HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - OS - 05/14/2019 (2) OSRC Meeting
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Call to order at 6:30 p.m.
Members Present: Peter Pescatore,Tom Callahan, Katie Holden,Jeff Hartwell, Sue Cunningham Dustyn
Mascia, Deirdre Riley
Guests: Bob Egan (ADA) and Debbie Shad (President of Cohasset Conservation Land Trust)
Approval of the OSRC Meeting minutes of 04/09/19. Moved Tom Callahan. Seconded: Dustyn Mascia .
There were no changes or discussion. Approved 5-0 with two abstentions.
Cohasset ADA: Bob Egan, AAB (State architectural access board) are state regulations for ADA issues.
Bob gave overview on status of ADA compliance of schools and town buildings as well as other recent
public building efforts. New building has to comply with both AAB and ADA. Twice we have upgraded
playgrounds recently for ADA compliance. Some of this work was remedial as work wasn't done
correctly initially. Previously, engineered wood chips were considered ADA compliant. Poured in place
rubber is new standard. Is there a state resource that can help OSRC with specific regulations? State
Director recently passed away and replacement is TBD.
Dee spoke with Audubon society about regulations for parks. Grade cannot be greater than 8%.
We used to have a town committee that focused on-issues related to handicap access, but this
committee is no longer active.
Scenic road signs are coming soon.
Shade Tree replacement plan: Peter spoke to Peter Senior and there is a $40,000 budget per year for
tree removal. Katie spoke to Tree Warden and usually the budget is expended by end of calendar year
and town needs to go into emergency fund. Several South Shore towns do Tree City USA grants to aid
with tree work.
Katie and Sue met with the Cohasset Tree Warden. There is no specific plan/policy for tree removal
strategy. This is possibly something that OSRC should look into. No policy to replace. We need a tree
plan ordinance in order to qualify for grants. Tree Warden tried to do Tree City USA several years ago
but did not have support at the time. We will try to get Tree Warden to future meeting. Katie has some
plans from other towns. Tom has Lexington tree by-law. Scenic Road by-law contains language based
on Lexington policies.
Deb will talk with Garden Club of Cohasset to ask support for our efforts to address tree remediation
plan.
Grant Committee Update: Several grants we have explored require a non-profit organization (501c3).
If we are looking to partner with Holly Hill for trail, we could potentially submit through Holly Hill. Grant
subcommittee will contact Holly Hill representatives to discuss if this approach is possible.
Dee researched endangered species grant and group discussed if work on this front has occurred in
Cohasset in past. We can submit a proposal to BOS and town manager if we believe an action in
endangered species is warranted. Possibly funded for this research out of free cash in the fall.
Dee also inquired about interest in grants to remove mustard/garlic weed.
By-law committee: Tom will circulate Lexington tree by-law before next meeting.
Group discussed previous citizens petition regarding land alteration. ConCom has no jurisdiction to talk
on something like previous Citizens Petition by-law. Tom would like to start process with planning
board to revive land alteration by-law submitted by citizens group a few years ago. Existing earth
removal by-law is very limited.
By-law subcommittee also is working on single use plastic product reduction bylaw based somewhat on
Brookline ordinance. Tom has draft which was distributed to OSRC. Bylaw draft expands existing
shopping bag restriction to include food storage containers and plastic food utensils. Recent Earth Day
cleanup indicated that much of plastic trash falls into these above categories.
Harbor committee: At last meeting, Harbor Planning Group announced that final hearing is approaching
soon. Last public hearing for Harbor Plan.Tim Davis, chair of harbor planning committee sent out an
email seeking to have people join subcommittees to implement Governance, security and public safety,
commercial fishing infrastructure, ecology and env. Peter will circulate materials to OSRC.
Trail Project: Tom sat down with Phil Lehr and reviewed signs proposals and maintenance needs. They
added a couple of trails with names. Phil said most of trails are in good shape including most of paths
into Holly Hill. A few low spots on main trail. In terms of funding needs, we need funding for materials
for signs (hopefully boy scouts will provide labor). Possibly eagle scout project would pay for materials
for signs. Phil estimates we need 60-80 yards of stone dust for trails. DPW has done work very
recently on access road from North Main Street. Paving would solve maintenance issues but neighbors
may not be in favor of paving. Possibly two culverts would need to be replaced with concrete culverts.
We will need a new map created. Tom thinks we are at point to go to BOS with this plan. May 281h is
BOS meeting and OSRP will have a slot to review Wheelwright trail plans.
Katie is meeting with high school students later this month to discuss plans to move forward with digital
mapping of great Brewster and Holly Hill. May 281h at 3:00.
OSRP plan: Plan was approved however ability to receive grants is restricted pending answers to several
questions. Group discussed questions returned by state and dispositioned questions for responses.
Peter will follow up with Beals and Thomas on a couple of these questions for which we may need
additional funding. Other questions we should be able to update as committee. Katie will take Historic
Society question about 191h century history. This will be on all future agendas until this is complete.
Organic turf and herbicide: No updates.
Earth Day: April 271h. Great success. Fund raising paid for dumpsters at reduced rate from Graham
Waste. Filled two dumpsters. Close to 200 people involved. Fund raising from sponsors raised close to
$3500 and close to $3000 was spent on Earth Day cleanup. Another event will be held in Fall and we
will look to have this Earth Day cleanup activity an annual activity. Will form fund raising committee
next year.
Health and Rec Fair: OSRC and Earth Day tables at Rec fair were well attended. Peter and Tom have
received several follow up emails from families interested in Earth Day or OSRC activities.
Proposed Town Land Swap: Land Disposition process was created. Citizens petition was dropped.
Master Plan Draft: No updates on this topic. OSRC changes were incorporated into plan.
Planned budget for OSRC committee: Peter spoke with Town Manager Chris Senior and OSRC will
receive some funding for activities of the committee like trail project.
250th Celebration Committee: Peter provided brief updates. Sub-committee formation is in process.
Peter will share information to get involved in
Changing of the Seasons messaging: tabled for another meeting.
A motion to adjourn was made by Tom. Seconded by Deirdre. Motion was approved 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Next meeting is 6/11.
Respectfully submitted
Jeff Hartwell