Minutes of Parks Advisory Committee Meeting

 Of December 5, 2007

MANSFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM

7:30 pm

Acting Secretary-Jean Haskell

 

Present:  E. Avery, J. Barrett, S. Harrington, T. Harrington, J. Haskell, J. Kaufmann, P. Potter, D. Silsbee, C. Weiss.

 

I.                     Sue Harrington called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm, by welcoming all and introducing new PAC member Cindy Weiss, a Dunhamtown Forest neighbor.

 

II.                  T. Harrington moved and Haskell seconded to approve the October meeting minutes draft.  The motion passed.

 

III.                  New Business.

      A.  Haskell moved and Barrett seconded approving the 11-27-07 Torrey Preserve land

            management plan draft.  The motion passed.

      B.  PAC meeting 2008 dates were officially posted and include: Feb. 6, Apr. 2, June 4, Sept.

           3, Oct. 1, and Dec. 3.

      C.  Silsbee moved and Barrett seconded to approve the proposed Parks budget for 2008.

      D.  PAC reviewed the draft of the pull-off area for the required public access to the Hillside

           Environmental Education Park (HEEP).  Kaufman will relay PAC’s concern that the

           proposed location of the parking area on Hunting Lodge Road does not provide safe site

           lines for crossing into Shelter Falls.

  1. PAC members discussed the draft Planning, Management, and Acquisition Guidelines

     and will finalize their comments at the February 6 meeting.

 

IV.               Continuing Business

 

A.     PAC membership is complete and can be taken off the agenda. 

 

B.     PAC reports

1.      A Management Plan Review is still needed for Sawmill Brook Preserve. 

2.      Park updates.  Potter reported that there is now water in the pond a Mt. Hope.  Kaufmann reported that the WHIP work is complete at Eagleville, and that PW may have time to work on the wet trail at Mt. Hope.  Kaufman discussed the rerouting of the trailhead at Lynch Landing, and said Phase II work on Riverpark will resume in the spring. 

3.      FOMP.  S. and T. Harrington reported successful attendance at the three Walking Weekend events:  Mt. Hope (40), WilliRiver (55), and Sawmill Brook (55).  There was a Rocks and Minerals program in November.  2008 programming will be co-sponsored with Joshua’s Trust and will include topics of: Tracking, Wildflowers, and Stars.  

4.      NAV.  Kaufman reported that there were 5 fall workdays, totaling 84 volunteer hours.  Haskell suggested that the 2008 NAV award be given to the UConn Community Service group and the committee agreed.

5.      PAC projects.

a.      No progress yet on meetings about a Nature Center.

b.      Management Plan Needs

·        Schoolhouse Brook Park Revision (add Larkins and Morneau)

·        Dunhamtown Forest-addition of Sibley property, etc.

 

C.    Staff Report.  Kaufmann discussed grant opportunities including meeting with the CT Greenways Coordinator about a handicap trail around BiCentennial Pond.  Other Rec Trails grant suggestions included mapping of all trails including subdivision connections, and creating a blind trail.

 

D.    Non-PAC reports. No discussion.

 

V.                 Correspondence.  Kaufmann distributed a new PAC contact list.  Haskell reported about the new online “citizen request form”, to contact the Parks office.

 

VI.               Adjournment was at 8:49 pm.  The next meeting is February 6, 2007.

 

 

Jean Haskell, Recording Secretary

Drafted: 12-7-07

Approved: