HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-01 ad Hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee Minutes7
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Ad Hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee
October 1, 2007 - Town Hall Berger Room
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: James Bonazoli, Roger Frechette, Mary Ann Kozlowski, Gary Gresh, Bob
Hunt, John Fuedo, Ben Ream,
Gary Gresh called the meeting to order at 7:09
Questions to be answered:
9 Where will new Imagination Station go?
• Can the hill where the ropes course is be removed either partially or entirely?
Perhaps ask Bill Brown whether the hill was man made or not?
Taking the second point first, "There will be opposition no matter what we do.
Especially taking down trees on the hill or by the fields."
Still some debate as to whether Castine Field truly qualifies as "wetlands." James will
talk with Town Manager about potential for laying extra layer in the field to help with
drainage and shifting field toward softball fields. Check on the potential of wetland
compensation in the Higgins area.
Were Castine improved, it would come very close to serving as a full-sized soccer field
for U - 14. Mary Ann envisioned "Vernal pools and frogs laying eggs" creating interest
in science and nature. The group agreed the most important things to find out are "what
precisely are Wetlands", and therefore "What is possible?" "If the Conservation
Committee has total veto power, what's the point of our racking our brains for plans that
will never come to fruition?"
John brought up that the main charter for the committee is to come up with a long-range
plan. "If A happens, we recommend B should happen."
Another goal is to reconfigure the fields to get 3, or perhaps even 4, baseball/ softball
fields. For that to happen, the land which was Imagination Station may be needed.
("There's not really enough space for a skinned infield up by the parking lot."
The new I.S. therefore would need to be in the open area between the baseball field and
Turf iI. The following recommendations were made by various members:
• Find way to make Castine usable
• Make hill into useable space
• New I. S. in Birch Meadow area
• A small field for Whiffle Ball if possible
• Splash park near tot lot
• Skate park if possible
• Bathrooms and a Snack Shack
• Public pool and Youth/ teen center are desirable - not sure if Birch Meadow will
have room.
To further explore these options it will be necessary to walk the grounds with George, the
engineer, Thursday, October 4 at 5:00 PM.
Motion to adjourn passed 8-0-0