Open Space Committee
Open Space Committee minutes from Tuesday, October 13, 2021
Present: Rick Gardner, Deb Cary, Susan Downing, Karen Rossow
Meeting began at 7:03 p.m.
Minutes from last meeting unanimously approved.
Scott Morris unable to attend due to link issues. Susan will invite him to next meeting.
Vision and Action Plan
Trail network development: Rick is working on a list of all know trail connections. Progress made on Red Fox Farm (RFF) trail development with owner, Sam Wolcott. We must have water quality certification approved prior to building two necessary bridges on the property.
We collectively reviewed several concepts for trail connection between Calamint Hill Conservation Area (CHCA) and Brooks Station Road with a map Rick provided. Rick is doing the groundwork (literally, hiking the area) on this.
Regarding bicycling routes, we are tabling that for the time being.
Regarding Goodnow Park, OS&R must have input from the Historic Commission and the Selectboard before initiating any alterations to the area.
Jay Fitzgerald is arranging a meeting with Rick and Nimrod Club representatives as they could approve a connection from RFF to Coal Kiln Road.
Signage: All kiosk construction completed thanks to Phil O’Brien and Joe DiFranza! Still need some signs printed and delivered. Gregory-Alexander on Prospect St. ready for printer. Four Corners near completion. Russell Corner small kiosk coming soon. Directional signs ready but Deb will cross-check with a walk through. Good signage is important! Thomas Prince School (TPS) signage progressing slowly due to mix of groups working on it. Six Cobb Brook directional signs still have to be printed and delivered. Deb and Phil O’Brien will follow up.
Website documentation: Susan continues with work on this. Wasn’t able to open Cary’s Word document so Rick has offered a solution to enable her to do so. She also wants elevation data which Rick will provide. Susan will continue to sift through and simplify information and will consult with Rick on anything redundant or confusing. Additionally, Rick intends to arrange a meeting of the trail vision documentation team (including himself, Phil O’Brien and Patrick McGowan) to gain their input on both the website re-design and the trail documentation refreshing effort by Susan.
Reformatting the website: Rick is making progress on this. It’s looking good.
Trail summit: Date set: Sunday, February 6th, 2022 in the Town Hall Annex at 2:00 p.m. Program to include presenting our trail vision, information on available electronic mapping systems (such as OLIVER, AllTrails, Mass Audubon) and enlist volunteers to help trail stewards, OSC, etc. The last portion of the event will be a Q&A session.
Princeton Hikes! is going strong.
Next meeting to be held in the town hall annex on Tuesday, November 9th at 7:00 with Scott scheduled for 7:30 if he can attend. Meeting adjourned 8:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen