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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOpen Space Comm. 10/29/2018Oven Space and Recreation Committee Minutes October 29` , 2018 Present: Colin Cauldwell (Chairperson), Aaron Roth (Co -Chairperson), Perry DiMascio, Katelyn Gonyer, Chris McCluskie, Sharon Friedman, Christopher George, RE C E I V E U TOWN CLERKS OFFICE Guests: Diane Simms, 2014 MAY - 1 A 8* 53 The meeting of the Town of Mansfield Open Space and Recreation Committee was by Colin Cauldwell at 7:00pm. 29", 2018 Mr. Cauldwell provides an update on trail maintenance and the clearing progress update. Last meeting it was discussed to hire a per diem trail clearer. Ms. Gonyer states she found two individual emails with different recommendations. Ken Taylor was the first person to get back to Ms. Gonyer and Mr. Cauldwell summarizes the email. Mr. Taylor recommends flagging trees that need to come down and he recommends leaving down trees to rot where they are and any cleaned trees be used as firewood by local residents. Mr. Cauldwell states the trees across the paths are the highest priority. Ms. Gonyer says $3000 could easily be spent on just one trail and it would be best to focus on a parcel like Great Woods. She recommends walking the trail to tie off the logs and flag them off this week. Dr. Roth inquires if anyone has been there since the last storm. Mr. Cauldwell says he hasn't since the last walkthrough. Ms. Gonyer says she will walk it this week. Chris McCluskie asks what the liability is of someone going in to clean out the downed logs themselves. Mr. Cauldwell says there is no liability, since its public land and no admission is charged. Ms. Gonyer says there is a greater discussion to liability regulations at the next meeting. Mr. Cauldwell says it sounds like a good conversation at Town Council. Dr. Roth says as long as common sense standards and reasonable precautions are followed there shouldn't be any liability concerns. Ms. Gonyer says that's why any imminent dangers should be cleared first. Diane Simms asks if there needs to be a public notice to let people know about the availability of wood for Town citizens to procure. Ms. Gonyer says that wood needs to be measured depending on the ecosystem and not all down wood is allotted for being removed. Ms. Gonyer says she needs to verify conflict of interest pertaining to that question. Mr. Cauldwell says there used to be certain Town lands that were designated for public forest, for harvesting of wood, and very few people take advantage of it. Ms. Gonyer says it should be posted for those particular areas but there should be a balance of who we openly invite. She mentions she'll be redoing the website section for Open Land and Recreation and will address this and hunting information. *Motion to accept proposal, with Great Woods being a priority, from Ken Taylor made by Dr. Roth, 2nd by Mr. McCluskie, Vote 4-0 PASSED -..=^-�`, -. ��paJ$ �.fiitti�i.� „ fir.,. "' �:sz,..,"` �<. �� ,.^.Z-.. Lr''�' .�"^."ti �,.�'.,,�,',.-,`.`�"�k �,�..5.-'"="✓,Par ���� �y-�.'x,...�i'.=.,v'�-," m"-�a �Tlw _. �.P-.-.�.,,s7s.-..r✓U..'�s�`?''a;„.r:.-�.-,a'�r..:..��-,'�.';'aa ,,, ,r...-.h.�^P��-�P.�-.. �, Mr. Cauldwell explains the history of the trespass issues and the complications of handling the situations. Mr. McCluskie asks if there is a fine associated with these trespass issues. Ms. Gonyer explains it depends on the deed of the land and that particular situation. If it constitutes as trespassing, the Town would be allowed to rectify the situation through removal of a shed etc. The group discusses the different trouble areas around the Town and how they've been working to improve them, since the committee was implemented. Mr. Cauldwell says there are 3 trespasses known. One of which is a shed built on access to Canoe River Green Space off of where street. The trail is memorialized and labeled properly. Mr. McCluskie asks if it's blocking access to the area. Mr. Cauldwell said it's not. Ms. Gonyer displays the map of the area; River's Edge off of Ware St. There is a residential shed in a Town parcel gap between two properties. Mr. Cauldwell says they need to visually verify the shed before moving forward. Ms. Gonyer agrees that it should be verified. Mr. DiMascio asks if any bounds were set. Ms. Gonyer asks if it would be noted on the plot plan for the subdivision. Mr. DiMascio asks what the distance is to reach the Green Space. Ms. Gonyer estimates the distance back into the Green Space is 167 ft. Mr. Cauldwell explains the next is off of Elm Street. They view the Town Land of Otis St. Rear. Mr. Cauldwell has seen it via a photo before. He says it appears the owner is mowing land that is Town property. Ms. Gonyer says if it's a maintained agricultural field; there isn't a large issue with it and it should be acknowledged. Mr. Cauldwell says it's actually wetlands area and should be preserved. Dr. Roth says it a good natural corridor and more land should be reclaimed for it. Mr. Cauldwell says it's not grasslands