Town of Mansfield

Open Space Preservation Committee

Minutes of the November 20, 2007 meeting

 

Members present:  Quentin Kessel, Steve Lowrey, Jim Morrow, David Silsbee, Jennifer Kaufman.

 

  1. Meeting called to order at 7:36.

 

  1. Minutes of the October 23, 2007 meeting were approved on a motion by Kessel/Silbee.

 

  1. Opportunity for Public Comment:  none present.

 

  1. Old Business:  none.

 

  1. Recommendations to Town Manager:  none.

 

  1. New Business:  a. Discussion of the management plan for the Torrey property.  It was suggested that the property might be called the Torrey Preserve.  Through adoption of this plan, the existing trails will become official trails.  The Committee is in favor of leaving the access off of Holly Lane as this may become an important link when the Town Center project is completed.  Kessel/Silsbee: Accept the proposed management plan with minor modifications and recommend that the Council adopt the plan – motion carries.

                                   

                                    b. Discussion of proposed Management Plan and Acquisition Guidelines.  Kessel/Silsbee: accept guidelines and recommend that the Council     adopts the guidelines – motion carried.

 

                                    c. Discussion of UCONN HEEP proposal.  The committee had                         some discussion about the proposed parking lot on Hunting Lodge Rd. near the      Carriage House Apts. and the potential for the lot to be a problem area.  The      location of the parking lot is well suited to access Shelter Falls Park.  The         committee recognizes the need for a parking lot in the vicinity however; the area             may need to be monitored by the UCONN police.  The committee recommends        that if the parking lot becomes a nuisance that it be closed since the proposed     parking lot over the old landfill site will provide access for UCONN students.

 

 

  1. Meeting adjourned at 8:18.

 

Respectfully submitted

Stephen Lowrey