Mansfield Parks Advisory Committee
Minutes for February 2, 2005
Members present: Sue Craig, Jean Haskell, Jaqulyn Perfetto, David Silsbee.
I. The meeting was called to order by chairperson Sue Craig, at 7:40 pm. The minutes of 12-01-04 were accepted.
The scheduled January, 2005 meeting was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
II. Continuing Business
A. PAC member recruitment: Sue Craig, Jean Haskell, Jaqulyn Perfetto and David Silsbee have committed to stay on PAC. Pat Bresnahan and John Fisher are resigning. Discussion points included although a nine-member committee is suggested, that PAC is doing well with only five members, in part due to the presence of 20 hours of parks office staff per week, and a staff-supervised volunteer program. Haskell suggested changing the monthly meeting schedule to four times a year, in an attempt to utilize our meeting time better, and attract more committee members. Inter-meeting problems could be addressed as they are now, by staff communications with members or a call for a special PAC meeting. Silsbee moved and Perfetto seconded that PAC decrease their 2005 meeting schedule as follows: March, April, June, October. The motion passed. Silsbee moved and Perfetto seconded that 2005 PAC member recruitment continue (by PAC members and Committee of Committees) for a minimum of five members, but not necessarily needing nine. The motion passed.
B. PAC reports:
1. Management, D. Silsbee. The Fifty-Foot Cliff Preserve management schedule was approved. Dunhamtown Forest Management Plan was reviewed with updates and management schedule suggestions.
2. Volunteers, J. Haskell. An expanded workday schedule will be announced in the Summer Parks & Rec. magazine, including an experiment with Wednesday Workdays after June 15. A Volunteer Reception is scheduled before the April PAC meeting and Haskell suggested initiating a service award. Silsbee moved and Perfetto seconded that PAC present a service award at the volunteer reception. The motion passed. A volunteer mailing has gone out including a newsletter and reports to be completed and returned. Perfetto volunteered to help with coordinating the wildlife monitoring information. Silsbee moved and Perfetto seconded that Vicky Wetherell’s Willimantic River Alliance Roving Trail Group is permitted to clear a trail at Plains Road. The motion passed.
3. Education, S. Craig. An expanded FOMP programming will be announced in the Summer Parks & Rec. magazine, including monthly FOMP events and weekly Thursday Treks after June 15. Registration and attendance for the winter events is good. Craig is also leading an after school science class series. Craig is sending out Nature Center surveys in February. The Cub Scout wood duck house project is waiting for the leader’s initiative.
4. Park updates: Haskell reported that there was an office call about two trees down at SHBP.
C. Staff reports: Haskell.
1. Parks Staff has formally proposed a Parks 2005 budget to both P&R Director Vincente and the Land Management Committee, a first step in establishing a separate system of accounting, tracking, and budgeting for parks-related operations.
2. Monthly meetings continue with Public Works supervisors and the “Work Request” system is in place and working.
3. Recent invasives control actions included a meeting with Donna Ellis/Jasmine Wolf about joining our efforts at SHBP, posting invasives information on our P&R website, and the strategy report and map from Dan Donahue for SHBP. Craig discussed information from a lecture about Wooly Adelgids.
4. Enhancements. The Online Trail Guide project continues. The Plains Road project is now in the formal design stage. Kaufman is submitting a development plan for Commonfields for our 2005 Recreational Trails Grant application. Silsbee moved and Perfetto seconded that PAC approve the Commonfields grant application. The motion passed. Suggestions for applications for the 2005 Quinnebaug-Shetucket Partnership Grant included improvements for the Eagleville Community Gardens site and Craig’s FOMP Trail Activities Guide.
D. Non-PAC reports. No comments.
III. Correspondence. None.
IV. Future Agendas. The meeting adjourned at 9:15. March 2, Eagleville Preserve and Old Spring Hill Field management plan reviews. April 6, Volunteer Reception at 7:00 pm, School House Brook management plan review. June 1. October 5.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Haskell, PAC secretary
February 3, 2005
PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting of March 2, 2005
Mansfield Community Center Conference Room
7:30 pm
I. Call to order. (Announcements. Guests. Minutes approval.)
II. New business.
III. Continuing Business.
A. PAC reports.
1. Land management plan reviews. D. Silsbee.
2. Volunteers. J. Haskell.
3. Education. S. Craig.
4. Parks Updates.
B. Parks Staff Reports.
1. Grants.
2. Projects.
3. Budget.
4. Other.
C. Non-PAC reports.
1. Town advisory committee minutes.
2. Other.
IV. Correspondence.
V. Future Agendas. Adjournment.