and should not be mowed. Dr. Roth mentions seeing mink and other wildlife in the area and they would benefit from the reclaimed land. Mr. Cauldwell says the third one is off Oakland Street; near Nation Lumber. He says they've paved a good portion of conservation land and have been using it as parking. They've also used conservation land for train access. Dr. Roth asks what the remedy is. Ms. Gonyer said whatever actions the committee would like to see performed; it should be recommended via due process. Ms. Gonyer says it's based on observation and is just a potential trespass issues. Mr. DiMascio recommends contacting the Town surveyor first to fully assess the potential violation. Ms. Gonyer says the next step is a motion to bring items to the Town's Conservation Commission; as this board is an advisory committee. Sharon Friedman arrives. *Motion to ascertain whether or not these three are violations by ascertaining boundaries made by Mr. DiMascio, 2"d by Dr. Roth Vote 4-0-1 PASSED Ms. Gonyer states that if she finds that these are actual, physical, trespassing issues (using data centric surveying) then the next step would allow her to submit a formal letter to the owner to invite them discuss the issues with the committee. Ms. Gonyer displays the 2 available signs. The plan is to provide a generic sign for conservation land trespassing. She opens the floor to discussion. Mr. Cauldwell states the Town seal and label of Entering Conservation Land is the most required aspect. Dr. Roth says these are not "No Trespassing" signs but rather "Trespassing allowed but here are the rules." Ms. Gonyer says there will be multiple locations for signs. She mentions she has been utilizing trail markers to bring attention to the signs. Dr. Roth says the color is good and it should have minimal verbiage. Mr. McCluskie asks about the wording of the hunting sign. Mr. Gonyer says the only area in the Town with hunting allowed is now the Great Woods; as density has increased too much within the Town. Mr. McCluskie asks if Orange is required to be worn with those areas. Mr. Cauldwell says at Great Woods there is signage telling people to always wear orange and to have their pets to wear orange. Ms. Gonyer would like to compress all three signs into one sign. The concern is if there is too much verbiage then no one will read the sign. Mr. McCluskie asked if pictures would work better. Ms. Gonyer said that the wordage is still required, by law, on the sign. Ms. Friedman offers wordage for the sign, "Entering conservation area, Town of Mansfield, a passive recreation are." She then mentions listing the "No" requirements. Ms. Simms mentions that many people may not know what passive recreation means and asks if a motorized wheelchair is considered a motorized vehicle. Ms. Gonyer says she will research it, but wording could be stated as "unauthorized." Mr. Cauldwell says the only time a trail needs the ADA compliant is when a public use building is available at the end of the trail. Ms. Gonyer reviews a project she had worked on in the past that was a new structure and it was required to be ADA certified. Ms. Friedman asked what about things like an electric bicycle. Ms. Gonyer says says that it would be considered recreational and it's not about the activity but rather the impact of the activity on the trails. If the bike has the same impact as a manual bike then it would be allowed. Impacts would need to be judged based on that recreational vehicle. Ms. Friedman considers it to be important to the ADA conversation; as someone may have a 3-wheeled vehicle to help have access to the trails. Dr. Roth says it will have to be based on the judgement of the enforcing officer. Dr. Roth offers the wording of "Protected Conservation" Mr. DiMascio offers, "Only foot traffic and authorized vehicles." Ms. Gonyer suggests adding "If there are any further questions to contact..." Dr. Roth recommends utilizing a QR Code for people to pull up the full regulations on their mobile devices. Ms. Gonyer agrees; as they can have it pull up a simple website. Size of the sign is discussed. Ms. Gonyer would like to have at least two different sizes. Ms. Gonyer would eventually like to add kiosks within trails to discuss habitats, biology information, and other factoids about that land. Ms. Simms recommends that when a trail is moving onto private land there is usually a sign informing people they are exiting conservation land. Ms. Gonyer says this is a great plan and should be addressed on a case by case basis. Ms. Gonyer says a controlled survey should be done on these larger parcels first; to better understand placement of these signs. She says implanting these standard changes will greatly benefit these lands for both the residents who utilize the land and local fauna. Ms. Friedman offers the verbiage of "Enjoy your conservation area. For: Wildlife Photography, etc. Then No: Hunting, etc." She mentions this is a great way to explain passive recreation without a lot of extra verbiage. Ms. Gonyer thinks that's a great way to do it; as it utilizes positive language. *Motion to recommend to the Conservation Commission the purchase 12 large signs and 12 small signs indicating appropriate use of the conservation areas made by Dr. Roth, 2"d by Ms. Friedman, Vote 5-0 PASSED U T2evl�wl�iscliss%,on�'o�t► Ede 11q�ron��9�p>t._ 1y�e?