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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOpen Space & Rec CommTown of a Mansfield 6 Park Rai, Rlnn feld, tllnrracluerenr 02048 Open 3j ace AecTeation Committee Open Space and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Date: June 15, 2026 5pm -6pm ra r, Location: Building Department Conference Room r Attending: Sally Fehervari, Rebecca Foster, Jeff Paten t �> Katelyn Merrill Gonyer, Conservation & Environmental Planner Tree Bylaw Discussion: Ms. Gonyer provided an update on efforts to pursue technical assistance through the Southeastern New England Program (SNEP) Network to assist the Town of Mansfield with drafting a Tree Bylaw. She explained that the application for assistance is due on July 15, 2026, and that she has a meeting scheduled with one of the program consultants on June 17, 2026, to discuss the opportunity in greater detail. Ms. Gonyer emphasized the importance of ensuring that any new regulations adopted by the Town are practical and enforceable. She noted that discussions with Town management and staff would be necessary to evaluate enforcement responsibilities and determine whether a proposed bylaw would be feasible to administer. Ms. Foster expressed concerns regarding the potentiat financial burden a Tree Bylaw could place on property owners if the regulations were overly restrictive or costly to comply with. In response, Ms. Gonyer stated that the Town has flexibility in determining the scope and level of regulation within a bylaw and could begin with a less restrictive framework that may be amended over time as the Town gains experience implementing it. She noted that these discussions are preliminary and intended to identify and address concerns before any draft bylaw is presented to the Conservation Commission for consideration. Mr. Paten shared a diagram he created by researching other Town Tree Bylaws. The diagram should the amount of tree that should be replaced depending on the size and mass of the trees removed. Ms. Gonyer encouraged the group to research other Tree Bylaws and we can start to discuss a Bylaw that will best fit Mansfield. Ms. Gonyer will provide an update on the SNEP technical assistance application and consultant discussions at the next meeting. Open Space and Recreation Plan Update: Ms. Gonyer announced that the Town had received a conditional approval letter for the Mansfield Open Space and Recreation Plan from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation Services. The letter, issued by Melissa Cryan, Grant Program Supervisor, states that the Plan has been conditionally approved through May 2036. Ms. Gonyer explained that white ten outstanding items remain to be addressed before final approval, the Plan has been accepted by the State. As a result, the Town is now eligible to apply for grants that require an approved Open Space and Recreation Plan. Ms. Gonyer informed the Committee that she would work with the Town's consultant to address the remaining items and finalize the Plan. Depending on available budget left, Town staff may determine it is abetter financial decision to finalize the draft in house opposed to using more funds to complete this ongoing draft plan. Discussion followed regarding whether additional consultant services and funding would be necessary to complete the work. Ms. Gonyer stated that she would coordinate with the consultant and the Town Manager to determine the most appropriate path forward and would provide an update at a future meeting. Department Updates Ms. Gonyer reported that the Conservation Department remains extremely busy during the construction season. She noted that it may be beneficial to limit Open Space and Recreation Committee (OSRC) meetings during the peak construction months of Maythrough August to allow staff sufficient time to focus on departmental priorities and Committee initiatives. Committee Membership Terms Ms. Gonyer informed the Committee that several member appointments are scheduled to expire at the end of 2026. She explained that the Committee's current appointments are for one- year terms, a structure established when the Committee was first created in 2018. Ms. Gonyer stated that she intends to request that the Select Board amend the appointment structure to establish staggered three-year terms for Committee members. She noted that Longer terms would provide greater continuity, preserve institutional knowledge, and reduce the need for annual reappointments of volunteer members. Future Goals and Priorities- Discussion with other Boards The Committee discussed reviewing the goals and recommendations identified in the Open Space and Recreation Plan. Members expressed interest in coordinating with the Planning Board and Recreation Committee to identify shared priorities and determine which goals should be pursued first. The Committee agreed that these discussions would be appropriate to begin in ea rly fall. Summer Schedule The Committee agreed to hold its next meeting on September 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. V ZI1.v e: Date: Town of Mansfield 6 Park Ro;p, Alan feld,, Maraehnretlr 02048 Open Space & Reavation Committee Open Space and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Date: 4/13/26 5pm -6pm Location: Building Department Conference Room Attending: Sharon Friedman, Sally Fehervari, Rebecca Foster, Jeff Paten Katelyn Merrill Gonyer, Conservation & Environmental Planner Review Open Space & Recreation Plan Draft: Ms. Gonyer apologized for having to cancel the March 23rd meeting due to a broken shoulder and reported that she is recovering well. She noted that throughout February and March, she had been working with Lauren Lunetta at SRPEDD to finalize the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP), incorporating comments received from the Committee as welt as feedback submitted during the public comment period. Two public comments were received regarding the change in the condition rating of Memorial Park from "excellent" to "fair:' Ms. Gonyer noted that this rating had been reviewed with Sherri Gurnon, Parks & Recreation Director. The OSRC discussed and recommended several revisions to the presentation and layout of the goals and objectives in the introductory portion of the Plan. Members noted that a substantial amount of narrative was repetitive and recommended streamlining the goats presented at the beginning of the document, as they are further described in Section 8 of the Plan. Ms. Gonyer reported that the preliminary draft OSRP was submitted to Melissa Cryan at the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services (DCS) on March 10, 2026. Additional revisions to the Plan may be necessary following DCS review and receipt of the State's comments. Department Updates Ms. Gonyer discussed upcoming Articles 19 and 20 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, which propose transferring several Town -owned properties acquired through tax title taking to the care and control of the Conservation Commission. She explained that these transfers would help increase and permanently protect open space and natural lands within Mansfield. Ms. Gonyer also reviewed several Town -owned properties being considered for potential auction, particularly those containing or located adjacent to wetland resources. She noted that she has taken a cautious approach when recommending the sale of undeveloped Town -owned parcels, even where development may be possible, in order to consider opportunities for preserving open space and protecting sensitive environmental resources. Tree Bylaw - Ms. Gonyer presented the DCR Guide to Local Tree Bylaws (Massachusetts) — Summary Overview, alongwith discussion notes and examples from surrounding communities illustrating the varying levels of tree protection and restrictions that municipalities may adopt through a local Tree Bylaw. The Committee discussed the potential development of a Tree Bylaw in Mansfield to provide greater protection for the Town's tree canopy and establish standards for tree removal and replacement. Members discussed reviewing bylaws from other Massachusetts communities to better understand different regulatory approaches, thresholds, and enforcement mechanisms. The Committee agreed to continue researching potential options and consider an approach that would provide meaningful tree protection while remaining practical and enforceable given existing staffing and enforcement demands within the Conservation Department. Ms. Friedman commented that this would be a good time to share this discussion with the Planning Board as they were working on the scenic tree Bylaw. Ms. Friedman also commented that the Town needs to better plan street as the Town had selected one species of"bottle brush" ornamental trees along the downtown area that do not provide any shade at all. Ms. Friedman suggested putting together a list of certified street trees for the Town's future reference. The Committee will continue to review a potential Tree Bylaw as Ms. Gonyer works with Town Management to ensure the Town has the resources to enforce this type of Bylaw. Discussion with other Boards The Committee discussed reviewing the goals and recommendations identified in the Open Space and Recreation Plan. Members expressed interest in coordinating with the Planning Board and Recreation Committee to identify shared priorities and determine which goals should be pursued first. The Committee agreed that these discussions would be appropriate to begin in early fall. Summer Schedule The Committee agreed to hold its next meeting on May 18, at 5:00 p.m. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. L" a me: Date: