previous minutes:
Motion made by Mr. DiMascio to accept the minutes of September 19, 2019; seconded by
Mr. Bryer. Motion passed 3-0-1 (Ms. Friedman abstained).
7. Adjourn:
Motion to adjourn the OSRC at 8:30 pm was made by Mr. Bryer and seconded by Ms.
Friedman. Motion passed 4-0.
Next meeting will be December 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm in meeting room 3A/B.
Chair
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