Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-13 Town Forest Committee Minutes :L4EI'v' cu Reading Town Forest Master Plan May 13,2009,7:30pm 9411 NOV 13 PM 6. 44 Senior Center Minutes Attending: Mike DeBrigard,Kim Honetschlager,George Perry,Patrice Todisco,Carol Kowalski The purpose of the meeting is to begin a Master Plan process for the Town Forest. Ms. Todisco raised the question of whether the plan would be produced by a Selectmen-appointed committee. Ms. Kowalski reported that the Town Manager and she recommend that it be a subset of Town Forest Committee members and others who would produce the plan, led by Staff planner Abigail McCabe with support from the Town Planner. Stakeholders The following stake-holders were suggested, as a start,to include in announcements and for input in a Master Plan process for the Town Forest: Conservation,DPW, Walkable Reading,Tree Warden,Dog walker's group(confirm name,WAG?), Scouts, RCASA, Fire Dept. (access), Police Dept.,Traits Committee, Historical Commission,Reading dog-owners listserv,Reading bird-watchers listserv, Reading Recreation Department,Friends of Reading Recreation,Reading Water Department,RMHS Science Department,Vernal Pool Club,Reading Open land Trust, Cities for Climate Protection,the Reading Garden Club, Meadowbrook Gold Club,the neighborhood near the Town Forest. Notices should go the gas pipeline owner(Tennessee Valley Authority),and to Rachel Baumgartner at the local history archive at the library. Plan Elements Ms.Kowalski reviewed the likely elements of a master plan for the Town Forest: Existing conditions, Vision, Goal-setting,Action Steps,the latter three requiring public input,and Funding/Implementation. Scope of work The group agreed that preliminary mapping and a summary of known conditions should be prepared, including problems and opportunities. Ms.Todisco and Ms.Honetschlager cited the Open Space Plan, At Wood End,and the local history room at the library as good sources. Mr. Perry and Ms. Todisco referred to Ben Nichols' history on the Town Forest as another good source for information. Ms. Todisco would speak with Virginia Adams of the Historical Commission,as well. Ms.Honetschlager added the Ipswich River Watershed Association's Jim Macdougall for science and research context for the Town Forest Master Plan. Timeframe The group agreed that this summer would be information gathering, reconnaissance, and site visits for staff,and to compile a preliminary existing conditions summary and photographs.A public meeting would be held in the fall to begin seeking public input. Staff Planner available evening meeting times through June were provided to Ms. Todisco for scheduling future meetings. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.