Approved 6/10/08
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Heidi Gross, Chairman, Joan Gaughan, Secretary, Neal Seaborn, Richard Bashian, Janet Bowser, NRC Director, Paul Cramer, Vice-Chairman (joining meeting by conference call for the first 45 minutes of the meeting).
Guests: Carlos Gimeno, Wetlands Protection Committee Member, Debra Takacs, Wetlands Protection Committee Associate Member, Ted Takacs, 26 Rice Street.
Public Voice
No one at the meeting spoke at Public Voice.
Discussion with the Wetlands Protection Committee’s New Members Carlos Gimeno and Debra Takacs Regarding the Organizational Structure of the NRC and its Wetlands Protection Committee
The NRC discussed with new WPC Members Mr. Gimeno and Ms. Takacs the NRC organizational structure and how the NRC works with its WPC subcommittee. The NRC thanked both members for volunteering to serve on the WPC and they stated that they look forward to working with them. Mr. Gimeno submitted for the NRC’s review and approval a disclosure form for a potential conflict of interest for an upcoming Wetlands Notice of Intent application since he lives near the location of a stream that is in the resource area for the Notice of Intent. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to approve the disclosure form and it was the sense of the NRC that there was no conflict of interest.
Discussion Regarding Permitting Issues for Wellesley Celebrations Committee Concert and Fireworks Event On Hunnewell Field Athletic Complex on May 18, 2008
The NRC continued its discussion from its pervious meeting regarding the permitting for this concert and fireworks event planed for May 18th by the Wellesley Celebrations Committee on the Hunnewell Athletics Field. The NRC confirmation from the Board of Selectmen that adequate insurance and an escrow account has been secured by the event donor needs to cover any field damage. The NRC concluded that until this condition is met, the permit will not be issued. Ms. Bowser will keep the NRC informed as to the status of the insurance and escrow issue. The NRC discussed in detail a number of conditions that they may impose on this permit.
Review and Approval of the NRC and DPW Tree Planting Program for 2008
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the Commission a memorandum dated March 25, 2008 from Mr. Mike Quinn, Assistant Superintendent of the Parks and Trees Division of the DPW. Mr. Quinn’s memo indicated that the DPW is planning to plant a total of 71 trees under the program this year, and that 18 of these trees will be planted on Town land, with the remainder being planted as street trees under the provision of M.G.L. Chapter 87, Sec. 7. Mr. Quinn indicated that he has sent out 65 tree planting letters in response to the back-of-sidewalk tree planting requests, and that he plans to have the majority of site inspections completed as soon as possible. He stated that the DPW will continue to utilize the gator watering bags in order to provide adequate watering for the new trees. Attached to Mr. Quinn’s memo was
the 2008 Tree Planting List and Maps with the specific locations for all 71 trees to be planted under the program. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to approve the FY 2008 Tree Planting Plan Program, as outlined by Mr. Quinn, in his Memorandum dated March 25, 2008.
Director’s Report
Discussion of the Tree City USA Event Co-Sponsored by the NRC
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC the Tree City USA Event schedule, which is being held on May 1st at 9 AM at the DCR’s Elm Bank Reservation, and the NRC is a co-sponsor of this event at which Wellesley will receive the first in the State 25-Year Tree City USA Award. Ms. Gross and Mr. Seaborn are working on a presentation to be made at the program that will highlight Wellesley's Tree Program and Mr. Quinn will also make a presentation at the event.
Update on Morses Pond Phosphorus Inactivation Unit and Contract
Ms. Bowser stated that the contract for this project has been awarded and will be signed shortly by the DPW. She stated that she is working with Dr. Ken Wagner, the NRC’s Pond Manager, in developing the Wetlands Notice of Intent application for this project, which should be filed shortly, and the goal is to have the unit operational by early summer.
Update on the Status of High School Parking Needs Subcommittee Work
Ms. Bowser and Ms. Gross updated the NRC on this Subcommittee’s work involving the evaluation of parking alternatives while the High School is under construction.
Preparation for NRC’s Vernal Pool Workshop on Saturday, May 3rd at 10 AM
Ms. Bowser stated that she is organizing this workshop and that she has been working to publicize this annual NRC event through the schools, town organizations and the press.
Preparation for the NRC Organic Lawn Care Program on May 7th at 7:30 PM
Ms. Bowser stated that she is working with Jackson Madnick, a water quality and organic land care specialist in developing and publicizing this program, which was also conducted in the fall.
Preparation for the May 1st Wellesley Conservation Council Program Co-Sponsored by the NRC on Protecting Wellesley’s Water Resources
Ms. Bowser stated that she is working with the Wellesley Conservation Council in organizing this program, and that Mr. Seaborn and a speaker from the Charles River Watershed will make a presentation regarding protecting the Town’s water resources. After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4-0 to approve a donation of $100 from the NRC Gift Fund toward the sponsorship of this program.
Update on Brown Park Playground Improvement Project
Ms. Bowser stated that the order has been placed for this playground project and the installation is planned for June 2008.
Update on 2008 Winter Moth Control Program
Ms. Bowser stated that the DPW is currently implementing the 2008 Winter Moth Control Program, as approved by the NRC.
Liaison Reports/Continued Business/New Business
Update on Playing Fields Task Force Recommendation for the Development of a Hunnewell Field Master Plan for the NRC
Mr. Bashian and Ms. Bowser attended the most recent meeting of the Playing Fields Task Force and reported that the Task Force would like to see the NRC move forward with the updating of the original Geller Report on the Hunnewell Field Master Plan. The NRC stated that this will be a substantial undertaking and they will discuss this further at a future meeting. Mr. Bashian stated that the Task Force would like to see the NRC develop a Master Plan for Hunnewell Athletic Field Complex using the Sprague Field Task Force as a model.
Review /Approval of NRC Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2008, March 21, 2008, and March 31, 2008
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to approve the NRC Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2008, March 21, 2008, and March 31, 2008 as written.
Next NRC Scheduled Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for May 13, 2008, at 7:30 PM in the NRC Office.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 4 – 0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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