HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-19 Town Forest Committee Minutes Reading Town Forest Committee Meeting, 3/19/13 7M! NOV 13 PM 6: 30
Arnold Berger Conference Room,Town Hall
Committee members in attendance
Terry Selle,Kendall Stackhouse,Patrice Todisco (Chair),Rick Wetzler,Tom Gardiner
Town employees in attendance
Kim Honetschlager(GIS Coordinator),Jeff Zager (Public Works Director)
Visitors
Nancy Doctor,Kirk Rossi
Introduction of Public Works Director
Jeff Zager provided a brief overview of the Reading Department of Public Works,which he directs,
as the newly designated administrative base for the RTF committee.
Tree Removal Proposal
Kirk Rossi,a Reading resident his entire 23 years,requested RTF Committee approval for 10 tree
removals,in support of his hobby cultivating bonsai. Preferably white birch,American larch,or
hemlock,he proposed harvesting trees 10 feet or less in height and half-foot diameter(dbh)or
smaller. In early Spring,he would remove and haul the trees responsibly,filling each resulting
hole,while minimizing disturbance.
Questions were raised about defining"responsible"removal and transport. Specific concerns
involved potential:
• site disturbance,particularly in riparian areas with erosion&sedimentation risks;
• disturbance created via hauling;and
• the larger concern that this could create an open season on removals (e.g.of
holiday trees&foliage) by numerous others.
Kirk agreed with the suggestion of replacing each removed tree with three small seedlings—such
that there would be a net gain in species and age-class diversity.
The Committee decided to table its final decision on the proposal,pending development of a
precise list of potential impacts to be addressed,and steps that would be needed on Kirk Rossfs
(or any other individual's)part to minimize these impacts. Meanwhile,he would be welcome to
use the RTF site map on the Town website and to tag the trees for which he proposed removal.
Following an inspection walk by one or more Committee members,action could then be taken on
his proposal. Sites on land within Conservation Commission purview would need it's approval.
Preceding RTF Meeting Minutes
Following amendment with additional information(from Patrice Todisco),minutes from the
preceding meeting will be reviewed by the Committee at our subsequent session.
The revised set of minutes from the 11/27 meeting was discussed. The motion to approve(by
Rick Wetzler)was seconded (by Kendall Stackhouse) and unanimously approved.
Scheduling Future Meetings
Committee Member Mark Wetzel,who has been serving as secretary,is unable to meet on
Tuesdays. Patrice will discuss alternatives with him and contact the rest of the Committee with
options.
Rules&Regulations
Town Forest Rules and Regulations were revisited using those of the Conservation Committee as a
lens. Discussion was focused particularly upon where the two sets of criteria diverged,with an
eye to clarifying and/or improving upon RTF's list.
Key differences emerged in the following areas:
a. Identifying when RTF is open to public(Patrice)
b. Hunting(e.g.duck hunting from boats),allowable in Conservation areas (e.g.
Ipswich River) but deemed inappropriate for RTF(Kendall)
c. Commercial use-a local group (either Reading Athletic Club or Reading Recreation)
recently conducted a foot race on Town Forest land,for which they received entry
fees;wording was needed to ensure RTF vetting and permission for such activities
(Patrice);
d. Management-It was noted that,with a dedicated half-time employee,the
Conservation Commission can take on more operations and oversight than can a
committee such as RTF,staffed entirely by volunteers. Examples pertained to
dealing with litter accumulated from recent events in the forest,and monitoring and
enforcement such as recent hacking of trees there by vandals.
e. Motor vehicles—further discussion will be needed before guidelines on vehicular
access can be finalized.
E Bikes—following a brief discussion of mountain bike regulation at other parks,such
as Middlesex Fells,it was agreed to postpone discussion on this topic to a later date.
g. Dog walking:a general sense was articulated that this conversation can be pursued
in multiple ways at future meetings (Nancy Doctor).
h. Violations punishable by fine—this capability is not in the purview of the RTF
Committee (Patrice).
i. Contact information—it was suggested that contact information for RTF Committee
members be added to the resulting regulations document(Nancy).
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Further Discussion
Additional clarifications and conversation focused on the potential for further Eagle Scout
projects,including one on signage(Kirk),the challenges of responding to all RTF email traffic,
coordinating scheduling(e.g.with the Recreation Department for facility use),the extent of
advance time needed prior to events(currently 21 days),the posting(vs carrying) of use permits,
posting of signs,regulating use of firewood in order to prevent pest-contaminated fuel use (e.g.
minimizing risk of Asian Long-Horn beetle infestation);whether to prohibit smoking;and policy
regarding horses.
Draft revisions will be circulated and response commentary will be brought to a subsequent
meeting.
Future outgrowth
Kim and Patrice met with RMHS's Enviro Team,encouraging them to conduct a project within the
Town Forest.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Wetzler
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Reading Town Forest Rules DRAFT
Effective Date: ? 2013
1. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the Reading Town Forest at no charge from dawn to dusk.
2. Hours of use may be extended for a specific event or use if written permission has been obtained from
the Town Forest Committee for the specific extended time. Applications for the extended time must be
made at least 21 days in advance of the event or use. The written permission shall be carried by the
person in charge of the event at all times during the event.
3. Organized commercial or group activities require prior written permission by the Town Forest
Committee. Applications for the activity must be made at least 21 days in advance of the activity. The
written permission shall be carred by the person in charge of the activity at all times during the activity.
4. No work of any type shall be carried out in the Town Forest without prior written permission from the
Town Forest Committee. "Work"includes but is not limited to trail clearing,trail maintenance,
excavation, filling,building structures,and posting signs(except on public bulletin boards).
5. Smoking is prohibited. Fires and camp stoves are prohibited except with written permission.
6. No person shall cut,break,remove,deface,defile,or ill-use any structure,fence,or sign,or have
possession of any part thereof. No plants(including trees,bushes, grasses,or Bowers)shall be defaced
or cut. This prohibition applies to dead as well as living vegetation.
7. Discharge of firearms is prohibited in the Town of Reading, including in the Town Forest. Discharge or
carrying of BB guns,pellet guns,paintball guns,airsoft guns,and similar non-lethal weapons is
prohibited in the Town Forest
8. No hunting is allowed in the Town Forest.
9. Conservation land is closed to any Type of motor-powered vehicle except in prepared driveways and
parking areas,or vehicles necessary for emergency response by the Reading Police and Fire
Departments,or with prior written permission of the Town Forest Committee.
10. Responsible bicycle use is allowed in the Town Forest.
11. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Glass containers for any purpose are prohibited in the Town Forest.
12. Dumping, littering, filling or any other deposition of imported materials, including but not limited to
garbage,debris,earth, leaves or brush is prohibited in the Town Forest.
13. Users must carry out everything that they carry in.
14. Dogs may enter the Town Forest provided that they are accompanied by and under the effective control
of some person. The person accompanying the dog shall promptly remove feces deposited by the dog in
the Town Forest.
15. Violations of these rules and regulations may be punished by fines up to$100 per violation under
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 8C,which is administered by the Reading Town
Forest Committee or its agents, including the Reading Police and Fire Departments.
16. Fire wood
17. Camping
3/192013 daft