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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-10 Volunteer Appointment Committee MinutesRECEIVIII Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee Mee • TOWN CLERK June 10, 2013 pp PADING. MASS. Present: Selectmen John Arena and Dan Ensminger and Town IRnager o6 fl Ltalcph Mr. Ensminger nominated John Arena to be Chair, seconded by Mr. Arena and approved by a 2 -0 vote. Mr. Arena called the meeting to order at 7:00pm in the Berger Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Conservation Committee - Terrence Selle Mr. Selle described his background and interest to the VASC for an appointment to the Conservation Committee. He is currently a member of the Trails Committee and thinks this is a natural additional step. He has interest in drainage issues and inadvertent damage caused by summer fertilizer and winter salt, for example. Mr. Arena asked he had personal experience with the Conservation Committee — did he live near wetlands? Mr. Selle replied no and that he recently sold his home. Mr. Arena asked if he knew any members on the CONSCOM — and Mr. Selle answered that he knew Will Finch. Mr. Arena asked if through Will he understood the scope of the work of CONSCOM, which included site visits, and Mr. Selle replied that yes he did. Mr. Ensminger asked if he had the time to spare for this effort, considering his involvement in the Trails Committee. Mr. Selle said that his kids had grown up and moved away so he had more time to give to the Town, and was interested in doing so. Mr. LeLacheur asked if Mr. Selle he knew of any conflicts that would prevent him from serving on CONSCOM, and he replied that he did not have any conflicts. Town Forest Committee — William Sullivan Mike deBri ard Thomas Gardiner and Patrice Todisco Mr. Sullivan described his background as an MWRA civil engineer that had also been active as a Boy Scout leader. He said his interest in the Town Forest dated back to discussions with Ben Nichols. Mr. Ensminger asked if he were familiar with the recent discussion on proposed riles and regulations for the Town Forest, and Mr. Sullivan said that he was, as he has attended most Committee meetings for about a year. He was concerned with some of the draft Volunteer Appointment SubCommittee Minutes — June 10, 2013 — page 2 changes — especially a possibility of limiting use to a maximum of 20 people. He said he had read the Audubon report and was very familiar with the suggestions that report made. Mr. Arena said that given where we were, what would he do next in the process? Mr. Sullivan suggested building consensus with all of the various groups, and that he was not simply a one -issue applicant. He mentioned he was a regular user of the Town Forest for walking and bird - watching. Mr. Arena asked if he had any known conflicts for this position, and Mr. Sullivan indicated that he did not. Mr. Ensminger asked if he understood the time commitment and Mr. Sullivan said he was familiar with the meeting schedule of once per month. Mr. deBrigard described his qualifications and current responsibilities as a DPW employee. Mr. Ensminger asked if he were familiar with the recent discussion on proposed rules and regulations for the Town Forest, and Mr. deBrigard replied that the suggested 20- person limit was ludicrous, but it certainly served to stimulate community involvement and discussion. He said the real issue was to limit the amount of cars that come in to the Town Forest for camping outings. He described some of the narrow paths and how at times it became a dog - walkers versus car battle. Mr. Arena asked if he had any known conflicts for this position, and Mr. deBrigard indicated that he did not. Mr. Arena asked if he were interested in a full membership on the Committee and Mr. deBrigard indicated that he would only be interested in remaining an Associate member, because his work schedule was too unpredictable (eg. snow storms) to be able to attend every meeting. Mr. Gardiner described how he was a current member of the Trails Committee, and he described his time as a water treatment plant operator, working right on the edge of the Town Forest. Mr. Ensminger asked if he were familiar with the recent discussion on proposed rules and regulations for the Town Forest, and Mr. Gardiner stated that there were far too many cars in the Town Forest, and he was in favor of regulations that changed some access to the Town Forest. Mr. Ensminger asked if there was some recent event that caused a need to change the Hiles, and Mr. Gardiner said there is more of a conflict now between conservation of the resource which he favored