Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts

Ms. Michelle Perry of 75 Hopkinson Street attended the meeting to voice her concerns about the current use of NRC Parkland adjacent to the High School on a path between Smith Street and Seaver Street. Mr. Seaborn stated that approximately two years ago, the NRC, the Police Department, and the High School worked together to create a sitting area for High School students to use prior to school and after school. She stated that over the course of the last couple of months, her two children who use the path have been approached in an inappropriate way by High School students, who make them feel uncomfortable on the path. Ms. Perry discussed with the NRC her concerns that this sitting area is not an appropriate area as it is currently being used by High School students, since there is no adult monitoring of the area to encourage proper behavior. Ms. Perry stated that in addition, the site is not being properly maintained and is being littered with garbage and cigarette butts and that she often has to clean up the area. Ms. Perry stated that she has talked to the School Department and the Police Department about this concern and that she is now before the NRC to voice her concern. She stated that often there are large numbers of students in this area, especially on Friday afternoons, and they are quite loud and this causes a deterrent for any residents, and especially for younger children, to use the path from the High School to Seaver Street. She stated that currently she will not allow her children to use the path due to safety concerns, and she feels that no one is taking responsibility for overseeing the High School students in this area.

Mr. Seaborn provided some background history on this area and that approximately 2 years ago he worked with Brian Spencer from the Police Department and Assistant Principal Jamie Chisum to work with High School students to create this sitting area as an alternative to a previous sitting area that the students had created along the Caroline Brook Path near the bridge crossing, which was a vulnerable and sensitive ecological area. Mr. Seaborn stated that at that time there was a commitment from Mr. Chisum to provide oversight of the students in this area to ensure that it was being properly used. Ms. Bowser stated that she received a recent call from Brian Spencer and referred him to Mr. Seaborn for further consultation. Mr. Seaborn stated that he will contact Mr. Spencer to further discuss Ms. Perry’s concerns at this location. The NRC thanked Ms. Perry for attending the meeting and for bringing this concern to their attention, and they will follow-up to ensure that this area is being used and maintained properly.

The NRC discussed with Ms. Kathy Macdonald, the NRC’s Advisory Committee Liaison, a number of revisions to the NRC’s FY09 Operating & Capital Budget Request as requested by the Advisory Committee. After some discussion, the NRC concluded that they will return $402.90 from the Reeds Ponds Capital Project, and $560.33 from the Ouellet Park Improvement Project, since both these projects are complete. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to return a total of $963.23 to the General Fund from unspent completed capital projects at Reeds Pond and Ouellet Park.

The NRC reviewed with Ms. Macdonald, the Advisory Committee’s recommendation for further reductions. After further discussion, the NRC concluded that they would like to continue to request $25,000 for their Tree Planting Program, reduced from the $30,000 originally requested. In addition, the NRC stated that they would like to retain their request for $10,000 for the Fuller Brook Park Restoration Project, which is 80 percent completed, but additional work is needed to complete the plan, including finalizing the cost estimates and financial projections as well as the design and construction plans, so that the proposal will be ready to go to Town Meeting in FY10. The NRC confirmed that this project is a priority and they feel that the poor condition of the Fuller Brook Park is the result of long-term neglect and poses a liability to the Town due to poor drainage, poor path conditions, and tree root problems. The NRC respectively requested that the $10,00 for this project be retained. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted to revise their FY09 Capital Budget request from $57,000 to $35, 000, which will include $25,000 for the Tree Planting Program and $10,000 for the Fuller Brook Park Restoration Master Plan, and deferring requests for Trail Improvements, sidewalk repairs, and encroachment boundaries.

With regard to retaining unspent capital funds, the NRC discussed this matter and concluded that they will retain the balance of $4,200 in the Fuller Brook Master Plan Project, in order to move forward at the FY10 Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Bowser gave Ms. Macdonald a copy of the current draft Fuller Brook Master Plan to discuss with Advisory at their meeting on February 13, 2008. The NRC also concluded that they will retain $33,014.30 to fund the Town Hall Entrance Safety Improvement Plan, which will be completed by the DPW. Mr. Seaborn stated that this is the final phase of the Duck Pond Project, for which the Town received a Federal grant to complete the first phase, which included the dredging, and restoration project. This project involves making safety improvements to the sidewalks at the entrance of Town Hall near the Duck Pond, where currently children and parents with strollers have to walk into the Town Hall Entrance drive, because no sidewalk is provided. This project will allow for safe sidewalk entrances from Rt. 16 and for additional needed parking, as well as for new resurfacing of the sidewalks near the Duck Pond area, which have become deteriorated due to erosion from weather and salt applications. Ms. Bowser stated that the NRC has received the Wetlands Order of Conditions Permit for this project and has discussed implementation of this work with the DPW that implementation should begin by the spring or summer of 2008. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 3-0 to retain $38,177.23 in unspent capital funds, including $4,200 for the Fuller Brook Restoration Master Plan and $33,014.33 for the Town Hall Entrance Safety Improvement Project.

With regard to the Morses Pond Management Project, the Advisory Committee requested a reduction of $70,000 in light of the Town’s financial situation. Ms. Bowser stated that she had distributed this request to all Morses Pond Management Committee Members, which includes members of the NRC, the Recreation Commission, and the DPW, and their respective Department Heads and that there was a general consensus that the budget could be reduced by $70,000 and the remaining item for cash capital was $50,000 for limited impact development permitting and other support. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 3-0 to amend the Morses Pond Capital FY09 Capital Request as reviewed by the Morses Pond Management Committee to request $50,000 for limited impact development, design, permitting and other support and to defer the other capital requests. Advisory did not request any reduction in the Morses Pond FY09 Operating Budget request for $160,370.