�c Rr�aj;ro l�r'�t;�����:: ��� Ms. Gonyer explains the meeting; she attended with Mr. Cauldwell. She mentions this was a full room of participants and this particular meeting was focused on Audubon. They are currently working with the town of Norton for a long term plan of Global Warming; i.e. draining etc. She mentioned building a fall program via the COA to provide one on one classes to senior citizens in Town. She's now looking to adopt the junior conservation leader programs. She hasn't been able to communicate with the schools yet. She'd like to partner with Audubon on the task. She mentions Mansfield received a lot of accolades at the meeting for the Town's efforts. She recommends the committee attend the next meeting and will inform the committee of when the next meeting will take place. �'UIt�It�V;�w�amp�e �az►� Aczjus�tion Langpa9�_ .�� r � ' ��� ,'� � -� . ,r. � x�; , �` ,t �- v-'� ,w ��f � ��' ,� ..f . Language of Land Acquisition Mr. Cauldwell says the language that needs to be accepted at Town meeting. Ms. Gonyer says there are a couple parcels in Town that were worded incorrectly when the deeds were drafted. She states there is no article 97 and thus there is no protection on the land. The committee would like to have that rectified. Ms. Gonyer says the charter of the conservation commission is to establish lands under conservation restrictions. Mr. Cauldwell explained the past issues with this acquisition language due to a garden not considered being passive recreation. Ms. Gonyer states there needs to be a draft conservation that is concise, direct, and "copy and paste -able" onto new land acquisition documents. She says she is currently working on this with the Town Council. Mr. Cauldwell says there are 7 or so properties that need to have their language changed. Mr. Cauldwell says he has provided language based on this topic and will provide the language again with a list of affected parcels. Potential Funding of Land Acquisition Ms. Gonyer explains it is a revolving trust; not a fund. She sat down with accessing and accounting to understand what funds are available or if they need to re -appropriated. Ms. Friedman asks what the original intention of these trusts is. Ms. Gonyer says she is trying to understand and it's estimated at $160,000. Mr. DiMascio mentions it could be used to 3 purchase land at foreclosure. Ms. Gonyer says she has been looking into that as it is the cheapest method of land acquisition for the Town. She says she has not started the research of the trusts. Mr. Cauldwell verifies there is about 4-5 trusts that need to be understood to utilize the funding from. Ms. Gonyer says there needs to be more administration due to large amount of land parcels availability. Ms. Friedman suggests finding an intern to perform this research. Ms. Gonyer agrees that would be extremely useful. Ms. Friedman offers her advice on how to obtain an intern from local schools. Ms. Gonyer will follow up by placing this on the agenda for the next meeting. Ms. Gonyer explains she had a conversation about Corporal Hardy with Mark Cook. Mr. Cook would like a winter to-do list to have a working list of tasks to perform during the winter months. Ms. Gonyer says this open ended list will be very helpful. Ms. Friedman mentioned the ability to remove poison ivy from within certain areas of Town. Ms. Gonyer says there are a lot of restrictions around herbicide for a municipality. It was determined that the pretreatments currently using were too wide spread. They are currently going through different avenues. Ms. Gonyer says there are some pretreatments available, to be done at the end of winter, that are viable options. .�_.w "_ ' Ms. Gonyer says there were a couple violations, on a residential level, with the best way to obtain compliance would be through education. She says if folks live near wetlands, then provide education at Town Hall to try and prevent further issues. She is working closely with Massachusetts Audubon to come to a solution. r, �.�„ r .-._ �, ..o-_ ... ....... �.F..�'.'_a>",�a�?`.:• fi=-�.a: ._......�.;,m.,r_> .��.�z v. ,.,-�i., `�-.,-�.,N �3 April Meeting Minutes Mr. Cauldwell would like, on April 23rd meeting minutes, change from west to north. Dr. Roth would like to known as Dr. Roth, rather than Mr. Roth. *Mr. McCluskie motions to accept all three, 2nd by Aaron. Vote 3-0-2 PASSED May Meeting Minutes Change from VAM to National Lumber *Ms. Friedman motions to accept, Dr. Roth 2nds, Vote 3-0-2 PASSED XIAdjQarritnerat >.. _ . � ._ *Motion to adjourn made by Dr. Roth Vote 5-0 PASSED at 8:52 PM Date of next Open Space and Recreation Committee will be emailed to the committee by Ms. Gonyer ZaA- ' k lnlA� �//z9 // i Signature of Clerk Date Approved