HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - OS - 02/21/2019 OSRC Meeting
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Call to order at 6:37 p.m.
Members Present: Peter Pescatore,Tom Callahan, Katie Holden, Dustyn Mascia,Jeff Hartwell, Sue
Cunningham,
Guests: Phil Lehr
Approval of the OSRC Meeting minutes of 01/15/19. Moved Katie Holden. Seconded:Jeff Hartwell
There were no changes or discussion. Approved 5-0 with one abstention (Sue).
Sue Cunningham is a new OSRC member.
Grant Committee Update: Deirdre Riley and Katie Holden went to CPC to discuss funding for handicap
access and other improvements to Wheelwright Park. The CPC was somewhat hesitant,feeling the
location would be difficult to outfit due to terrain. One member of the CPC recommended Ingram Park.
CPC would like additional information including estimate of funding needed before considering
allocation. OSRC will discuss again at next meeting.
By-law committee has not met yet.
Harbor committee ( Peter reporting for Richard K.). Most of engineering for boat ramp at Parker Ave
has been done. Still some issues remain. Peter went to Planning Board meeting recently where harbor
was also discussed.This group is talking about usage of harbor area. Residential usage is on the table.
Discussing change to bylaws so residential use could be a possibility in harbor area. On 2-20, Planning
Board recommended an overlay district (harbor hotel plus small shop area across from hotel). Hearing
on 3/13 to discuss and see if they can approve for town meeting in April. Town has some interest in this
related to desired walkways around harbor area. Part of goals of OSRC is to promote access to the
harbor.
Trail Project: Tom created proposal for Wheelwright Park Trail System Naming and Signage Needs.
Would allow for some naming of trails after Family/individual names but would try to avoid that.
Whitney has improved signage. Wampatuck has done the same. Map Tom started with is an Eagle Scout
trail map. Holly Hill has labelled all their trails. 7 connections to Holly Hill System. Kiosk at parking area
on north main has additional trail names beyond what is on map. Map is on Cohasset Conservation
Trust.org website. Rich Silvia likely created many of trail names in 2002/03 through conservation trust.
Two signage projects have been done by boy scouts and only for features not trails. Trail signs will have
to reflect areas of private property. Could put brief history of areas on trail signs. Sign maintenance will
be accomplished by allocating budget every year. Janice from Holly Hill would like to coordinate the trail
naming work with what Holly Hill has worked on. Katie will ask Jason to printout abetter map so we
can write on it. Two high school students are right now mapping Holly Hill digitally. They have already
done Great Brewster. They are going to work on Wheelwright after Holly Hill. Open Space app has been
created. Discussed whether Heather drive access would be possible. Group didn't think this is
appropriate. Also, Heather drive may be private way which could complicate. Phil mentioned that he
has concern over length of some of trail names. Wooden signs would be difficult for some of these
names. Phil Lehr will continue to consult on this topic. Phil to review Tom's initial draft. Wooden signs
like Holly Hill should be the goal. Katie will work with Jason to print a map that has Holly Hill and
Wheelwright. Phil asked if there is a way to get funding for trail improvement inside the park. There
are 3 or 4 places where access is difficult for emergency reasons. Need stone dust, other improvement.
OSRC will continue discussions on this topic at next meeting.
Organic turf and herbicide: Keep on the agenda for follow up at next meeting.
Earth Day: Earth Day committee has met twice. March 24th 1-4,the Earth Day Committee will have
table at the Recreation Fair. Open Space also has a table. Next meeting is February 26th. A
subcommittee is doing sponsorship. Peter is doing Earth Day education. Has three events booked.
Species loss is theme and Peter is looking for someone to speak to this. Katie will pass along some
names of potential speakers. April 27th is clean up day. Looking for sites to clean up. Sue would like to
see more high school student involvement. Looking to integrate high school more in earth day efforts.
Two high school kids have been participating in Earth Day planning activities.
Health and Rec Fair: Open Space will have a table. Peter will be at the OSRC table. Need trail maps in
quantity to distribute to people. Need wheelwright and Great Brewster maps for talking points. Bring
Open Space Plan. No Funds for banner in all likelihood. Rec department will print maps out. Katie has
Brewster woods maps. Peter will coordinate Wheelwright maps. Dustyn will work on OSRC graphic for
table banner at Rec Fair.
Esposito Property: Open Space is concerned with getting a conservation lien on the property. Town
Manager called a meeting about conservation restriction on property. However, meeting turned out to
be about potential for fire department need for new building. Significant restrictions on Esposito
property. Town Manager proposed swap for other land the that is owned by land trust that has upland
potential. Land trust will flag property to see what potential is for building. Discussion is about land
swap.
Proposed Town Land Swap: Beach Street. Owner wants to swap a large parcel behind town hall for two
small lots on beach street. Citizens petition being developed to put a conservation lien on two
properties to block this land swap. This is on agenda for next board of selectman's meeting. This
committee can vote to support the citizens petition. On next agenda will be voting on two citizens
petitions. Could potentially show support on Town Warrant. Peter will have to talk with town manager
about this.
Master Plan Draft: Peter gave feedback to Master Plan group in January. Peter recommended
footnotes to point people toward OSRP plan/website wherever the OSRP summary exists on Master
Plan. Some revisions provided to Master Plan group to properly reflect scope of OSRC efforts.
250th Celebration Committee: Peter and Eric are representing OSRC on this effort.
Newsletter for OSRC: Changing of the seasons message from OSRC piggybacking on Rec
Committee newsletter. Future topic. Keep on the agenda. Jeff to find out schedule for Rec
newsletter.
ADA: grant committee working on this.
Need to develop mechanism to update OSRC Action Plan and create a
Other Business:
Tom brought up that two members of Conservation Commission have asked about taking Citizens
Petition about land alteration and adopting that for ConCom.
A motion to adjourn was made by Dustyn Seconded by Tom. Motion was approved 6-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46
Respectfully submitted
Jeff Hartwell