APPROVED

Town of Mansfield

Open Space Preservation Committee

Minutes of the February 17, 2009 meeting

Members present:  Evangeline Abbott, Ken Feathers, Quentin Kessel, Jim Morrow, Vicky Wetherell.

1. Meeting called to order at 7:40.

2. Minutes of the January meeting were approved on a motion by Kessel/Feathers.

3. Opportunity for Public Comment:  none present.

4. Old Business:  Brief discussion of subdivision regulations update and reiteration of OSPC support of Joshua’s Trust commitment to open space preservation and their desire to guarantee connections to Whetton Woods and access to Hanks Hill Rd. in relation to the Clark property subdivision.  V. Wetherell will forward comments to G. Paddick pertaining to this.

5. Report from Town Staff:  none.

6. New Business:  Extensive discussion concerning OSPC’s “assignment” to review specific portions of the “Mansfield 2020 Vision” paper.  Members determined that OSPC should be able to provide input it deems important in the areas of particular relevancy to OSPC, such as sustainability, water resources, forests/wildlife habitat protection and recreation.  The Committee also discussed the recent cut to Mansfield’s Park’s Coordinator Position and the negative impact of this cut in hours.  Many of the duties performed by the coordinator are invaluable in terms of the practical support provided to committees and commissions.  It was also stressed that the onset of spring brings many required actions necessary to successfully fulfill requirements of action plans already in place as well as actions that pertain to specific Grants.  There was also some discussion of the misinformation reported in the paper concerning remaining Open Space funds.  The committee will seek clarification on all the above mentioned items.

7. Meeting adjourned at 8:45.

Respectfully submitted,

Evangeline Abbott