HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 Open Space and Recreation Plan01
2010 - 2016
Cohasset Open Space &
Recreation Plan
Presented to:
Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee
Town of Cohasset
41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset, Massachusetts
Presented by:
Beals and Thomas, Inc.
32 Court Street
Plymouth, Massachusetts
www.btiweb.com
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................ I
CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... IV
1.0 PLAN SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 REPORT BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................ 1-1
1.2 REPORT ORGANIZATION .............................................................................................................................. 1-1
2.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 2-1
2.1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................. 2-1
2.1.1 Former Open Space and Recreation Planning Efforts ...................................................................... 2-1
2.1.2 2002 – 2006 Open Space and Recreation Plan Action Items ............................................................ 2-2
2.2 PLANNING PROCESS AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ........................................................................................ 2-2
3.0 COMMUNITY SETTING ........................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1 REGIONAL CONTEXT .................................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY ..................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.3 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION HISTORY .................................................................................................... 3-2
3.4 POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS .................................................................................................................. 3-4
3.4.1 Population Trends ............................................................................................................................. 3-4
3.5 HOUSING AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ....................................................................................................... 3-7
3.6 IMPLICATIONS OF POPULATION TRENDS FOR RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE .............................................. 3-9
3.7 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POPULATIONS .................................................................................................... 3-9
3.8 EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYMENT TRENDS ................................................................................................... 3-10
3.8.1 Major Industries .............................................................................................................................. 3-12
3.8.2 Family Income ................................................................................................................................. 3-12
3.9 GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS .................................................................................................. 3-12
3.9.1 Patterns and Trends ......................................................................................................................... 3-12
3.10 INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................................................................. 3-14
3.10.1 Transportation ............................................................................................................................ 3-14
3.10.2 Water Supply Systems ................................................................................................................. 3-15
3.10.3 Sewer Service .............................................................................................................................. 3-16
3.11 LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS ................................................................................................ 3-18
3.11.1 Long-Term Growth Patterns ....................................................................................................... 3-18
3.11.2 Buildout Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 3-19
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY & ANALYSIS ................................................................................. 4-1
4.1 GEOLOGY, SOILS & TOPOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.1 Geology .............................................................................................................................................. 4-1
4.1.2 Soils ................................................................................................................................................... 4-2
4.1.3 Topography ........................................................................................................................................ 4-5
4.2 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ............................................................................................................................. 4-5
4.3 WATER RESOURCES ..................................................................................................................................... 4-6
4.3.1 Watersheds ......................................................................................................................................... 4-6
4.3.2 Surface Waters ................................................................................................................................... 4-6
4.3.3 Water Supply & Aquifer Recharge Areas .......................................................................................... 4-8
4.3.4 Flood Hazard Areas........................................................................................................................... 4-9
4.3.5 Wetlands .......................................................................................................................................... 4-10
4.4 VEGETATION .............................................................................................................................................. 4-11
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Table of Contents ii
4.4.1 General Inventory, ........................................................................................................................... 4-11
4.4.2 Forest Land ...................................................................................................................................... 4-12
4.4.3 Public Shade Trees .......................................................................................................................... 4-13
4.4.4 Agricultural Land ............................................................................................................................ 4-13
4.4.5 Wetland Vegetation .......................................................................................................................... 4-13
4.4.6 Rare Plant Species ........................................................................................................................... 4-14
4.4.7 Unique Natural Resources ............................................................................................................... 4-16
4.4.8 Vegetation Mapping Projects .......................................................................................................... 4-18
4.5 FISHERIES & WILDLIFE .............................................................................................................................. 4-18
4.5.1 General Inventory ............................................................................................................................ 4-18
4.5.2 Vernal Pools .................................................................................................................................... 4-20
4.5.3 Wildlife Migration Corridors ........................................................................................................... 4-21
4.5.4 Rare Animal Species ........................................................................................................................ 4-21
4.6 SCENIC RESOURCES AND UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS .................................................................................... 4-23
4.6.1 Scenic Landscapes ........................................................................................................................... 4-23
4.6.2 Unusual Features ............................................................................................................................. 4-24
4.6.3 Cultural, Archeological, and Historical Areas ................................................................................ 4-25
4.6.4 Unique Environments ...................................................................................................................... 4-26
4.6.5 Cohasset Cemeteries ........................................................................................................................ 4-27
4.7 ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES................................................................................................................. 4-28
4.7.1 Hazardous Waste Sites..................................................................................................................... 4-28
4.7.2 Landfills ........................................................................................................................................... 4-28
4.7.3 Erosion/Sedimentation ..................................................................................................................... 4-29
4.7.4 Chronic Flooding ............................................................................................................................. 4-29
4.7.5 Growth Impacts ............................................................................................................................... 4-29
4.7.6 Ground & Surface Water Pollution ................................................................................................. 4-30
4.7.7 Impaired Water Bodies .................................................................................................................... 4-32
4.7.8 Invasive Species ............................................................................................................................... 4-33
4.7.9 Environmental Equity ...................................................................................................................... 4-35
5.0 INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION & RECREATIONAL INTEREST ........................ 5-1
5.1 TYPES OF OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION LAND PROTECTION ..................................................................... 5-2
5.2 OPEN SPACE INVENTORY ............................................................................................................................. 5-4
6.0 COMMUNITY VISION ............................................................................................................................... 6-1
6.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS ..................................................................................................................... 6-1
6.1.1 Public Outreach Meetings ................................................................................................................. 6-1
6.1.2 Open Space & Recreation Plan Survey ............................................................................................. 6-2
6.2 STATEMENT OF OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION GOALS ............................................................................... 6-6
7.0 ANALYSIS OF NEEDS ............................................................................................................................... 7-1
7.1 SUMMARY OF RESOURCE PROTECTION NEEDS ............................................................................................ 7-1
7.1.1 Water Resources ................................................................................................................................ 7-1
7.1.2 Invasive Species ................................................................................................................................. 7-3
7.1.3 Rare Species....................................................................................................................................... 7-3
7.1.4 Land Resources .................................................................................................................................. 7-3
7.2 SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY NEEDS .............................................................................................................. 7-4
7.3 CONSISTENCY WITH REGIONAL AND STATE OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLANS .................................... 7-4
7.4 MANAGEMENT NEEDS AND POTENTIAL CHANGES OF USE........................................................................... 7-6
8.0 GOALS & OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................ 8-1
8.1 GOALS.......................................................................................................................................................... 8-1
8.2 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................................. 8-2
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Table of Contents iii
9.0 SEVEN-YEAR ACTION PLAN .................................................................................................................. 9-1
10.0 PUBLIC COMMENTS .............................................................................................................................. 10-1
11.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................ 11-1
Appendix A – Public Outreach
Appendix B – Cohasset Buildout Summary Information
Appendix C – Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Information
Appendix D – State and National Designated Historic Sites
Appendix E – DEP Waste Site/Reportable Release Database
Appendix F – ADA Accessibility Study
Figures – Map 1 Regional Context Map
Map 2 Omitted (there are no environmental justice populations in Cohasset)
Map 3 Zoning Map
Map 4 Soils and Geologic Features Map
Map 5 Unique Features Map
Map 6 Water Resources Map
Map 7 Conservation and Recreation Lands
Map 8 Seven Year Action Plan
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Credits and Acknowledgments iv
CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to everyone who participated in the update of Cohasset’s 2006 Open Space and
Recreation Plan. Without the effort of many, this planning effort would not have been possible.
