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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-27 Town Forest Committee Minutes i< 4cv C iy t.I, -i0V!N CLERK Town Forest Committe 2/27/2012 2U NOV 13 PM 6: 43 In attendance:Patrice Todisco,chair;Mark Wetzel,member;Tom Gardiner,member;Dave Williams;Jean Delios,planning department;Jeff Collins,Mass Audubon;Liz Newlands,Mass Audubon. Other members of the Town Forest Committee not in attendance: Mike de Brigand,who is also on the towns Department of Public Works. Please see page two for minutes from the meeting of 2/27/2012. Major Goals for Ecological Extension Service • Natural Resource Inventory • Understanding wants and needs of various constituentsArticulating the Town Forest • Committee's vision for the property Next Steps •Patrice Todisco will forward names and contact information for various constituents with a stakeholding in the property,as well as contact information for the town GIS manager. •Patrice Todisco will forward relevant documents regarding history of the town forest •Mark Wetzel will forward language regarding the charter of the Town Forest Committee. • Mark Wetzel will forward information regarding proposed parking at the end of Stout Ave. •Dave Williams will forward report on Blue-spotted Salamander. •Liz Newlands will download Forest Management Plan from town website. GLS information is available from Kim Honetshlager. DPW maintains roads for emergency access to wells.They plow the roads in winter and cut back vegetation along the road edges in summer. The Trails Committee proposes and maintains a trail network in the town. The Trails Committee interfaces with the Town Forest Committee a lot as both groups have similar interest.Tom Gardiner sits on both committees. Jeff Collins asks who the audience for the report is.Mark Wetzel replies that the committee seeks a report that establishes vision,a pathway for the town forest that allows for some degree of control and management over the property. There is some discussion about the ball field proposed at the end of Strout Ave,a discussion that began about two or three years ago.There is also some discussion about whether or not the well fields are going to be maintained as emergency supply in the future. Patrice Todisco responds to Jeffs question by stating that the natural resource inventory portion of the report would be useful in helping the community value the various benefits of the property to the town.Ms.Todisco further commented that understanding the various wants and needs of the various constituents,and issues of parking,traffic,and camping are also important. Each of these aspects will help shape a vision for the property which can serve as a basis for sharing a shared vision of the property among interested parties. There was a brief discussion regarding the various scout groups and recreational groups who use the property for overnight campouts and running races.Other interested parties who use the property were also discussed.These include,but are not limited to:community gardemers, Friends of Reading Recreation,Wood End Elementary School students,dog walkers,Walkable Reading,Tufts University,Ipswich River Watershed Association,hikers,nature enthusiasts, and birders. A brief discussion ensued about improved parking,including a proposal that was put forth by the Town Manager to build a parking lot at the end of Strout Ave.The gate at Strout Ave,and the compost area,were also mentioned during the discussion of improved access and parking at this location as these activities could potentially be in conflict.Improved access to the property is needed,but should not be the focus of Mass Audubon EES work on the property.Town Forest Committee members indicated that Strout Ave,the compost area,and Sunset Rock lane are all possible access points. Jeff Collins asked about other historical documents that the Town Forest Committee may be aware of the EES might review as they prepare their report Patrice mentioned old records from previous Town Forest Committee meetings,and newspaper articles about the inception of the Town Forest.She also noted that biodiversity days data had been collected on site.Jeff Collins then asked about the authoritative reach of the Town Forest Committee.Mark Wetzel replied that he would send language regarding the charter of the committee. The meeting ended with a review of the scope and a rough time frame regarding projected completion dates.Patrice Todisco indicated that the town GIS manager would be able to help with much of the data and map preparation.Ms.Todisco also stated that she would forward relevant documents.There was discussion about a public meeting to be held perhaps in June where the Mass Audubon EES could present some of their initial findings regarding the natural resource inventory of the property,and illicit comments from other stakeholders regarding their interests in the property and how they use it.