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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Minutes 3/29/1993TOWN OF MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 50 West Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 1_!' ,I -' F; J: .: 1 -r , i, ` I I.J i MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1993 7:00 CALL TO ORDER 7:15 WETLANDS PROTECTION ACTT HEARING CONTINUATION - SE211 -415 Walmarf. Corp.- -Lots 235 -236, (68, 67)- -Two dwellings, driveways, grading within Hallett Crossing II 7:301 DISCUSSION OF ISSUES PERTAINING TO LAND USEIACQUISITION, RULES AND REGULATIONS IN CONSERVATION LANDS MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1993 -- PAGE 1 Members Present: Chairman Cauldwell, Commissioners Cormier, Forbes, Powers, Sadowski WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT HEARING - SE211 -418 Walmark Carp. - -Lots 235 -236, (68, 67 )- -Two dwellings, driveways, grading within Hallett Crossing II Ellen Peoples, Dunn/McKenzie, represented the applicant. Mr. Ed Marcheselli was also present. Dick has spoken to Gary Makuch about DEP's review of the site and has learned that no written documentation of the visit will be forthcoming. However, the applicant is proposing to treat the area in question as the commission views it, and will restore the area to wetlands vegetation. An infiltration trench will be moved away from wetlands - the applicant agreed to supply a revised plan before the orders are issued. MOTION: To close the hearing. (Sadowski - Cormier; all in favor) VOTED EComm. Forbes arrived.] MAPLE PARK AREA: -- National Lumber has debris piled up against fence bordering conservation property; Dick was asked to send a letter to them requesting that it be removed. - -The commission requested that a letter be sent to the Highway Dept. asking that the "shack" constructed in the woods be removed. DISCUSSION OF GREAT WOODS LAND USE7ACOUISITION Mr. Lenny Flynn and Lou Andrews were present to provide background and review progress /discussion that has taken place to date regarding acquisition of conservation land in the Great Woods. A recent meeting with officials resulted in the state's agreeing to support a joint application (with Norton) for Self -Help funds; the project will be eligible for up to 877 funding. The towns will be responsible for the additional 13 percent. The state considers the project regionally significant. The representative from the Trustees of Reservations are more comfortable seeing the acquisition without the LegoLand7road complications. Natural Resources Trust has submitted four TM articles for acquisition by eminent domain of four parcels (which according to their legal advice will offer the best way to get clear title to the parcels). In particular, acquisition of parcel 14 -2 will give the town control over access to the area. Some of the parcels are owner unknown, with no taxes ever having been paid. The "Owner unknown" classification must be established by a "due diligent search." Mansfield NRT has volunteered to pay for and initiate that search. No one has been living in or working in the Great Woods since shortly after the Civil War; most of the land is "low value" and has never been surveyed. over 507 of the Great Woods is classified as wetlands. The deeds overlap, and make it difficult to establish title. The search must be publicized. An additional consideration is the eighty -eight acres declared excess by the Mass. Highway Dept., which years ago promised to return the parcel to the town. Mr. Flynn has talked to Sen. Keating's office MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1993 -- PAGE 2 and is trying to set up a meeting with officials who can influence this process. This land ties critical portions together. There is no intention to acquire industrial /commercial land along 149. Dick 'reviewed the Self -Help grant p'rog'ram, a reimbursement program which is run by the Department of Conservation Services. There hasn't been a grant cycle for 5 or E years. Mansfield on its own would be eligible for 72% reimbursement, but in a joint application with Norton could receive.as much as 87%. A vote must be taken either at a fall town meeting or at next spring's annual meeting. The amount of this grant round will not be known until Jan. '94 at the earliest. However, much work must be done before that time:+ the value of properties must be ascertained, titles verified, etc. [Comm. Smith arrived.] Mr. Flynn - reported that the Trust for Public Lands has committed to negotiating with owners to take options on land in anticipation of town meeting votes and Self -Help funds. Almost all parcels NRT has bought already were gained with Self -Help funds, so that the state has already committed to the project in smaller sections. Comm. Powers asked what restrictions exist regarding uses under a Self -Help grant or any under other sources being considered. She asked, for example, whether camping on a very limited basis would be permissible. The land must be used for conservation and