HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-16 Town Forest Committee Minutes O� OFq�O
Town of Reading _
Meeting Minutes RETOWNtC�EO
READING, MA
Board - committee - Commission - Council: 1113 SEP -3 AM 8: 38
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2019-04-16 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address:
Purpose: Town Forest Management Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
William Sullivan, Daniel Ford, Michael Bourque, Nancy Docktor, Thomas
Gardiner, Kurt Habel, Rick Wetzler,
Members - Not Present:
Farrukh Najmi
Others Present:
Jane Kinsella, Reading DPW Director
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Bill Sullivan
Topics of Discussion:
1. A represetative of Reading Scouts presented the Scouts letter dated 3/25/2019
that requested that the Council Ring be included in the proposed pilot thining
program. (Letter is attached.) The committee decided to discuss this request with
our certified forester Phil Benjamin on the upcoming site walk that will be
scheduled with the Conservation Commission.
2. Phil Benjamin will prepare the scope of services for the pilot program. Town staff
will prepare the other parts of the request for bids.
3. A Reading resident presented his concern for the number of vehicles parked on
Grove Street for users of the TF. He also said that the Town Forest has become
a dog park that is being overused, particularly by professional dog walkers who
often have more dogs off leash than can be safely controlled. The Committee
discussed if a restricion should be placed on the number of dogs per person that
can be brought into the TF. Also discussed the possibility of the Town creating a
dog park to help take some load off the TF including the dog waste that too many
people are not picking up. Need more public awareness of the importance of
picking up dog waste.
4. Kurt Habel will take the lead in planning for the Town Forest Conference that is
planned to celebrate the 901' anniversary of the TF in 2020.
5. The minutes of the 3/19/2019 meeting were approved.
6. Next Meeting: Tuesday May 21, 2019 at 7:00 PM
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