Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Minutes 9/21/1992MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1992 -- PAGE I Members Present: Chairman Cauldwell, Commissioners Forbes, Powers, O'Neill, Owens, Poholek, Smith NRT /GREAT WOODS LAND ACQUISITION Lou Andrews and Leonard Flynn gave a brief history of the NRT's involvement with the -Great Woods. In the early 74s, Natural Resources Trust investigated land pure pg &e1i the Great Woods, and the acquisition program has continued U00(t1 e onservation Commission acquired its latest parcel in 1991).' Maps were reviewed with a view to the history of the acquisition program, which has been carried out in cooperation with the Mansfield Conservation Commission. When Route 495 was constructed, the state and NRT negotiated, and a parcel of excess land was to be turned back. to the town. A series of meetings has taken place with representatives of landowners, state officials, town officials, and members of NRT in Mansfield and Easton, the Morton Land Preservation Society, Trustees of Reservations, Trust for Public Lands. The most recent meeting took place at the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, with Tom McShane; Undersecretary of Environmental Affairs. The concept map as drawn up by the state and Drew Co. was presented and reviewed. The plan included areas which could be acquired as part of an effort to preserve a large area of Great Woods; it also showed a limited- access roadway which terminate at the proposed LegoWorld. Tom McShane conveyed his sense .of the state Environmental Affairs position. Consensus seemed to be (as reported by Mr. Flynn) that the Great Woods is a significant regional conservation proge�y,,,4,,, that the state is willing to commit resources to, to acquire 217 acres,'and 370 acres in Mansfield. The private organizations present offered whatever assistance they can provide (technical and legal). NRT very impressed by their offers of help. State may coordinate efforts of all the principals in regard to this program.- State would rather have local commissions and NRT hold the lands than the state. State would like to see the land used for wildlife, wetland preservation, passive recreation. A letter (copy sent to Conservation Commission) was sent -to the state officials stating position of NRT after that meeting. State interested in Greenways Project - for example, around Norton Reservoir. (Comm. Poholek arrived.] The state advocates public /private partnership. Before endorsement of building road through Great Woods, NRT wants written agreements in place from the principals. Trustees of Reservations was approached with regard to their interest in purchasing the area; but the area lacked sufficient unique characteristics required by their purchasing criteria. They are trying to set up a land trust alliance. Easton and Mansfield NRT and Norton Land Preservation Society all shared opinion that this area is a significant resource area. Dick. Lewis noted that to the extent that any purchases will be through Self -Help monies, the town must have two professional appraisals done. Seven private owners who will be impacted by the plan as currently conceived. Appraisals will not cost money -Mr. Flynn is exploring alternative funding sources for the appraisals, and stated, "We feel comfortable that the appraisals and acquisitions - the vast majority of it i MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES . , MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1992 -- RAGE 2 92 OCT 15 �[] S- G -will r £'eld.or Norton money; I Wouldn't want to go any further ttiar at e emphasized that the plan as currently conceived is a long- term project, that it fits in with the overall open space plan approved by the commission, and that it is dependent upon the private landowners being paid fair- market prices for their land. Details will not be handled by local NRT, but they will be apprised of the situation. Lou Andrews Suggested that it would be helpful to NRT's position of acquiring Great Woods property to have the support of town boards and committees. NRT needs backing and support of the.land acgquisition goals _ suggested by the conceftl plan shown; commissioners and NRT officials agreed 10 that these goals are consistent with the,current Open Space plan for ' Mansfield, as well as being consistent with NRT's 20 -year commitment to acquisition and conservation of Great Woods land. Comm. O'Neill expressed concerns about how the private land will be acquired. "Mr. Flynn repeated that land transfers will be negotiated at market value, and because private owners are concerned, nothing can be guaranteed. However, NRT would like to support /pursue such negotiations, with the knowledge that the goals of the NRT and the Conservation Commission are united with regard to the acquisition of Great Woods property. rp#' in Commissioners agreed that the concept-plan is^ consistent with the Open .Space Plan, although it was noted that as a regulatory body, the Conservation Commission must be cautious in its statements; however, the consensus was that the plan is a concept worth supporting. Mr. Clemmey, 750 South Main St., registered his approval of the concept. He also pointed out that many of the private owners are writing Lego and telling them their land is for sale. He noted he would prefer passive recreation, with no motorized vehicles or hunting allowed. Dick will draft a letter to appropriate parties, for next Monday, for the commission to review. The subject will be placed on the agenda for next week's meeting, at 7:45. OTHER.DUSINESS: Dick passed out the Minutes from last week's meeting, as well as a plan for next week's rda. The Board of Health request a rep. from Conservation Commission to attend a meeting re East St. sewer issues, on Thurs. night. Chairman Cauldwell will attend. The meeting adjourned at 9:00.