Minutes of Parks Advisory Committee Meeting of
February 6,2008
Acting Secretary-Sue Harrington
Present; Juliana Barrett, Sue Harrington, Tom Harrington, Jean Haskell, Jennifer Kaufmann, Cindy Weiss, Michelle Baughman
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
The minutes from the December 5, 2007 meeting were approved with no changes.
New Business;
None
Continuing Business:
A. PAC membership- Michelle Baughman was introduced and expressed interest in joining the committee. Jennifer will submit her name to the Committee on Committees.
B. Draft of Planning Management and Acquisition Guidelines- Jean Haskill went over her suggestions for changes in the document to insure that funds are allocated for the proper development and maintenance of town properties. Jen will discuss the proposed changes with the new town manager.
C. PAC reports
1. Management plan reviews still needed:
Sawmill Brook Preserve- Dave Silsbee is working on this.
2. Park updates- There was a brief discussion about the name of the Torrey property. Jennifer pointed out that most purchased properties are not named for the previous owner but an exception will probably be made in this case because of the importance of the family.
3. FOMP- Sue reported that about 18 people attended the Tracking program in January. Upcoming programs include a Wildflower lecture in March, a bird and breakfast on Mother’s Day and a walk at Fifty-foot on Ct. Trails Day. There will also be a Star Party upcoming.
4. PAC projects
a. Nature Center- Sue and Jen have not met yet.
b. Management Plan Needs:
Schoolhouse Brook Park Revision (add Larkins and Morneau)- Dave will try to work on this
Dunhamtown Forest-addition of Sibley property, etc.- Jen and Ethan are continuing to work on it.
D. Staff Report-
1. Budget Update- Jen reported that it might be a lean year for the budget so we will have to wait and see what is approved.
2. New WHIP project- Schoolhouse Brook Park- A map was passed around showing the area of concentration for the new project to be started this spring. There will only be about a third of the money that was available last year.
3. Old WHIP projects will resume in the spring.
4. Small Greenways Grant- This was submitted for signs along the Willimantic River
5. Rec Trails Program Grant- It was decided that we have enough projects underway and hold off on this.
6. White Oak Condos Septic System Project – There was a lengthy discussion about the details of this project and questions about what alternatives had been explored. The committee felt that it was setting a very bad precedence and wondered how we could ensure better protection of open space land for the future.
Cindy Weiss is going to draft a statement outlining the committees concerns and send it to the members for review. Jennifer invited the group to attend the Feb. 20 meeting of the Conservation Commission to hear what Greg Paddock, the Town Plannerhad to say about it.
7. Lynch Landing- Because of the construction on the Reynolds School building, the parking lot and access to the trail are closed. There is currently no parking space on the road and parking in the school once it opens will be discouraged.
8. NAV workday schedule- The Botany survey group, including Becky Lehmann, Pat Bresnahan, will continue in the spring especially monitoring the WHIP site rejuvenation.
9. Conservation Easement and Grouped Management plan project- a volunteer is organizing the maps and forms.
E. Other-
F. Non PAC Reports
1. Ag Committee reported an upcoming ordinance which would free farm buildings from property taxes up to $100,000.
2. League of Women Voters will host a meeting on the future of water supply in Mansfield.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
Future meetings……April 2, 2008 will begin at 7 P.M. for our volunteer recognition. Tom Harrington will be acting secretary
Respectfully submitted, Sue Harrington , Acting Secretary