Town of Cohasset, Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee
Sandra T. Durant, Co-Chair
Liam T. O’Connell, Co-Chair
Richard J. Avery, Secretary
James E. Carroll, Jr., Recreation Director
Deborah A. Shadd
Karen M. Quigley, Board of Selectmen, Liaison
Other Participants
Abigail Alves, Cohasset Resident
Fran Burnham, Cohasset Resident
Susan Davis, Cohasset Resident
Dan Martin, Cohasset Resident
George McGoldrick, Cohasset Resident
Patricia Murphy, Cohasset Resident
Patience Towle, Cohasset Resident
Survey Respondents
Consultant
Beals and Thomas, Inc.
32 Court Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-366-0560
Fax: 508-746-6407
www.btiweb.com
John E. Thomas, Project Director
Stacy H. Minihane, Project Manager
Kristen D. Wilson, Senior Planner and GIS Mapping
David A. Johnson, Survey Analysis
Suzanne C. Cunningham, GIS Mapping
Kirk R. Jaskoviak, ADA Compliance Study
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 1.0
Plan Summary
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Plan Summary 1-1
1.0 PLAN SUMMARY
1.1 Report Background
The Town of Cohasset’s 2009 Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) update has been
prepared to serve as a guide to the many committees, boards, commissions and volunteer
groups in the community. This OSRP update final report is the culmination of nearly 10
months of data gathering, public input and research. Similar to the 2002 OSRP, the 2009
OSRP is designed to inform the reader about natural resources, open space, recreational
amenities and other related topics that exist in Cohasset. Mentioned throughout the
OSRP update process by participants were the ideas that 1) existing open space areas
should be made more approachable through dissemination of information relating to
parking and trails; and 2) that many historic connections between open space areas have
been lost, and that research and mapping of existing paths should be undertaken in order
to maintain the existing network. Additionally, maintaining the Town’s character and
ensuring that open space, natural resources and recreation continue to be a focus as the
Town continues to manage its growth is essential to those that live in Cohasset.
The final 2009 OSRP, in addition to serving as a guide for the town, once approved by
the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services (DCS) will allow Cohasset to ap ply
for specific types of grant funding for projects related to open space and recreation.
1.2 Report Organization
The OSRP illustrates the importance of continuing to protect and preserve existing
sensitive environmental areas and also provides an inventory of existing open space and
recreational facilities. Other sections of the OSRP update include a discussion of the
most recent demographic information available (population and housing data), an
environmental inventory and analysis, a needs analysis, and also a discussion of goals
and objectives. Perhaps one of the most significant sections of this report is the seven-
year action plan, which details suggested steps that different boards, commissions and
committees in Cohasset can take to achieve the stated goals and objectives.
Cohasset is a charming community with stunning scenery, valuable open space, and
unique rock outcroppings both on the coast and inland that make it a wonderful place to
live. The overall goal of this entire planning effort has been to provide another tool for
the Town and its residents to use to help better understand the natural assets of the
community and how to improve its open space and recreation in the future while
protecting what currently exists.
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 2.0
Introduction
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Introduction 2-1
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Statement of Purpose
The Town of Cohasset is a unique community with a tremendous diversity of natural
resources, open space, and recreational amenities. It is a strikingly beautiful community
with abundant scenic vistas. A tremendous amount of work has gone into researching the
type of community that Cohasset was historically and how it has progressed. The 2009
Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) update is laid out to highlight the Town’s
history and define how residents can continue to sustain the quality of life they currently
enjoy through continued focus on the natural resources and recreational amenities that
exist or may be needed in the future. The purpose of this OSRP update is to:
Review and update the 2002 Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan with the goal
of identifying what action items have been completed, what work remains, and which
(if any) action items may no longer be applicable. The OSRP update is also meant to
detail local open spaces, natural resources and recreational amenities to help guide the
Town during the next seven years regarding how to best enhance and protect those
resources.
Inventory existing open space and recreational resources and recommend additional
opportunities for acquisition, additional protection, or enhancement through the
addition of specific facilities/amenities.
Inform and educate local residents about their community and existing open space,
natural resources and recreational amenities and why they are important.
Obtain input regarding existing and potential open space and recreation amenities
from Cohasset residents.
Create the momentum needed for the implementing committee to begin
implementation of the key element to the plan, the Action Items detailed in Section
9.0.
