Open Space Committee
Open Space Committee Minutes July 21, 2020
Present: Rick Gardner, Karen Rossow, Cary LeBlanc, Deb Cary, Kelton Burbank
Alternate: Susan Downing
Absent:
Meeting began at 7:05 pm on Goto Meeting.
Minutes of June 9 and June 18 meetings were approved.
Open Space and Recreation Plan:
We have received feedback from Melissa Cryan and requests for several more pieces of information. These have bene drafted by Rick, Deb, and Karen and Rick will send them out for review.
We will vote on re-submission at the next meeting.
TAPTrail Strategy
We will begin to assemble a team of people to work on this. Deb,Cary, Kelton, Rick, and Susan will join from OSC. We will seek volunteers from P+R (Kelton?), ConCom, Trail Stewards, Nimrod/Norco, Highway Dept or Roads Committee, MA Audubon, and Senior Center. Also will add some at-large citizens if interested.
We briefly reviewed the Groton Trail Vision and (from the WPI Strategy document) Paul Funch’s suggestions about steps. We will discuss the format further at next meeting.
We want to do this in parallel with continued TAP work, and we do not want to huge and time-0expensive document. Just a practical guide.
TAP Segments
Rick reviewed a PPT that had been sent out showing some of the connections that are being worked through. Active work is being done on the Sam Cobb to Ball Hill Road section, the Red Fox Farm section, and the approach to Boylston Park from the north.
Other Projects/Activities
Trail Map: Rick will plan to set up a new Princeton Trail Map by next meeting.
Princeton Hike on July 11 was a success. A few suggestions were received for improved COVID protocols. Next hike is planned for this coming Saturday at Wachusett Reservoir (north side of the causeway). Susan volunteered to help Rick. Rick will then begin planning in two month increments, as before.
Calamint Hill Conservation Area
New benches are done. Susan reports that the look great. Thanks to Phil O’Brien!
First bridge has been placed but needs to be adjusted before we move to the second bridge.
Phil O’Brien is working on the Kiosk.
Boylston Park trails have been marked. Need some clearing out.
Next meeting we should start to firm up plans for trail summit, perhaps with a presentation on available maps, for this winter.
Next meeting: Meet on August 11th with the intention of approving the updated OSRP.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Summary of outstanding to-do items:
Rick: Send out list of responses to Melissa questions along with the updated OSRP
All: Review the OSRP information and funnel comments back to the team.
Rick: Develop a team for Trail Planning project
Rick: Follow up on TAP segment plans
Rick: Develop Interactive Trail Map for PUBLIC trails only.
From last meeting:
Deb is going to focus on trying to figure out the Bullock Lane to TPS link, perhaps going through Clearings and across Route 62?
Cary is going to work on the link between the center of town and Allen Hill Road, including work needed in Goodnow Park.
Rick is working with the new landowner (Walcotts) on the Red Fox link from Worcester Road to PLT Red Fox property.
Follow up with Nimrod Club: Per WPI recommendation, Rick will follow up with Chris Craig.
Respectfully submitted, Rick Gardner