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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-17 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, September 17, 2003 Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall September 17, 2003 iI cS. . 0 a i J Present: Rebecca Longley, Larry Goulet, Kelley Meier, Doug Greene, Willham Finch, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator and Linda Boutoures, Recording Secretary. The meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m. Amendments to the Rules and Regulations for use of Town of Reading Conservation Lands The Commission received comments from Town Counsel's review of the Town Bylaws. Ms Fink submitted an anonymous letter for the record. Mr. Goulet questioned the credibility of anonymous letters, and then read the letter out loud. Mr. Finch submitted a letter from Karen Sawyer, 746 Pearl Street, for the record and summarized the comments. She is in favor of the hunting as long as precautions are taken. Mr. Goulet thanked the Hunting Policy Working Group for their hard work to arrive at the recommendations under review tonight. Chairman Doug Greene opened the discussion to the public. Karol McLaughlin, Batchelder Drive, member of the HPWG, said she thought the HPWG recommended limiting hunting to deer only, not to deer season (including other animals in season). Fran Fink responded that she thought it was a limitation of time, not limitation of animal. Fran Fink stated that the season for hunting deer is determined by the state Fisheries and Wildlife officials, and not by the town. The season can be changed from year to year. Richard Marcasala, Timberneck Drive, wanted to know who determines what animals can be hunted. Fran Fink stated that the state determines what animals can be hunted statewide. The Conservation Commission oversees the conservation land and the Commission can set the rules and regulations for their land only. A resident from 88 Timberneck Drive said he would like to see the Conservation land kept as it is. Hunting is barbaric, the land should be enjoyed just the way it is. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, September 17, 2003 Arthur Scapolini, 679 Pearl Street, sees deer all the time on his property, there are kids running into the woods on his property all the time and he is very upset to think that people could hunt deer in his backyard. He stated he was outraged. Larry Goulet reported injury statistics for the past 30 years - no one was killed by bow and arrow accident in that time. Fran Fink spoke about how the hunters use bow and arrows. The hunters go deep into the woods, not near trails or houses. They hunt from a stationary position, usually in a tree and aiming down. The bow is only accurate over a short distance, so they do not shoot until the deer comes close to them. The hunters in Reading have been quiet and relatively obscure. A resident of 34 Timberneck Drive asked, if a wounded deer comes onto private property, who is responsible. The Chairman said that the Environmental Police can come and get the animal if they are hit. The hunter is responsible, but needs permission of the land owner to enter the site. A resident asked whether cross bows or bow guns are allowed. Ms. Fink said no. A question was asked whether the Commission has to notify abutters to the Conservation Land during the hunting season. The Commission answered no. It was brought up by a resident of Timberneck Drive that the police cannot be everyone making sure that everyone is hunting in the allowed areas. It was said that a majority of hunters are police and firemen and they are well aware of the rules and regulations of bow hunting. Those breaking the rules should be reported to the police. A resident said he would not feel safe using the Conservation land if hunters were present. Ms. Fink said that the proposed regulations would limit the time period when hunters might be present and that there are other recreational areas in town where hunting is not allowed that can be used during that time. Ms. McLaughlin presented information from the Police records about incidents involving deer and about the frequency of ticketing for trespass at Camp Curtis Guild. A resident of Belmont Street said that he hunts in Maine and he has a big problem in Reading with deer eating his landscaping. A resident asked whether there was a way to have a general citizen vote on the question of hunting. The Commission said this would require a Town Meeting article and that the Selectmen could provide the details of the process. A resident asked how the Commissioners as individuals feel about hunting. 2 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, September 17, 2003 Ms. Meier said that she agreed with concerns about protecting children, but she also understands that some people enjoy hunting as a hobby. Ms. Longley said that she is new on the Commission and was surprised that hunting is allowed. She has had problems with deer eating her landscaping. She asked whether the Commission might consider placing the matter on a Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Goulet thought that the Commission should not put forward a town-wide policy, but confine itself to decisions about use of the Conservation Lands. Ms. McLaughlin quoted excerpts from town surveys for the 1984 and 1991 Open Space Plans concerning the level of interest in having conservation land to protect wildlife. Mr. Goulet said that hunting is one way to protect deer from overpopulation. Questions were raised about the actual number of deer in town. Mr. Greene said the state estimates the local herd as between 800 to 1000 in Reading and 4 abutting towns. The animals move from town to town. Mr. Finch moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted 5-0-0. The Commission then reviewed the revisions to the draft suggested by Town Counsel. Ms. Fink reported that the Fire Chief recommends that fires and camp stoves not be allowed. Mr. Finch moved to adopt the amendments to the Rules and Regulations as farther amended this evening. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted 3-2, and the motion did not carry. Ms. Longley made a motion to accept the amendments to the Rules & Regulations as amended tonight with a further amendment to rule #7 to read that hunting is not allowed on Reading Conservation Land. Ms. Meier seconded. Voted 2 in favor-2 against- 1 abstention. The motion did not pass. The Commission decided to place the matter on the agenda for September 24 for further consideration. Mr. Finch made a motion that the existing signs posted last November at all of the smaller conservation areas be removed and replaced with signs that hunting is not allowed. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted 5-0. Mr. Goulet moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:40p.m. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 5-0. 3.