The OSRP update has been prepared as a document that will be educational and
informative to those who read it. Overall, it is hoped that this plan will guide public
policy in the areas of open space preservation and recreation facilities and that it will
function as an agenda for the next seven years.
2.1.1 Former Open Space and Recreation Planning Efforts
The Town of Cohasset has published several open space reports. Beginning in
1961, a Long-Range General Plan for Cohasset, often known as the “Benjamin
Report” after its author, Allen Benjamin, was issued but never officially
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Introduction 2-2
implemented. A second open space plan was prepared in 1970 by Henry R.
Hidell Associates, but also was never adopted as Town policy.
In 1996, in order to qualify for state grants, the Town prepared the Open Space
and Recreation Plan (1997–2001). This was the first plan developed under the
guidelines established by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental
Affairs (EOEA). The plan was submitted to and accepted by the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and focused primarily on environmental health, protection of
wildlife habitat, and promoted conservation of and access to open space and
recreational resources.
In June of 2001 a five year update to maintain eligibility for state funding was
completed with the adoption of the 2002-2006 Plan. This plan was prepared by
the Open Space & Recreation Committee with the assistance of various Town
departments. An update of accomplishments since 2002 is outlined in Section
2.1.2 below.
2.1.2 2002 – 2006 Open Space and Recreation Plan Action Items
Since 2002, the Town of Cohasset has made progress in accomplishing a number
of tasks listed in the Section 9 Action Plan of the 2002 OSRP. An update of the
status of each of the objectives outlined in the 2002 OSRP was provided by the
Committee at the February 26, 2009 meeting. Specifically, the Committee noted
whether an action was achieved, not achieved, or partially achieved, and also
whether that action should remain a goal for the present OSRP update (refer to
Appendix A).
2.2 Planning Process and Public Participation
In the late fall of 2008, the Town of Cohasset issued a request for proposals to hire a
consultant to assist the Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee with the
update of the Town’s OSRP. Beals and Thomas, Inc. was selected and began working on
the project in January 2009.
Beals and Thomas, Inc. (BTI) put together a team of qualified professionals that included
a Project Director, Project Manager/Environmental Specialist, Planners, GIS Specialist,
and ADA Accessibility surveyor. In addition to stakeholder meetings and the public
forum, the BTI team met three times with the Open Space and Recreation Plan Update
Committee, which consists of local residents who volunteer their time to serve their
community. The Recreation Director, Ted Carroll, is also part of the Committee.
BTI also conducted a site visit with members of the Committee (specifically, Ted Carroll,
Karen Quigley, and Debbie Shadd) in March 2009 to get a feel for the community and
take photographs of open space, natural resources, playgrounds, water resources, ball
fields, walking trails, scenic view-scapes and other recreational amenities.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Introduction 2-3
Three public outreach meetings were held: two stakeholder meetings and one public
forum. The stakeholder meetings were held on the evening of April 29, 2009 and the
morning of April 30, 2009 (Refer to the meeting notes in Appendix A).
The public forum was held the evening of June 18, 2009 (Refer to the agenda and
PowerPoint presentation in Appendix A). The public forum is summarized in Section 6,
and goals and action items discussed at the forum are incorporated into Section 9.
In addition to the public outreach meetings conducted by BTI specific to the OSRP
update, the Town of Cohasset also held its first annual Recreation Fair on March 22,
2009. The associated flyer is located in Appendix A.
Public outreach for the OSRP update also included an Open Space and Recreation Survey
coordinated by the Town and analyzed by BTI (refer to Appendix A for a copy of the
survey.
The public participation process is discussed further in Section 6. The update of
Cohasset’s OSRP was a collaborative and collective effort. The final OSRP is
interesting, unique to the community of Cohasset and proactive regarding
recommendations, goals, objectives and action items.
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 3.0
Community Setting
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-1
3.0 COMMUNITY SETTING
3.1 Regional Context1
The Town of Cohasset is located in Norfolk County approximately 20 miles south of
Boston. Bounded by the Towns of Hull to the northwest, Hingham to the west, and
Scituate to the south and southeast, Cohasset lies on the coast with the Atlantic Ocean to
the north and northeast. Chief Justice Cushing Highway (Route 3A), the only arterial
road, bisects the Town. Route 228 provides access through Hingham to Route 3, the
major regional highway in the area.
Cohasset is a residential community with little commerce or industry. Because of the
preponderance of both wetlands and rock ledge, development in Cohasset has historically
been limited. The Town’s physical coastal character consists of rocky shores and shoals,
numerous coves, and protected harbors. Features to the north in Hull and to the south in
Scituate shared with the town of Cohasset include Straits Pond, Bassing Beach, the Gulf
River and Rocky Beach. Away from the coast, the Town shares the forests of
Wompatuck State Park, Whitney and Thayer Woods (including portions known as
Turkey Hill and Weir River Farm) and the Aaron River and Lily Pond watersheds with
Hingham and Scituate.
At the time of the writing of this plan, the economy is not as strong as it was five (5)
years ago. The Recreation Department has seen an increase in the number of children
participating in activities during school and summer vacation periods. Additionally,
residents have observed more people using public spaces that are free of charge. As a
result of the economy, more Cohasset residents may be using the amenities of the Town
rather than traveling to other venues.
Refer to Map 1.
3.2 History of the Community2
Cohasset’s history has been shaped by the natural environment. As a Native American
summer camp called Quonahassit (meaning “long, rocky place”), the area was occupied
by a small population when Captain John Smith sailed into the harbor in 1614. Within a
few decades, settlers from Hingham began to harvest hay in Cohasset’s salt marshes and,
by the last quarter of the 17th century, some had begun farming in the area. Cohasset was
incorporated as a separate town a century later, in 1770.
1 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
3, page 8.