versus usage of the resource. Mr. LeLacheur recalled three community meetings on open space a year ago, and that one fear expressed by residents was that publicity would increase usage. Mr. Gardiner agreed that it had, and thus the need to revise some rules and regulations now. Mr. Arena asked what he would suggest as a process going forward, and Mr. Gardiner said that a Public Hearing would be held by the Town Forest Committee, a formal new policy would be put forward by the Committee at a meeting with the Selectmen. Mr. Arena asked about any conflicts, and Mr. Gardiner said he had none. Mr. Ensminger asked if he were interested in a full membership to the Committee, and Mr. Gardiner said that he would very much like to be considered for that longer term. Ms. Todisco stated that she had been on the Committee for six years and had made many contributions. She described her background as a landscape architect and planner, and how she helped craft the Town Forest Stewardship plan. She described the community visioning process on open space, and the Audubon study. She mentioned the community meetings on open space held a year ago. Mr. Ensminger asked if she were familiar with Volunteer Appointment SubCommittee Minutes — June 10 2013 — page 3 the recent discussion on proposed rules and regulations for the Town Forest, and Ms. Todisco asked him to clarify the question. He did, and she disagreed with the premise that there was any problem, but emphasized that the priorities of the Audubon study pointed to management issues, which meant a look at rules and regulations as the important first step. Mr. Arena asked what she would suggest as a process going forward, considering_ the fact that some elements of the public were upset with the Town Forest Committee and had `kicked this problem up to the Selectmen'. Ms. Todisco stated that she put a substantial amount of time and effort into the Committee and that she was not feeling appreciated at this point, and was unsure if she wished to continue to participate. Mr. Arena asked her if she wished to be considered for appointment, and she stated that she was no longer certain and the Selectmen should take that into account when making their decision. Recreation — Sean Whalen Mr. Whalen described his background as a probation officer in the Salem district court, and how through conversations with FORR folks and Recreation Administrator John Feudo he became interested in the Committee. Mr. Whalen has coached several sports teams. Mr. Ensminger asked if he understood the time commitment for this position, and Mr. Whalen indicated that he did. Mr. Arena asked if he knew of any conflicts, and Mr. Whalen did not. Mr. Ensminger asked if an Associate member status would be satisfactory and explained the one -year term, and Mr. Whalen replied that he would be very interested in that. Position ADDOintuuOnt Term endin Animal Control Appeals Com. John Miles 6 -30 -16 Board of Appeals John A. Jarema 6 -30 -16 Board of Cemetery Trustees Ronald Stortz 6 -30 -16 Elise M. Ciregna 6 -30 -16 Volunteer A000intment SubCommittee Minutes — June 10.2013 — twe 4 Board of Health David Singer 6 -30 -16 Board of Registrars Krissandra Holmes 6 -30 -16 Climate Advisory Committee Michele Benson 6 -30-16 Climate Adv. Com. (Associates) Laurie Ann Sylvia 6 -30-14 Gina Snyder 6 -30-14 Commissioners of Trust Funds John Daly 6 -30 -16 CPDC Nicholas Safina 6 -30 -16 John Weston 6 -30 -16 CPDC (Associate) George Katsoufis 6 -30 -14 Council on Aging Sally Hoyt 6 -30 -16 Steven Oston 6 -30 -16 Carole Scrima 6 -30-16 Cultural Council Jacalyn Wallace 6 -30-16 Economic Development Comm. Meghan Young 6 -30 -16 Karl Weld 6 -30 -16 EDC (Associates) Camille Anthony 6 -30 -14 John Russell 6 -30 -14 Maria Higgins 6 -30 -14 Fall Street Faire Committee Leslie Leahy 6 -30 -16 Sheila Mulroy 6 -30 -16 Denise Benard 6 -30 -14 Historical Commission Robyn Parker 6 -30 -16 Historical Commission (Associate) Nancy Kohl 6 -30 -14 Virginia Adams 6 -30 -14 Housing Authority Kevin Mulvey 6 -30 -18 Human Relation Adv. Com James Cormier 6 -30 -16 Lori Hodin 6 -30 -16 Jacalyn Wallace 6 -30 -16 Volunteer Appointment SubCommittee Minutes — June 10 2013 — va e 5 HRAC (Associate) Camille Anthony 6 -30 -14 North Suburban Ben Tafoya 6 -30-16 Planning Council Trails Committee Terrence Selle 6 -30 -16 David Williams 6 -30 -16 Trails Committee (Associate) John Parsons 6 -30 -14 West Street Historic Everett Blodgett 6 -30 -16 District Commission Mr. Ensmineer made a motion to adjourn the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee at 8:40pm, seconded by Mr. Arena and approved by a vote of 2 -0 Respectfully submitted, I V° Secretary �.