Open Space Committee
Open Space Committee minutes for July 13, 2021
Present: Rick Gardner, Susan Downing, Deb Cary, Karen Rossow
Meeting began at 7:00. As is the current protocol, Rick set up a laptop computer GoTo Meeting for remote access for any member of the public to join us in this fashion. We met in person for the first time in over a year!
Minutes were unanimously approved for the June OSC meeting.
Resignation: Kelton Burbank is not renewing his position as a committee member. Susan is in the process of becoming a member but has not been sworn in yet. We will outreach for another member and one alternate. Karen will take on secretary duties.
Trail Vision and Action Plan updates: Signage progress and status of trails. Cobb Brook signs completed except at the entrance. We are grateful to Phil O’Brien, Deb and Charlie Cary and Rick Gardner for their work on this.
The Bullock-McElroy land has small signs and trailhead signs. The small brown signs are pending, so the signage is nearly complete. We haven’t received funding for these signs and we will request it from the Princeton Land Trust (PLT) since much of this property is theirs. Deb will create a signage total summary of upcoming funding requests for the PLT so they have some idea of the whole request. We will point out that we aren’t asking them to cover a new sign at Four Corners. Also, we are getting a terrific price for the smaller signs: $3.50 per square foot and we can fit three signs within that, which the company cuts for us.
Regarding Thomas Prince School trails, Joe DiFranza and Phil O’Brien are going to improve the existing trail sign and Parks & Rec has agreed to fund that. Also, Rick met with school administration and Parks and Rec and all are enthusiastic about improving signage and are happy to work with OSC. They will contact us in September when interested teachers will return to work on the plan. Rick will coordinate a walk through to map the trails and consider other signage. Rick will begin working on the MAP for the kiosk. A committee of teachers and administrators will work out the other content.
Four Corners new sign: The mock-up Rick designed pleases the abutters (the Stimpsons) but they requested we include some bird images, so we are incorporating that into it. The Conservation Commission recommended checking with DCR since some of Four Corners includes their property. We are concerned that DCR will require messaging about the prohibition of dogs; many neighbors routinely walk their dogs here. Karen suggested they post “no dogs” signage at the juncture where their land begins so people can turn around there. Goodnow Park update: Susan walked it with Jen Hilton and they are able to locate the frisbee golf buckets and Susan is expecting to discuss with Scott Morris. Our consensus within the OSC is that Goodnow Park can have multiple uses without issue, so have no objection to resurrecting the frisbee golf course if that is what seems popular. Susan and Deb are the leads on this.
Website format and hikes documentation: Rick will continue with the work begun by Cary as far as content for hikes. We should think about how to structure the website better. Phil O’Brien has agreed to assist with this and Susan is also willing although her experience is limited. There is only a little more work to be done here. Since the Town recently updated the entire website we are not concerned that our new modifications will be altered anytime soon.
Landowner subcommittee? We understand that there will be different levels of permissions from each landowner regarding trails on their properties. Each will allow some things but not others, which is why we wanted to begin with basics (hiking, birding) and expand as we can from there over time. Rick will get this group back together to discuss approaches.
OS&RP reviewing: Briefly, we will check on our progress related to it quarterly, with the next time being during out September meeting. We will reduce the agenda to accommodate it.
TAP updates: Calamint Hill Conservation Area still has to have a wetlands expert present while we replicate wetlands at our bridge areas. ConCom is assisting in a search for a suitable and willing expert. We’ve covered Goodnow Park and Cobb Brook trails. Regarding Red Fox Farm, we didn’t get our Notice of Intent (NOI) submitted in time to the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) through the Walcott’s property. The DEP did give us a NOI number and have reviewed it so we can now continue with the process. The water certification process is next and we appreciate Marie Auger’s expert assistance on this. Parking is still an issue for this trail system. Rick will send out a map of the area to us in case anyone can come up with a solution. There is a new parcel for sale (the Cusinello property in the southern end of town) and DCR, the PLT and several abutters are in the process of purchasing it. Hiking trails are to be approved there.
Princeton Hikes! program continues to be a success and something Rick enjoys. To date Rick has kept the hikes within Princeton boundaries but will expand to the Barre Falls Dam and the Clinton tunnel in September. Karen will add some cranberry walks at Wachusett Reservoir as well in the fall. Susan has been participating and helpful with co-leading as needed. Deb has also led some hikes this season.
Next meeting: Tuesday, August 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Annex. Meeting adjourned 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Rossow