2 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
3, page 8-9.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-2
For several decades before 1851, townspeople shared 91 acres of what is now Little
Harbor for cattle grazing, but a storm in that same year brought the ocean over the dunes
into the pasture forcing the Town to create an outlet into the ocean for what quickly
became stagnant seawater. As a result, ocean water flowing in and out of Little Harbor
on the tides created a haven for saltwater fish as well as nesting and migrating shore
birds.
The mid-19th century was a turning point for the Town. Because of increased
competition, the fishing industry declined from a high point in 1850 to virtually nothing
by the 1880s. However, in 1849 the South Shore Railroad arrived in Cohasset,
permanently changing the character of the Town. The railroad was abandoned in 1959.3
However, in 2007 the Greenbush MBTA Commuter Rail opened along the same line and
currently provides service between Greenbush in Scituate and South Station in Boston
with a stop in Cohasset.4
Although Cohasset had attracted summer visitors as early as the 1820s, the railroad made
it easily accessible by a greater number of visitors. Hotels and boarding houses sprang
up, followed by private summer cottages. While year-round residents survived on the
remnants of the fishing industry, as well as small domestic shops and railroad work, well-
to-do Bostonians were attracted to the picturesque coastline. By the mid-1880s, piped
water made it possible to build houses on the rocks and ledges, previously viewed as
harsh obstacles to farming.
By 1898, E. Victor Bigelow, a local historian, accurately predicted Cohasset’s future:
“The character of this town as a suburb and summer resort, to the
exclusion of industries, has become fixed. A fair estimate of the future for
at least a century must predict for Cohasset a suburban retirement. Many
more homes of a comfortable and expensive sort may be expected to
nestle among our ledges and hills. To Nantasket upon one side and North
Scituate upon the other must be given the popularity that brings swarms of
humanity to the beaches in summer; but to Cohasset, which has no long
beach and whose shore line has been preempted already by quiet-loving
people, there must remain a long era of immunity from crowds.”
The final transformation of the town into a suburb of Boston took place after World
War II, when many summer homes became year-round residences. The population
doubled between 1945 and 1970 but remained relatively stable at around 7,000 residents
for the next 20 years (See Table 3-1).
3.3 Open Space and Recreation History
The Town Common was Cohasset’s first public open space area, designated as open land
when the first settlers from Hingham distributed lots in 1670. Privately owned open
4 “MBTA,” 24 March 2009 < http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=GREENBSH>.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-3
space remained abundant throughout the 19th century, but in the early decades of the
20th century several important public and semi-public parks and reserves were created.
The Trustees of Reservations acquired Whitney and Thayer Woods in 1933 and 1943
respectively and the Bancroft Bird Sanctuary in 1935. Wheelwright Park, was bequest to
the Town in 1916 and the Sandy Beach Association acquired the beach for use by
residents in 1917. Holly Hill Farm is approximately 140 acres in area and contains an
organic farm, woods, fields, brooks, ponds and salt marshes, as well as an extensive trail
system, which was recently improved by physically improving the paths and trails,
adding informational signage, adding trail markers, and making available a published
trail map and trail guide. Although privately owned, the property is available to the
community for recreational purposes.
Wompatuck State Park originated as a Naval Ammunition Depot that served the North
Atlantic fleet during World War II. Some of the oldest farms in Cohasset were taken by
the federal government to create the depot. When the land was declared surplus by the
federal government, it was given to the State of Massachusetts.
The Cohasset Conservation Trust, a nonprofit land conservation trust, was established in
1967. Since that time, the Trust has acquired 17 parcels of land (approximately 100
acres) for permanent conservation, including beaches, freshwater and saltwater wetlands,
upland areas, and watershed land. In addition, the Trust holds a conservation restriction
on Barnes Wildlife Sanctuary, a 32 acre parcel. Barnes Wildlife Sanctuary is owned by
the Town of Cohasset. These sites provide wildlife habitat and passive recreation (Map
7).
Within the last five years, the Town participated in the acquisition of the aforementioned
Barnes Property. The Water Department also participated in the acquisition of Brass
Kettle Brook and placed a conservation restriction on the Litchfield Land in the West End
of Scituate. The land was purchased by Maxwell Trust and Scituate CPC-Maxwell Trust
(Scituate) to protect Cohasset’s water supply. The Water Department also purchased a
few small parcels outside of the Brass Kettle Brook Area.
Cohasset has a rich history of recreational opportunities for residents due to its location
on the Atlantic Ocean and proximity to other inland recreational amenities. Boating,
kayaking, canoeing, fishing, rowing and sailing are some of the major water based
recreational activities within the Town. Baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, golf,
horseback riding, walking and organized running, have been some of the major inland
recreational activities. Over the past five (5) years, the Town has seen an increase in the
number of participants in youth lacrosse. Additionally, the Town hosts a number of road
races and triathlons throughout the year.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-4
Cohasset has historically been rich in natural recreational opportunities such as cycling,
hiking the hills, bird watching along the marshes, kayaking in the Gulf or playing
softball. Currently, the Town is working towards constructing a senior center near the
Swim Center. Nearby communities have indoor lacrosse, hockey and soccer that are
utilized by Cohasset residents, however, there may be a need for such uses in Town in the
future. Additionally, an indoor swim center has been identified as a need.
3.4 Population Characteristics
3.4.1 Population Trends
Significant population growth took place in Cohasset between 1940 and 1970,
during the post World War II suburban expansion and baby boom. The Town’s
population more than doubled in that period. From 1970 through 1990,
Cohasset’s population remained relatively stable at around 7,000 residents. The
Town’s population declined slightly between 1980 and 1990, but during the
1990s, Cohasset’s population had grown by 10 percent.5 The Massachusetts State
Data Center projects that the Town’s population will decrease to 6,899 residents
by 2010 and 6,063 residents by 2020.6 See Table 3-1 and Chart 3-1.
