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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCanoe River Comm Annual Report 19981998 Annual Report of the CANOE RIVER AQUIFER ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee (C.R.A.A.C.) held 11 meetings on the first Thursday of each month with the exception of July. These meetings alternated among the five towns on the Canoe River — Easton, Mansfield, Norton, Foxborough, and Sharon. Taunton River Basin Team Members Jack Hamm, Patrick Rogers, and Leslie O'Shea attended several of our meetings. Chairman Southworth gave a presentation on the C.R.A.A.C. to the Annual Meeting of the Norton Historical Society and Norton Land Preservation Society. There was an overflow audience at the Old School House for his talk and slide presentation. The Committee reviewed and commented on a plan for a proposed 17 -lot subdivision along the Canoe River in Mansfield near their Cate Spring Municipal Well.: _-D Several letters of concern were sent by the Committee to State and Federal authorities regarding a farming and pig operation along Rte. #495 within the Canoe River Aquifer in Norton. The Committee's main project for 1998 has been the development of a Green Belt along the Canoe River. The Committee applied for and received a grant from the Mass. i' D.E.P. in the amount of $38,500 to develop a map and database of all the parcels of land within a 500 foot corridor along both sides of the Canoe River. The Committee subcontracted with the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth to develop the GIS Maps for this project. Professor Neil Fennessy and his students gave an excellent presentation to the Committee on their work. Tim Higgins designed a brochure to be distributed to all of the property owners along the River and oversaw the printing of 10,000 copies. CRAAC co-sponsored a Stormwater Management Seminar with the Department of Environmental Protection on March 25, 1998 at the Norton Library. Sixty people from various organizations attended, including many local engineering firms and local town officials. On the evening of April 2, 1998, the Committee sponsored a seminar on Riparian Forest Buffers given by U.S. Forester Dave Welsch at the Norton Library, on the value of streamside forests and their role in water supply protection. There were over 50 people present and all left better informed. The l la` Annual Canoe River Awareness Day was held on Saturday, May 16, 1998 at 8:30 a.m. to noon on Red Mill Rd. at the Norton/Easton town line. The guest speaker was Cynthia Wood, Mass. State Forester who gave a walk and discussion on Riparian Forests, which was followed by a canoe trip. Leonard Flynn spent a great deal of time communicating with the State Department of Public Works on the transfer of 180 acres of land in Norton from the State back to the Town of Norton. This was originally taken as a part of the laying out of Interstate 495. It abuts the Canoe River and the Town wishes it to be returned to the Conservation Commission. Suzanne Erikson worked on the possible acquisition of Johnson acres (57 acres on North Washington Street) by the Norton Conservation Commission. This important parcel abuts the river and would make an ideal acquisition as a part of the proposed greenbelt. Chairman Wayne Southworth toured the Canoe River with two photographers, courtesy of the Hood Blimp with arrangements by Ed Tartufo. Excellent photos and video were taken and are available for public viewing. Dorothy Freeman of Norton addressed the Committee of the need of establishing a land bank in Norton. Kathy Romero from the State Department of Environmental Protection gave a presentation to the Committee on the new Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP). She is expected to return in the future to discuss this important new program. The Committee would like to thank Maurice Goulet of the Easton D.P.W., Dick Lewis of Mansfield Conservation Commission, and Cynthia Wood, State Forester for all of the assistance they have given our Committee throughout the year. Norton Susan Mims Frederick Watson Suzanne Erikson Easton Philip Barske William Hardin Wayne P. Southworth Present Membership ,Foxboroueh Timothy Higgins Robert W. Boette Joan F. Sozio Sharon Gregory Meister Patrick Dorcus Dave Masciarelli Mansfie Edward Tartufo Leonard F. Flynn Robert K. Jones 1999 Meeting Dates Thursday January 7 Sharon Town Hall Thursday February 4 Foxboro Town Hall Thursday March 4 Norton Public Library Thursday April 1 Mansfield Town Hall Thursday May 6 Easton Water Dept. Thursday June 3 Sharon Town Hall Thursday August 5 Foxboro Town Hall Thursday September 2 Norton Public Library Thursday October 7 Mansfield Town Hall Thursday November 4 Easton Water Dept. Thursday December 2 Sharon Town Hall CANOE RIVER AQUIFER ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minufe5of'the meelirj held by the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee on December 3, 1998 beginning. at 1:00 P.M. at the Easton Water Department, 417 Bay Road, South Easton; MA M �n.�bers present: Wayne P. Southworth, Easton; Susan Mims, Norton; William Hardin,- MZon; Dick Lewis, Mansfield; Robert K. Jones, Mansfield; Dave Masciarelli, Sharon; Bob Boette, Foxboro; Suzanne Erickson — Norton; Maurice Goulet, guest; Dorothy Freeman, guest; Fred Watson — Norton; Timothy Higgins — Foxborough; Carlos Fragata, Norton Conservation Director - guest. I. CALL TO ORDER - Meeting called to order at 1:00 P.M. by Wayne Southworth. H. REVIEW MINUTES - November 5, 1998 - On a motion made by William Hardin and seconded by Timothy Higgins, it was VOTED to accept the minutes of November 5, 1998. HI. DOROTHY FREEMAN — NORTON LAND BANK - Ms. Freeman explained how she became interested in the land bank as set up in the 1980's and is known today as the Community Preservation Act; gave an overview of the recent changes to the Community Preservation Act; working in Norton to established a land bank; here today to see if we can work together as a region. A general discussion ensued. Mr. Southworth explained that the CRAAC is working on a program to preserve'a greenbelt along the Canoe River. The plan is, after the first of the year, to take the maps and go to each town and discuss the need to preserve this land. It was suggest that Ms. Freeman contact Leonard Flynn. Perhaps her concerns could be dovetailed in. IV. SUZANNE ERICKSON — JOHNSON ACRES UPDATE - Suzanne Erickson noted that Carlos Fragata has brought this matter up to the Norton Conservation Commission. Mr. Fragata noted that the price has increased; purchase is still not definitive; there are more than one owners; but we are moving forward rather than backwards. V. UPDATE ON GREENBELT PROJECT - Maurice Goulet noted that since the last meeting, the project is much further along; it is about 1/3 of the way done; there are some pieces of information missing; have a meeting to find out exactly what more is needed. Mr. Southworth noted that Tim Higgins delivered the finished brochure "The Canoe River Greenbelt"; as soon as the map is competed, the project will be started; the intent is to get this brochure mailed or in the hands of all of the property owners abutting the entire length of the Canoe River. VI. REVIEW CANOE RIVER VIDEO OF HOOD BLIMP TOUR - Mr. Southworth showed a portion of the unedited video taken on 09-02-98 which began at Anne's Place in Norton. A copy of the tape was given to each community. 14"' EXTO -2- December 3, 1998 VII. LEONARD FLYNN — PROPOSED CARE AND CONTROL AGREEMENT FOR 180 ACRES ALONG NORTON RTE. 495 - Same to be held until Mr. Flynn can be present. VII[. Annual Report - Suzan Mims and Wayne Southworth prepared this year's report and mailed copies to each of the Towns. XIX — GREGORY MEIZTER — REGIONAL WATER CONSERVATION - This item is in response to a letter regarding outside watering. As the author is not present, it was agreed to put same on the next agenda. CORRESPONDENCE - reviewed. X. OLD BUSINESS XI. NEW BUSINESS It was noted that the next meeting is to be in the Town of Sharon. Meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM.