Town of Mansfield

Parks Advisory Committee

Minutes from April 4, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:50 PM

Members present: Sue Harrington, Tom Harrington, Jean Haskell, David Silsbee, Kedron Silsbee

Town Staff: Jennifer Kaufman

Visitors:  Don and Penny Potter

Minutes from the February 7 meeting were approved.

Kedron presented a proposal for a new trail on the Torrey Property.  A site walk with abutting landowners will be scheduled before blazing the trail.

A possible trail to a waterfall on town land on Baxter Road was discussed.

Sue reported a possible infringement issue along the south border of Shelter Falls Park.  Jennifer will check this out.

Sue and Tom reported on conditions at Merrow Meadow.  There is a severely damaged post at the parking area and several missing signs. The wet area fixed by the Boy Scout project is still a problem.  The fix that looked so good during the dry season is not working now that conditions are wetter.  The park is also suffering from considerable illegal ATV use.  Work on cutting autumn olive and multiflora rose is needed, perhaps on a work day late in the summer.

Unleashed dogs are becoming a serious problem to neighbors at Mt. Hope Park as well as an ongoing problem at Merrow Meadow.  Sue will write a memo to Town Council suggesting a ordinance requiring dog owners to keep dogs on a leash and clean up after them and authorizing fines for violators.  She will circulate the draft to PAC members by e-mail.

FOMP programs continue to be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

Jennifer presented the schedule for 10 NAV workdays over the course of the spring.

Walking Weekend(S)  walks were discussed.  Tom and Sue will lead a Wolf Rock/Sawmill Brook walk and a “Romp in the Swamp” at Mt. Hope Park.  Jennifer will try to get Carolyn Stearns to lead a farm tour.

Sue presented a proposal to move forward with Nature Center planning.  PAC members will read it and be prepared to discuss it at the next meeting.

Jean reported on the Land Management Committee meeting

Jennifer reminded the committee of the upcoming land conservation workshop.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55