Table 3-1: Cohasset Population (1780-2020)
Year Population Percent Change
c. 1780 8001 —
c. 1825 1,2001 50%
1898 2,4741 106%
1930 3,083 25%
1940 3,111 1%
1950 3,731 20%
1960 5,840 57%
1970 6,958 19%
1980 7,174 3.2%
1990 7,075 -1.4%
1995 7,8052 10%
2000 7,261 -7%
2010 6,8993 -5%
2020 6,0633 -12%
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau except 1Bigelow, Narrative History (pp. 6, 312, 404), 2Town of Cohasset 1994 and 1995 Annual
Reports, and 3Massachusetts State Data Center, MassBenchmarks, MISER projections.
5 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
3, page 10.
6Massachusetts State Data Center, MassBenchmarks, MISER projections 15 March, 2009,
<http://www.massbenchmarks.org/statedata/data.htm>.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-5
Chart 3-1
3.4.1.1 Age Composition
Like many other stable New England communities, Cohasset’s population
has been getting older during the last 30 years. The age composition has
changed substantially since the years of postwar population growth. The
census breakdowns by age in 1970 and 2000 show how much the
population aged during that period. In 1970, 41 percent of the population
was age 20 or younger, and 28 percent of the population was age 13 or
younger.7 In contrast, in 2000 only 29 percent of the population was aged
20 or younger and 24 percent was aged 14 or younger. In 2000, only 36
percent of Cohasset households included children and teenagers under 18
years old. The proportion of people 65 years of age and older also
increased. While 9.7 percent of the 1970 population was 65 or older, by
2000 that proportion had risen to 15.3 percent and 28.5 percent of
households included persons 65 and older. The median age of Cohasset’s
population in 2000 was 40.9 years, up from 38.64 years in 1990.8
3.4.1.2 Population Density
Population density is the measure of people per square miles of land area.
Within the Town of Cohasset, the population density has been gradually
rising from 1970 to 2000 (see Chart 3-2), with a small fall in 1990. As
shown in Table 3-2, the population density in Cohasset is the least dense
compared to proximate municipalities.
7 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
3, page 10.
8 2000 US Census, 15 March 2009, <www.census.gov>.
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
PopulationYear
Cohasset Year Round Population
1780-2020
Population
Source:U.S. Census, Bigelow, Town of Cohasset Annual Reports, MISER
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-6
Table 3-2: Population Density
Municipality
Density (persons per square mile)
(2000)9
Cohasset 715
Hingham 882
Hull 3,524
Scituate 997
Chart 3-2
3.4.1.3 Household Composition
Despite the fact that the overall population is relatively stable, the number
of households continues to grow, reflecting a trend towards smaller
household size and greater numbers of single persons living alone. See
Table 3-3.
Table 3-3: Cohasset Household Distribution (1970–2000)
Year Number of Households Persons per Household
1970 2,078 3.3
1980 2,411 3.0
1990 2,590 2.7
2000 2,677 2.7
Source: U.S. Census
9 MA Housing and Economic Development, DHCD Community Profiles, Updated through 2000, 7 April 2009
<http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ehedterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Economic+Analysis&L2=Executive+Office+
of+Housing+and+Economic+Development&L3=Department+of+Housing+and+Community+Development&sid=E
hed&b=terminalcontent&f=dhcd_profiles_profiles&csid=Ehed>
685
690
695
700
705
710
715
720
725
730
735
740
1970 1980 1990 2000Persons per Square MileCohasset Population Density 1970-2000
Population Density
Source:Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
and US Census
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-7
Chart 3-3
The average number of persons per household declined from 3.3 persons
in 1970 to 2.7 persons in 1990. In 2000, the number of persons per
household was similar to 1990. Married-couple households, with or
without resident children under 18, accounted for 65 percent of all
Cohasset households in 2000 and single-person households made up 21
percent.10
3.5 Housing and Economic Conditions
Cohasset is an affluent residential community with less than 7 percent of the taxes paid
by business.11 In 1995, the median house sales price was $285,000. However, by 2000,
the median price had jumped by 63 percent to $465,000, which was the highest
percentage increase on the South Shore12. In 2005, the median sale price increased to
approximately $650,000 (see Chart 3-4). The average number of sales has fluctuated in
Cohasset from 1997to 2007. The most sales occurred between 1997 and 2000 (See Chart
3-5).13 In 2000, the majority (85 percent) of housing units in Cohasset were owner-
occupied.14
10 2000 US Census, 15 March 2009, <www.census.gov>.
11 Debra J Krupczak, M.A.A., Assistant Assessor, Town of Cohasset, email correspondence, 24 March 2009.
12 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
3, page 12.
13 Banker and Tradesman, 15 March 2009, <http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/records__research.html>
14 2000 US Census, 15 March 2009, <www.census.gov>.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
1970 1980 1990 2000 Persons per HouseholdNumber of HouseholdsYear
Number of Households and Persons
Per Household in Cohasset 1970-2000
Number of Households
Persons per Household Source:US Census
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-8
Chart 3-4
Chart 3-5: Number of Sales in Cohasset (1997-2007)
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-9
3.6 Implications of Population Trends for Recreation and Open Space
To meet the needs of its population, Cohasset’s recreation and open space resources must
serve both an older adult population of comfortable means and a growing number of
families with children. As shown on Chart 3-6, the number of children and elders in
Cohasset grew in 2000 compared to 1990. Households with children under the age of 18
in Cohasset increased by 18.8% from 1990 to 2000.15
Chart 3-6
In 1998 Cohasset constructed a new elementary school and renovated the track, football
field and tennis courts at the high school. In 2003 the Town completed a complete
remodeling and expansion of its second elementary school and the Junior-Senior High
School. Currently demand exists for walking trails and bicycle paths as well as playing
fields, reflecting growth at either end of the age spectrum. A new artificial turf field
opened in September 200916.
3.7 Environmental Justice Populations17
According to the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs,
(EEA), Environmental Justice (EJ) is based upon the principle that all people have a right
to be protected from environmental pollution, and to live in and enjoy a clean and
healthful environment. The EEA established an Environmental Justice Policy to help
address the disproportionate share of environmental burdens experienced by lower-
income people and communities of color, who often lack environmental assets in their
15 2000 US Census, 15 March 2009, <www.census.gov>.
16 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
17 www.mass.gov, Energy and Environmental Affairs, Environmental Justice Policy, accessed February 26, 2009.
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
1970 1980 1990 2000 Percent of Total PopulationPopulationCohasset Population Age 18 and Under and
Age 65 and Over (1970-2000)
Population Age 18 and Under Population Age 65 and Over
Percent Population Age 18 and Under Percent of Population Age 65 and Over
Source: U.S. Census
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-10
neighborhoods. EJ populations in Massachusetts are determined by the following criteria
based upon 2000 Census Block Data:
Households earn 65% or less of the statewide household median income; or
25% or more of the residents are minority; or
25% or more of the residents are foreign-born; or
25% or more of the residents are lacking English language proficiency.
Based upon the 2000 U.S. Census, the Town of Cohasset does not meet any of the criteria
for an Environmental Justice Population. However, the 2010 U.S. Census will be
conducted in one year. A portion or the entire Town of Cohasset may be classified as an
EJ population at that time. When the 2010 Census data becomes available, it should be
reviewed to understand if Cohasset contains an EJ population. If the Town does have an
EJ population, further steps should be taken to address its open space and recreational
needs.
3.8 Employers and Employment Trends
In general, most primary wage earners in Cohasset commute to jobs elsewhere in the
region. The average commute time is 35 minutes and three quarters of employed
residents commute at least 10 minutes to work.18
Cohasset’s unemployment rate has fluctuated between 2% and 4.5% over the time period
between 2000 to 2008. From 2003 to 2008, the number of employed residents remained
steady at approximately 3,500 while the labor force decreased slightly and then increased
in 2008. The increase in the labor force caused the unemployment rate to increase (See
Chart 3-7).
18 Growth and Development Committee, Cohasset Master Plan and EO 418 Community Development Plan, January
2004, Section VIII, page 101-107.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-11
Chart 3-7
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
2.5%
3.0%
3.5%
4.0%
4.5%
5.0%
3,350
3,400
3,450
3,500
3,550
3,600
3,650
3,700
3,750
Percent UnemployedPersonsCohasset Labor Force and
Unemployment 2000-2008
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployment Rate
Source: Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-12
3.8.1 Major Industries
Cohasset has a small business sector in five zoning categories distributed in six
locations. Most businesses are located either on Route 3A or in the Village
Center. Cohasset’s largest sources of employment are businesses in the service
sector. The remaining source of employment is primarily businesses that produce
goods.19
3.8.2 Family Income
A large amount of Cohasset residents are employed in professional occupations
and have higher incomes than employees within the Town who work in service
sector positions. Not accounting for inflation, the family and household income
in Cohasset has increased sharply from 1970 to 2000 (See Chart 3-8).
Additionally, as shown on Chart 3-4, the median housing sale price has also
increased over time.
Chart 3-8
Additional information on Cohasset’s economic development, employers and
employment trends is detailed in the Cohasset Master Plan and EO 418
Community Development Plan, January 2004.
3.9 Growth and Development Patterns
3.9.1 Patterns and Trends
The earliest settlements in Cohasset were the village center, the harbor, and the
Beechwood area, where farms were first carved out. Jerusalem Road began to see
the establishment of inns and summer lodging houses in the early decades of the
19th century. This was the area where private summer cottages were first
19 Growth and Development Committee, Cohasset Master Plan and EO 418 Community Development Plan, January
2004, Section VIII, page 98-101.
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
$140,000
$160,000
1970 1980 1990 2000
Cohasset Income 1970 - 2000
Family Income
Household Income
Source: US Census
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-13
constructed. The arrival of the railroad in 1849 attracted even more summer
visitors to Cohasset.
The Town continued to grow and, in the last quarter of the 19th century, new
roads were laid out. Between 1876 and 1891, Doane Street, Forest Avenue,
Atlantic Avenue, and Nichols Road were built. The last three were planned to
accommodate summer houses, which in some cases took several decades before
houses were constructed. Conversion of summer houses into year-round
residences occurred primarily in the 1950s and 1960s.
The combination of large areas of public land in the southern part of the town and
environmental constraints, both wetlands and rock ledge, has historically limited
the opportunities for large development projects. Septic requirements, especially
with the more stringent Title 5 regulations now in force, have posed another
barrier to development. However, new construction techniques are allowing
development on properties that previously could not pass percolation (“perc”)
tests.20 Additionally, a sewer plant expansion was recently completed to include
connection to existing residences along Little Harbor and Atlantic Avenue. The
permit allows connection only to existing homes, as the Environmental Protection
Agency was reportedly concerned about a possible increase in development in
environmentally sensitive areas associated with the sewer expansion.21
Recently several housing developments have been constructed or approved. The
eight-home Rose Hill subdivision is complete, consisting of 14 single-family
homes. A number of houses have been built near the Cohasset Golf Club. In the
Beechwood area, a seven-lot subdivision was approved for construction at the
lower end of Bound Brook and all but two lots have been developed. Avalon
Bay, a 40B development of 200 rental units was approved and was originally
scheduled to begin construction in the Spring of 2009. However, construction has
been postponed with no new date announced.22 A Senior Multi-family District
Overlay Residential Development – “Cedarmere” was approved in 2004. This
residential development off Beechwood Street consists of 105 total units of
housing restricted to occupancy by persons age 55 and older. Currently, the
project is on hold due to economic conditions. The Abbot development of Cook
estate is currently underway.23 Several other single-family subdivisions have
been approved according to the Planning Board (See Table 3-4).24
20 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
3, page 12-13.
