HomeMy WebLinkAboutCanoe River Comm 01/08/1998CANOE RIVER AQUIFER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
` Minutes of the meeting held by the Canoe River Aquifer Advisoittee on January
8, 1998 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Easton Water Department t7- ad, South
Easton, MA.
Members present: Wayne P. Southworth, Easton; Leonard F. Flynn, Mansfield; Tim
Higgins, Foxborough; Suzanne Erikson, Norton; Susan Mims, Norton; Willliam Hardin,
Easton; Fred Watson, Norton; Robert Jones, Mansfield; Dave Masciarelli, Sharon. Also
present was Dick Lewis, Mansfield.
I. CALL TO ORDER - Meeting called to order at 1:03 P.M. by Wayne Southworth.
II. REVIEW MINUTES of December 4, 1997 'i - On a motion made by Bob Jones and seconded
by Dave Masciarelli VOTED to accept the minutes of December 4, 1997 as corrected. (Page 3 - US
Dartmouth'- should be `UMASS Dartmouth'; I under Awareness Day location should read
`Norton/Easton town line').
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT SEMINAR - APRIL 2, 1998 -;Cynthia Wood - Ms. Wood,
DEM Service Forester for Norfolk County, reported that the evening of April 2, 1998 is better for
the speaker, David Welsch; topic to be `Riparian Forest Buffers';hours would be 7-9 PM; target
audience is the general public and landowners, land trusts.
Mr. Southworth noted the first suggestion was to hold same at the Norton Library (Mr. Watson to
confirm date and time); this is the same day as the regular meeting of the CRAAC - suggestion was
made to hold the CRAAC meeting just before this seminar (Committee members agreed to meet at
6:30 PM); notices should be sent out in March; refreshments would be nice; suggestion was made
to invite the science teachers from each of the schools within the Canoe River Aquifer ACEC (each
member to supply a contact name for the science department in their town).
IV. ANNUAL REPORT - REVIEW Mr. Southworth noted that a draft was sent to everyone;
any comments received were added; report was then sent out to each town for their annual reports.
V. C.R.A.A.C. ANNUAL AWARENESS DAY - MAY 16, 1998 (9 AM to 12 NOON), Red Mill
Road, Easton - Mr. Southworth noted that Cynthia Wood is going to be available that day to be a
leader on the forest walk. Ms. Wood added that Joe Perry, DEM Service Forester for Bristol
County will be present also; the walk could be for 30 or 45 minutes. Mr. Southworth mentioned
that some maintenance work will have to be done along the trails.
VI. GREEN BELT PROJECT UPDATE - LEONARD FLYNN - Mr. Flynn: members were
asked to make contact with their respective congressmen; Barney Frank's office called at the end of
December to say the 97-06-104B Grant for GIS Green Belt Project would be approved; shortly after
that we received the contracts; contracts have gone to the Town Accountant.
Leslie O'Shea, Environmental Engineer for DEP Taunton River Basin Team, noted there were a
couple of items in the subcontract that needs to be revised; this will be done after January 13th
(personnel is on vacation); once the contract is signed, equipment will be ordered; do believe the
interns are set up for the project.
With regards to the Green Belt project, Mr. Southworth informed the committee that he received a
call from the Mansfield Water Department concerning a proposed subdivision to be constructed
along the edge of the river. Plan is for a seventeen lot cluster subdivision whose open space abuts
the river. Lengthy discussion ensued. Highlights: area is essentially an old gravel pit that has been
stripped; open space is 10.3 acres along the Canoe River; should the CRAAC submit a letter;
proposal is next to the Cate Spring well.
Mr. Hardin moved and Mr. Jones seconded to have the committee review the plan and send a letter
to the Mansfield Planning & Zoning Board voicing our concerns over this proposed development.
VOTED
VII. OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Flynn stated he has talked with John Flynn of the Massachusetts Highways Department and has
sent him the Sole Source documents and the ACEC maps; J. Flynn is convinced everyone at MASS
Highway the land along Route 495 should be returned; referred to copies of letters from our
congressional representative supporting our request to return the lands along Route 495; letters are
needed from Sharon's representatives. Mr. Flynn also noted that he has been invited to attend a
land trust conference; would like to take a set of the CRAAC maps.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
Storm Management Seminar - Tim Higgins: have set a tentative date of February 12, 1998; Ms.
O'Shea noted we do not have a confirmed speaker as yet; suggestion was made for a fall meeting;
Ms. O'Shea stated that if this meeting does not work out, DEP could plan a workshop in this area.
Joan Kimball sent a thank you note for the Shore Line Survey Report.
MBTA - Town of Easton: great concern has been expressed over the MBTA's proposal through the
Town of Easton; read a letter to the CRAAC asking for their support. Lengthy discussion ensued.
Mr. Higgins motioned seconded by Mr. Flynn to take no action of this request. VOTED (Mr.
William Hardin abstained)
Questionnaire from Wheaton College regarding interns was filled out by Wayne Southworth.
Mail was handed out for review.
June 28, 1998 there will be a Recreation Day at Borderland State Park which is sponsored by the
Sharon/Easton Recreation Committees from 12 Noon - 6 PM. The CRAAC will have a -display.
Next meeting will be Thursday, February 5, 1998 in Sharon.
Meeting adjourned at 2:40 PM.