Minutes of Parks Advisory Committee Meeting of
September 5, 2007
Acting Secretary-Sue Harrington
Present; Ethan Avery, Juliana Barrett, Sue Harrington, Tom Harrington, Jean Haskell, Jennifer Kaufmann, David Silsbee, Kedron Silsbee
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
The minutes from the June 6, 2007 meeting were approved with no changes.
New Business;
PZC file # 1225-2 Mulwood West – was discussed and maps were examined. The open space dedication seemed reasonable especially with the adjacent proposed town land purchase. The committee chose to make no further comment.
Mention was made of a visit to the Baxter Rd. subdivision by Jennifer Kaufmann, the Harringtons and Greg Paddock to look at the proposed trail on that property. We will continue to monitor the site to make sure it is completed as planned.
Continuing Business:
A. PAC membership- It was reported that Penny Potter’s appointment has been approved.
B. PAC reports
1. Management plan reviews still needed:
· Dunhamtown Forest- Jennifer Kaufmann, Sue Harrington and Ethan Avery are planning a visit in the near future.
· Sawmill Brook Preserve- Dave Silsbee is working on this.
2. Park updates- Jen reported work being done on the broken bridge at Dunhamtown forest.
3. FOMP- Sue Harrington reported that 13 walkers attended the walk at Mt. Hope Park on Ct Trails Day in June. PAC is offering several walks for Walking Weekend: Romp in the Swamp at Mt Hope Park, Between a Rock and a Marshy Place at Wolf Rock and Sawmill Brook, a scavenger hunt along the Willimantic River and a forest program so we will be well represented. The September program is not running and we discussed how to get more publicity and better attendance.
4. NAV- Jen reported that there will be 10 Saturday workdays this fall. 7 will be attended by U-CONN students. She requested help from the committee in supervising some of the days.
5. PAC projects
a. Subdivision Trail Monitoring- Ethan Avery reported on his work and visits to the Dunhamtown trail system and that he will be looking at the trail at Jonathan Lane
b. IPANE- Nothing new
c. Nature Center- Sue and Jen will meet with Curt to discuss the next steps.
d. Management Plan Needs:
· Schoolhouse Brook Park Revision (add Larkins and Morneau)- Dave will try to work on this
· Torrey Property- Jen hopes to have to the town council by Christmas.
· Dunhamtown Forest-addition of Sibley property, etc.- Jen Sue and Ethan will be visiting
C. Staff Report-
River Park update- broke ground in July with Putnam Welding doing the work. We should be getting Phase II money to continue. Vandalism seems to be a problem that will need to be addressed.
Budget update- Low capitol budget, no money for park improvements but the $5,000 PAC budget is intact.
WHIP update- Jen and Charlotte Pyle visited Spring Hill and Mt. Hope and reported good progress.
Know Your Town Fair- PAC will have a booth with Jen manning it 11-1 and the Harringtons from 1-3.
An election was held for the office of chairperson. Sue Harrington will continue in the position. It was decided to continue with the rotating secretary job which seems to be working well.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M. and was followed by refreshments as a send-off and thank-you for Kedron Silsbee who will be leaving for college on Sunday.
Future meetings……October 3, 2007, and December 5, 2007
Respectfully submitted, Sue Harrington , Acting Secretary