21 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
22 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
23 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
24 Jo-Ann Pilczak, Planning Board, Town of Cohasset, email correspondence, 9 March 2009.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-14
Table 3-4: Building Permits Issued for New Residential Construction on
Previously Undisturbed Land
Year Number of Permits
2000 15
2001 13
2002 13
2003 6
2004 10
2005 15
2006 8
2007 5
2008 3
The “Old Colony Square” Transit Oriented Development was approved in 2007.
This mixed-use facility located next to the commuter rail station on Rt. 3A (Chief
Justice Cushing Highway) is designed as a 2-story building with retail space on
the ground level and 16 residential rental units on the second floor. Construction
of the project is currently in progress. 10% of the units will be deemed as
affordable.
Commercial construction along Route 3A also has increased since the 1990s. The
“Scituate Hill” 4 lot commercial subdivision was approved in 2006, and is located
on Route 3A. Land clearing has begun on this site. Other commercial
developments that have been constructed or approved since 2000 include Pilgrim
Cooperative Bank, Hingham Lumber Company, King Jewelers Company,
Joseph’s Hardware expansion, and Rosano office/residential mixed use building
all off Route 3A. Additionally, Pompeo medical office building was approved,
located off Parkingway. During the summer of 2009, the Town reviewed the CCI
Energy application to construct two commercial size wind turbines on Graham
Waste property on Route 3A.25 The permit was denied, and the project is
currently under appeal in Land Court.26
3.10 Infrastructure
3.10.1 Transportation
Cohasset is primarily a residential town with commercial and industrial
development concentrated along Route 3A, the Town’s major arterial road. More
Cohasset residents work in Boston and other commercial centers than work
locally and the majority commute by driving alone. However, about a tenth of
Cohasset workers use mass transit, including the Hingham commuter boat, to get
to work. Over the past 10 years, the MBTA worked with south shore
25 Jo-Ann Pilczak, Planning Board, Town of Cohasset, email correspondence, 9 March 2009.
26 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2 009.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-15
communities to re-establish the Greenbush commuter rail. In the planning and
negotiation process, the MBTA entered into a Mitigation Agreement with
Cohasset as well as Hingham, Braintree, Weymouth and Scituate (the five towns
the rail line passes through). Currently, the Town is serviced by the Greenbush
line at Cohasset Station which opened on October 30, 2007. Cohasset Station is
located at 110 Chief Justice Cushing Highway and it is estimated that travel time
to South Station in Boston is approximately 45 minutes. Currently, the Cohasset
Station stop has 410 parking spaces, 10 of which are handicap accessible.27 The
Cohasset Greenbush Project team has been taking periodic scans of the Cohasset
Station parking lot to assess potential ridership. On opening day, approximately
75 cars were parking in the lot. In the fall of 2008, there were 170 to 180 cars
parked in the lot (this coincided with record high gas prices28). In early 2009,
approximately 130 cars were observed in the parking lot. According to Tom
Gruber, Special Assistant to the Town Manager for Greenbush Affairs, it is
anticipated that ridership did not decrease; however, more people may be
carpooling or are being dropped off at the station. Nearby stops to Cohasset
Station include Hull, East Hingham, North Scituate and Greenbush.29
3.10.2 Water Supply Systems30
Cohasset’s drinking water is supplied primarily from a surface water system
comprised of Lily Pond and the Aaron River Reservoir. In addition, one well
field, at Ellms Meadow provides supplementary water resources.
The Town water system is now operated under contract by American Water
Enterprises and overseen by the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners. A
water treatment plant with a capacity of 3 million gallons per day (mgd) draws
water from Lily Pond. Water from the Aaron River Reservoir can be diverted to
Lily Pond as needed by adjustable gates at the Bound Brook control structure on
Beechwood Street. The Ellms Meadow well field has a capacity of 0.185 mgd
and is used to supplement the Lily Pond system.
North Cohasset residents are supplied with water from Hingham. In 1996, rates
were increased by more than 150 percent. The Massachusetts Aquarian Water
Company, the authority that operates Hingham water, has recently announced
public hearings on another proposed rate increase. In the past, the Town has
promised to explore the possibility of expanding the municipal water system into
North Cohasset.
During the summer of 1995 drought, the Town instituted bans on watering lawns,
however such watering bans are not a regular occurrence.31 Cohasset is currently
27 MBTA,” 24 March 2009 < http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=GREENBSH>.
28 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
29 Telephone Conversation with Tom Gruber, 7 April 2009.
30 Jared Hill, Cohasset Water Department Superintendent, facsimile, 4 March 2009.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-16
making improvements to the water distribution and treatment systems. In a July
1, 2000, water quality report to the Town, the Water Department identified a
number of potential threats to watershed quality including the Cohasset Heights
Landfill (toxic leachate), the Massachusetts Highway Department garage (road
salt runoff), Norfolk Conveyor (1983 oil spill and hazardous waste), the Hingham
Annex former rocket manufacturing facility (toxic leachate), the Arrowwood
Development in Scituate (septic systems), and the former military storage bunkers
in Wompatuck State Park. All of these sites are being monitored.
The Water Department has embarked upon an aggressive program to upgrade the
water system, replacing undersized pipes, and building a second tank to improve
water quality and flow. A long-range capital improvements program for both the
Lily Pond water treatment plant and the water distribution system has been
developed, and the department is carrying out the goals set forth in those plans.
In addition, the Water Department is continuing efforts to acquire additional
property in the Lily Pond watershed including the Wolf Pit to minimize potential
development near the reservoir. Additionally, the Water Department will be
constructing a significant addition to the water plant in order to meet
Environmental Protection Agency Regulations. Although the renovations were
originally anticipated to be completed by 2012, the current funding situation has
resulted in delays with no completion date established.32
3.10.3 Sewer Service33
In the 2000’s the Cohasset Sewer Commission (the Commission) continued to
sewer existing residents and businesses in the Central Sewer District which flows
to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) off Elm Street. The design and
implementation phase has begun for the Little Harbor Sewer Project to connect
existing pollution sources in the designated Little Harbor, Atlantic Avenue and
Jerusalem Road Sewer Districts in order improve Little Harbor water quality.
