HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-30 ad Hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee MinutesTOWN CLERK
RL DING, MASS.
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Ad Hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee
July 30, 2007 - Town Hall Community Room
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: James Bonazoli, Roger Frechette, Mary Ann Kozlowski, Shannon Fratto,
Gary Gresh, Jamie Maughan, Ben Ream, John Feudo, Chris Caruso, Bob Hunt
Ben Ream left the meeting at 8:30PM. James Bonazoli arrived at 8:40PM.
Gary Gresh called the meeting to order at 7:08PM.
1. In a re-cap from the previous meeting the committee discussed the recommendation to
re-grade the Coolidge field with the loam from the Parker field.
U. Castine Field and Higgins
Jamie updated the committee on the hurdles for potentially filling and grading Castine
Field, including:
• Doing so would be for the greater public good
• Alternatives analysis has been performed
• If the field is in fact filled in, there must be a 2:1 ratio of newly created wetland in
the same watershed. Creating new wetland is expensive and risky if it does not
"take."
• As a consequence of these hurdles, more thought is being put into looking at how
much wetland currently exists in the Higgins area, and the potential for creating a
field or other enhancements there.
uestions
• How much is Castine actually used - summer/winter?
• Further discussion of Higgins requires better understanding of protected areas and
dry areas that could be developed.
• Investigate possibility of placing practice soccer field in non wetlands area of
Higgins.
• Investigate natural insect remediation within Higgins such as bat houses.
Recommendations
Higgins
• Use funds available to build path/walkways in Higgins - to neighborhoods and for
general hiking/walking. Add wood boardwalks and bridges as appropriate.
• Keep paths natural - not asphalt or concrete -but meet ADA requirements
Castine
• Add cooling coils/compressor (a la Frog Pond in Boston Common) to extend ice
skating season at Castine
• Allow Castine to return to natural state in summer, become shallow pond with
fountain in center for aeration
• Add trees, plantings and benches around Castine to enhance natural setting
• Build bridge over `river' to small clearing. Add benches, bocce, horshoes to
clearing.
III. Imagination Station and Softball Fields
A variety of options were considered for the Imagination Station location including
another play station, a rec center, a wiffleball field, and moving current girls softball field
into that location to make it a full field.
Questions
• How much land will be taken from Imagination Station for road by stadium?
• Is this enough land for whiffle ball?
Recommendations
• Reconfigure softball fields, including moving girls softball field into IS location,
so there are three full fields facing away from the road.
• Relocate shot put structure.
• Fix drainage problems
IV. Trees with circle of benches near Softball Fields
Recommendation
The committee discussed building an older child playground in this location that
incorporates the trees and natural setting with visibility to all the surrounding fields. This
structure could take the place of Imagination Station. The committee discussed the need
to screed the playground from the softball fields if the outfields are directed in that
direction.
Questions
• Can this be done? Is that grove a memorial?
• Would this playground need to be ADA accessible.
V. Hill with Trees and Roves Course
Recommendation
The hill should remain; it is the only topographical relief in area. Clean out the
underbrush and plant grass. leave all the large trees and make it an inviting natural area.
The high ropes course could remain - the committee did not discuss the low ropes course.
VI. Teen Center
The need for a youth rec center was discussed - though a consensus was not reached.
Options discussed for a center included building a new building, making the field house
more available to youth in town, and using the senior center as a center during evening
hours.
Questions
• Would it be used?
• Check on other teen centers: Tewkesbury, Acton. What are demographics, usage
rates?
VII. A Whiffle ball field would be a great addition for the town - possibly in the Birch
Meadow area in a suitable location.
VIII. Discussion of multi-use outdoor courts, whiffle ball Fenway field, possible pool,
and splash area deferred to next meeting.
IX. Action Items/ Takeaways:
• Gary is going to look into cooling coils and Castine Field, as well as ADA
compliance for possible hiking paths.
• John will determine how much Castine Field is used currently.
• Jamie will continue to act as liaison between the Birch Meadow and the
Conservation Committees regarding the wetlands.
• Mary Jane (and Shannon?) has already shown great initiative in the town survey
• Ask Kim H. to redo GIS map of area to see if proposed field changes will fit.
Motion to adjourn was motioned by Chris and seconded by James and Mary Ann.
Meeting adjourned at 9pm. Next meeting will be held on August 13, at 7pm at Town
Hall.
The next Committee meeting will be on August 20. We will meet in the Berger Room on
the second floor of Town Hall at the end of the hall near the Town Manager's office.
Invite Kate Kaininer and Lorraine Salter to next meeting to discuss tennis court area
plans and requirements.
Respectfully submitted by: Benjamin Ream, Mary Ann Kozlowski and Gary Gresh