HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-12-20 Town Forest Committee Minutes 64
September 16 , 1973
Ioeting was held at residence of Irving E . Dickey ,
Vice Chairman
:.:embers present included the following :
James S. Peary, Chairman
Irving E.Dickey, Vise Chairman
Benjamin E. Nichols, Secretary
James S . Perry notified the committee that he wants to
resign membership on this committee as he has moved to
.001f000ro , uew hampsuire, even though he is retaining
his legal residence in Reading, Mase.
It was moved and voted to make the following offer
to George D. MacMillan , 10 narrow Street , 'Winsheste;
Mass , for land which is in the name of his deceased
father , whi.h is in the northern past of the Town
adjoining the Town Forest . 3enjamin E. Nichols was
instructed to communicate w1tlhi Mr . L:aellillan with
the offer,
Swamp Land x100-.00 per acre
High Land 200.00 per acre
The minutes of the meet-r.-r of ;:arch 26 , 1973 were read
The meet i.0 was adjourned . and approved.
Desem:-,er 20 , 1973 6 :4b ?M I.iunisipal Buiidam&
L formal postedd meeting was held .
Members present : Irving E. Dickey
George B. Perry
Benjamin E. Nichols
James S . Perry , who had been a member of tlis committee
from 1959 through most of 1973 has retired to Plolfeboro,
New Hampshire , and has resiLned form the Town Forest
Committee . He had been chairman of this committee for
all of those yeas .
The present committee organized , and the following
members were nominated and voted for the following
offices :
ueorge o. Perry , Chairman
Irving E. Dickey , Vice Chairman
Benjamin E . Nichols , Secretary
r
The minutes of the previous meeting on Septembet 16, 1973
were read and approved.
The appointment of David Harlow, or any other person ,
to watch the .Town Forest to prevent the removal of live
shrubs , trees or plants of any sort was confirmed. The
pay for this work was voted to be 03.00 per hour, with
no fringe benefits . This watch duty was to be done on
the three weekends prior to Christmas. The first two
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weekends would be covered on Saturday and Sunday , and the
third weekend would be covered on Saturday, Sunday and
Monday . This year Christmas comes on Tuesday, and on
Monday many persons are not at their usual employment .
The annual salary of 5;100 .00 was voted for Miss Eleanor
Taylor who handles the finanaial book'aeeping for the
Committee. Irving E. Di-key will arran; e with her to
have this item put on the weekly warrant .
It was voted that a plaque should be obtained as a
memento to our former chairman , James S . Perry , for the
benefits to the Town Forest that were the result of his
efforts over many years . Irving E . Dickey will investigate
the purchase of a suitable plaque .
The problem of the removal without permission of wood
from both dead and live trees from the Forest was
discussed . It visa agree? that the removal should be
stopped , even though there 'r_as been much publicity of
a shortage of heating energy , of va-r,_ous kinds . It was
agreed that it is os opinion that eventually the
entrance to the ', ater Department and the Town Forest
should be closea at Strout ivenue and Grove Street.
Until cuis nus oeen done , the Town Forest should oe
closed at the location of the sign, and also at Point One .
George B. Perry will discuss with Chief Mitchell of the
Fire Department if it is agreeable with him to make this
initial closing with large boulders .
The Forest shaald be open to those Reading residents
who would like to hike in the Forest . It will still be
permissible for Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls to camp
in the Forest .
Steven Rhodes , a member of the TownReereation Committee,
asked this committee for our consideration of the use of
the Forest , during the Bicentennial Year beginning in
May 1975 , for visitirg family campers from out-of-state
who may be eoming to visit -eading, At the present
ti�u , the Committee is of the opinion tz t it will not
be feasible to open the Forest for the following reasons:
Not enough open space available .
Eealth and sanitation problems.
Cost of supervision and police protection.
George Perry will discuss with Chief Beaudoin of the
Police Department the possibility of the purchase by this
committee of portable radio communication equipment , so
that anyone working in the Town Forest could have direct
eommunietion with the Police Department should the
need occur.
The meeting was adjourned at 7 :25PM