passive recreation purposes; the state would want a land management plan including signage, trail markings, parking spaces, etc. Gov. Weld has indicated that he is not inclined to commit the state or communities to long -term budget layouts for high maintenance usage. Mr. Flynn would like to see restriction placed on motorized vehicles. He will check into restrictions on structures for educational purposes. Comm. Sadowski commented that accumulating such a large land area would allow a wildlife corridor as well, and sees great educational potential -. Resident Virginia Dellamy commented that before Route 495 went through, schoolchildren were guided through woods. Comm. Powers urged the commission to walk the areas in question for benefit of new commissioners. Resident Colin Cauldwell asked about whether the proposed foot bridge over highway is a dead issue. Mr. Flynn answered that the original 495 EIS included a pedestrian bridge, and all possible pressure should be brought to bear on the Mass. Highway Dept.; including letters to Mr. Kerasiotis, with copies to Sen. Keating and Rep. Hyland as representatives of the people who sacrificed that land for the highway. Resident Mr. Karl Clemmey raised the issue that there are currently junk cars at Taylor's Hill and stated that he doesn't want to see Conservation, Commission take on any more land until they have a plan to maintain it. He indicated he doesn't approve of the Self -Help program because it has restrictions. He urged that ownership be shared with the recreation dept., and he also doesn't see how hunting can be permitted in such close proximity to people. Resident Kate Viens asked how committed the Commission /NRT is to these four parcels and whether land beyond that belt area has been considered, perhaps parcels that are industrial /commercial and easily accessible. Lou Andrews responded that these four parcels are being MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1993 -- PAGE 3 sought because they are available; in fact they are acquiring around the edges first. He also raised the expense factor of industrial land as a consideration. Selectman Ralph Penney asked whether Baybanks has a role in any of the negotiations. Mr. Flynn answered that the Trust Dept. and Badge Blackett are negotiating. Those four parcels are on the top of his list (about 95 acres in Mansfield'). Mr.. Penney asked how long reimbursement would take through the Self -Help program. Dick answered that it goes through without much delay. Mr. Penney also asked who will pull the entire joint effort together. Mr. Flynn answered that the land acquisition committee will function as a subcommittee under direct control of Conservation Commission, as NRT has always done in the past. All meetings have included representatives of the Conservation Commission as well as of NRT, though NRT has spearheaded the effort. Joint meetings could be held with the Norton Conservation Commission if needed. Mr. Flynn stated that that the Natural Resources Trust group needs all the help it can get; membership is open to everyone for $5.00. Selectmen will be kept apprised of progress through correspondence. Mr. Flynn also volunteered to come to a selectmen's meeting. Selectmen Pasquale and Penney urged the commission to emphasize that public participation is welcomed, and reiterated the importance of winning public support. Dick Lewis also mentioned that letters of support for the project would be critical to the Self -Help application process. A vote should probably be taken by Mansfield and Norton boards /committees to enter into a joint application process. Resident Kate Viens asked whether anyone at the town or state level has investigated other sources of funding. Mr. Flynn responded that NRT has tried to involve all the large national and state conservation Organizations to contribute money. Trust for Public Land is putting up money. Resident Christine Butler asked for a list of organizations who have been contacted; Mr. Flynn has such a list. A site walk will be scheduled during a drier time of year. Resident Barbara Bayon commented that such walks have tremendous potential for elevating public awareness. She emphasized that from a public relations point of view it seems critical to ascertain and explain any restrictions resulting from Self -Help funding. Also from a public relations point of view, she felt it important to distinguish between this effort and the initial acquisition proposal which was tied to Lego development. There remains in people's minds the question of the 500 acres that the Drew Company is seeking a tenant for. Mr. Flynn commented that since the LEGG decision was made, the John Drew Co. hasn't been involved in the meetings. He reminded everyone that individual landowners can sell to anyone; NRT is in competition with other- potential buyers. Selectmen Pasquale invited NRT and Conservation Commission members to a 4 -21 -93 meeting with selectmen to talk about the warrant articles and self -help restrictions. The meeting adjourned at 9:34. Ipf