HomeMy WebLinkAboutOpen Space Comm. 05/21/2018Town of Mansfield RECE1ll OFF SCE
Open Space and Recreation Committee M Vrfs; c� R
May 21, 2018 0: t►3
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Present: Colin Cauldwell, Chair; Dr. Aaron Roth, Co -Chair; Sharon FriecIm ll at(%n Gonyer,
Conservation and Environmental Planner. {�JSc_��s
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1. Meeting called to order at 5:37 pm.
2. Review in detail damage of trails in Corporal Robert Francis Hardy Conservation Area:
Ms. Friedman and Mr. Cauldwell have cut 15 trees on the trails in the Corporal Robert Francis Hardy
Conservation Area and Mr. Cauldwell said the entire lower portion of the Red Trail is cleared. Ms.
Gonyer noted there are still some large trees that need attention. She said she has started the process
of certifying a vernal pool in this area with Norton's Conservation Agent Jennifer Carlino. Mr. Cauldwell
asked if there were any salamander eggs; Ms. Gonyer said they only saw wood frogs but she will go out
again to look for salamanders.
Ms. Gonyer said she found 10 juvenile boxed turtles dead on the bridge on Williams Street. She will talk
with Richard Alves, Town Engineer, about the wild life corridor at the bridge as well as any other
crossing issues.
Mr. Cauldwell noted the gate at Corporal Robert Francis Hardy Conservation Area still needs to be
repaired or a temporary chain but across the gate to keep trucks out of the area. Ms. Gonyer suggested
boulders be added to this area; she will contact DPW to see if boulders would be acceptable.
3. Trespass issues on Town owned Open Space land including Wading River near Walsh Property, Sweet
& Kalnins at the north side, and 168 Ware off River Edge Road:
Corporal Robert Francis Hardy Conservation Area, 99 Maple Street, near the railroad tracks: VAM, 241
Francis Avenue, is storing empty rail cars on conservation land. Ms. Gonyer said VAM will be at tonight's
conservation meeting for their Vegetation Management Plan and cleaning the area of debris will be part
of the conditions of this permit. Ms. Friedman said the debris is on VAM's property as well as
conservation land. Ms. Gonyer will walk the site to see what needs to be done and will develop a scope
of work.
National Lumber: Ms. Gonyer said there has been a change to the town's CIS regarding National
Lumber's land; the assessor's map shows it is now conservation land. Ms. Gonyer said she will check the
GIS, the Assessor's Department and also the Registry of Deeds in case the town deeded the land over to
National Lumber.
Mr. Cauldwell said the land off Elm Street, almost to Oak Street, has been mowed. Ms. Gonyer will
check to see if the land is town -owned. Mr. Cauldwell said a shed has been built on the right-of-way on
Ware Street off River Edge Road. Ms. Gonyer said the committee can ask that the shed be moved.
4. Sweet & Kalnins Conservation Area/Knight Way: Ms. Gonyer said previously there was a three-story
tree house, an outdoor fire pit, furniture and cars on this property but, as part of an Eagle Scout project,
the area has been cleaned up and the trails remarked. Ms. Gonyer said signage needs to be put along
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the property line with Knight Way. She will design and order twelve (12) new "No Trespassing" signs for
this area.
S. Ms. Friedman said people are using motor bikes in the Great Woods Area; she said they are entering
through the power lines. Ms. Gonyer will check this area.
6. Review discussion from Regional Open Space & Recreation meeting:
Ms. Gonyer and Mr. Cauldwell attended a meeting in Foxborough to discuss open space with bordering
towns. The regional meeting will meet quarterly and Ms. Gonyer volunteered to host the next meeting,
which will be June 14`h from 10 am to 12 pm. She said Lou Andrews, NRT, and Xia Jin, GIS Manager, will
attend the meeting along with representatives from Foxborough, Mansfield, Plainville, North
Attleborough, Sharon and Walpole.
7. Review status of Committee members:
Mr. Cauldwell said Perry DiMascio has applied for a position on the committee. Mr. Cauldwell said they
should check with the Recreation Department to see what they want to do with their seat on the OSRC.
Ms. Gonyer said if there is no one from the Recreation Department who wants to be on the committee,
a member "at large" can be appointed; however, when the "at large" member or any other term
expires, the position would have to be offered to a Recreation Department member.
8. Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 6:08 pm: (Friedman/Roth). Motion passed 3-0.
Chairman signature Date