The NRC discussed the Advisory Committee’s request to reduce its operating FY09 Budget by $4,000, which was the fund to hire an intern for the year to work on NRC projects and assist with environmental resources issues. The NRC stated that in light of the Town’s current financial situation, that they would be willing to reduce this amount, even though they feel it is well justified. A motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 3-0 to reduce its FY09 Budget by $4,000, by removing the line item for an intern.

Mr. Seaborn stated that he and Ms. Bowser attended the most recent Town Development Review Team (“TDRT”) meeting on February 6, 2008 to discuss with the Selectmen a revised proposal for use of the Selectmen’s right-of-way and adjacent to 27 Washington Street. Mr. Seaborn stated that the revised plan proposes to protect the existing open space from the river to approximately 300-feet down the right-of-way toward Washington Street. The proposed revised plan, prepared for the Selectmen by National Development shows additional parking along the right-of-way, with 22-angled parking spaces laid out in a one-way entrance pattern, with an exit onto the 27 Washington Street property through their parking lot and back onto Washington Street. Mr. Seaborn stated that the proposal is an effort by the Selectmen to compromise on the need for some additional parking in this area and the need to preserve as much of the open space as possible on the right-of-way. After extensive discussion, there was a consensus on the part of the NRC that the plan appeared to be a good compromise, although Ms. Gross continued to have concerns that additional open space should be provided in order to maximize the green vista from Washington Street down to the Charles River. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 3-0 to conceptually accept the plan proposed by the Board of Selectmen conditioned upon the Selectmen granting to the NRC either a conservation restriction protecting the open space or a jurisdictional transfer of the land to the NRC as parkland.

Mr. Seaborn, Ms. Gross and Ms. Bowser will attend the next 27 Washington Street TDRT Meeting to further outline the NRC’s concerns and requests for improved landscaping and paths over the right-of-way leading to the 27 Washington Street property. The NRC further discussed possible improvements that could be made in this area and the Commission will continue this discussion as the project evolves.

As previously discussed by the NRC, the Naming of Public Assets Town Bylaw Committee has drafted a proposed Bylaw governing the naming of public assets and gift acceptance. Ms. Gross is the NRC’s representative on the Committee and she outlined for the NRC the proposed Bylaw that will be presented at this year’s Town Meeting. The NRC reviewed the language and also the draft Advisory Committee Report on the Bylaw and it was the sense of the NRC that the proposed Bylaw is general enough to allow the NRC to continue to implement its longstanding memorial and gift policy and acceptance procedure but provides enough oversight by Town Meeting to ensure consistency in the naming of public assets. After further discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the NRC voted 3-0 to approve the proposed Naming of Public Assets Town Bylaw.

Ms. Bowser stated that she has been in touch with DPW Assistant Superintendent of Parks and Trees Mike Quinn concerning the Town’s 2008 Winter Moth Control Plan and that he will be submitting a plan similar to last year’s plan for review and approval by the NRC at an upcoming meeting. Ms. Bowser also discussed with Mr. Quinn the re-airing of the cable program on the NRC’s Winter Moth Control Program from last spring, and Mr. Quinn will contact the cable program.

Ms. Bowser stated that the potential fine for damage to a public shade tree at 4 Great Plain Avenue has not been issued, as she been unable to contact the current owner and the property is currently on the market. Because the original owner stated that the DPW caused the damage and the DPW stated that the owner caused the damage, the NRC concluded that it is not worth the Department’s time and resources to pursue fines related to damage to this small tree.

Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a letter from Ms. Cricket Vlass, DPW Landscape Planner, regarding recommendations for bench installations along the Fuller Brook Path. Ms. Bowser stated that the NRC is often contacted with inquiries regarding bench donations, and this listing will be helpful to identify areas for potential bench installations. Ms. Bowser stated that approximately 14 new benches are identified for possible location. Ms. Gaughan voiced some concern that a number of benches are backless and she is concerned about their appearance on the park. Ms. Gross stated that backless benches allow for a more attractive view and are less intrusive in certain areas, and she stated that the NRC should accept the recommendations. It was the sense of the NRC to adopt the Fuller Brook Park Bench Location Recommendations by Ms. Vlass.

Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC her memo outlining the applications that have been received from prospective new members of the WPC. Ms Bowser stated that after a discussion with Ms. Gross and WPC Chair, Ms. Mary Jane O’Donnell, it was agreed that prospective members will be interviewed at the WPC meeting scheduled for February 21^st and NRC members are encouraged to also attend. The WPC will then make a recommendation for appointment by the NRC, and the NRC will formally review and discuss the recommendations and make final appointments.

Ms. Gross stated that she has recently become concerned about a lack of accountability, coordination, and formal communication between the NRC and its subcommittees including the Trails Committee. She stated that on the 27 Washington Street Project, where the NRC has been working with the Selectmen to resolve the land use of the right-of-way, a member of the Trails Committee has failed to appropriately coordinate and communicate with the NRC on this project. Ms. Gross stated that she would like to see a more formal NRC policy developed to ensure that its subcommittees are appropriately communicating and coordinating their actions with the NRC. The NRC will further discuss the matter at a future meeting.