The WWTP continues to operate exceptionally well below permit effluent limits,
while the Sewer Commission continues to examine incidents of peak flows during
storm events; methods to reduce stormwater and groundwater influences on the
sewer collection system and to look at design and operations procedure
modifications at the plant to better deal with such events. In September of 2007
construction work began on the combined water/sewer/drain portions of the Little
Harbor/Atlantic Avenue expansion project. The WWTP upgrades and expansion
includes the installation of new membranes to allow the expansion of the plant’s
capacity from 300,000 to 450,000 gallons per day. The expansion has been
designated due to the existing pollution sources in the Little Harbor, Atlantic
31 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
32 Jared Hill, Cohasset Water Department Superintendent, telephone correspondence, 29 September 2009.
33 Diane Hindley, Sewer Commission, Town of Cohasset, email correspondence, 11 March 2009.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-17
Avenue and Jerusalem Road area, and was mandated by law.34 There continues
to be a policy that no vacant lots within the new expansion areas or in the North
Cohasset District (also flow limited) are being considered for sewer connection at
this time due to capacity limitations but the Sewer Commission does maintain a
“waiting list” for future consideration. The North Cohasset Sewer District, which
flows first to Hingham and then to Hull, will accept flow from the Jerusalem
Road District, included with the Little Harbor sewer expansion. This area was
one of two “Priority” areas of existing homes (with septic systems being a defined
pollution source) proposed for connection to that district. The area containing the
homes along Old Coach Road comprises the second Priority area for connection
to the North Cohasset Sewer District. Any available capacity defined in that
district will first be applied to these existing homes which are in the Little Harbor
watershed area. The construction of the expanded sewer system and plant
upgrades was completed in the summer of 2009, and connections will be phased
in.35
The plant expansion and modification efforts associated with the expansion for
the Little Harbor sewers was completed in 2009 and also included modifications
to further mitigate any potential overflows at the plant due to extreme wet weather
conditions.
During 2006 and 2007 the Sewer Commission was notified that the suits filed
against it by Jerusalem Road Estates, King Taylor Associates (Cedarmere) and
Avalon developers had either been ruled in favor of the Commission by the
Courts or appeals by the plaintiffs to earlier rulings found in favor of the
Commission had been dismissed. All three of these entities had sought
connections to Town sewers and had been denied by the Commission. The
Commission has remained committed to satisfying the outstanding judicial
judgment requirements as well as helping to eliminate “existing” pollution
sources. For this reason the Commission will continue to strive, within its legal
bounds, to provide service for existing homes with its limited treatment capacity
before any consideration is given to new developments. In 2008 a capacity study
evaluation was conducted for central district, which identified that Cohasset had
additional capacity to distribute. This distribution must be used toward an
existing pollution source; for example, an expansion or change in use of an
existing development that would increase flows. Cohasset continues to maintain a
moratorium on providing sewer service to vacant lots.36
34 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
35 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
36 Diane Hindley, Administrative Assistant to the Cohasset Sewer Commission, telephone correspondence, 28
September 2009.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-18
3.11 Long-Term Development Patterns
3.11.1 Long-Term Growth Patterns
Zoning districts in Cohasset include residential, light industry, commercial,
cluster zoning by special permit, and an open space district. A floodplain and
watershed protection overlay district regulates development activities by requiring
special permits. Special permits are issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The
Town also has a Wetlands Bylaw and detailed Wetlands Regulations which are
administered by the Cohasset Conservation Commission. Much current
construction activity consists of the expansion of existing homes, which often
involves floodplain and wetlands protection concerns. Cohasset also has a
Residential Cluster Development section in the Zoning Bylaw, however,
developers rarely bring forth a plan under the provisions that adequately link open
space within the Town. Recently, the “Large Home Review” bylaw was passed at
Town Meeting in 2004. Since its adoption, the Planning Board has reviewed and
recommended the issuance of permits for 21 homes, each with over 3,500 SF of
residential living space. These projects included extensive renovation and
expansion, tear down and rebuild, and new construction scenarios. Additionally,
the Town adopted the Transit Oriented Development Overla y District to foster
moderate to high density development within walking distance of the transit
station.37 The trend of transit oriented development has been growing throughout
the nation and within the State of Massachusetts. Finally, in the recent past , the
Town passed a Wind Energy Conversion Facility Bylaw for turbines greater than
500 kilowatts.
In 2008, Cohasset adopted a Stormwater Management Bylaw into the General
Bylaw to prevent and reduce existing and future flooding, protect water quality,
increase groundwater recharge, reduce erosion and sedimentation and help
Cohasset meet federal requirements under Phase II of the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The Stormwater Management Bylaw
will allow the Town to review development for elements that are crucial to the
health of the open space. The Conservation Commission is the permitting
authority for the Stormwater Management Bylaw.
A citizen petition also proposed a bylaw proposal that would address development
and blasting on ledge. However, the bylaw was not passed at Town Meeting.
The Town Assessor currently classifies 193 acres of open private vacant land as
“developable” and an additional 127 acres as “potentially developable.” These
two categories of land together constitute 5.3 percent of the Town’s 6,065 acres.
Most of these parcels are small. The largest developable site contains 31 acres
and the largest potentially developable site contains 45 acres. In contrast,
199 acres of open privately held land, 3 percent of all town land, is classified as
undevelopable. Although current requirements for septic systems as well as the
presence of wetlands and ledge preclude development of many sites at present,
37 Town of Cohasset Zoning Bylaw, March 29, 2008, Section 17.2.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Setting 3-19
installation of sewer systems for several areas of Cohasset and the use of
alternative technologies for localized communal waste treatment may open up
some of the undevelopable sites. Area requirements for new single-family
dwellings on a new lot in residential districts range from 18,000 to 60,000 square
feet, with a frontage requirement of 50 feet.
Refer to Map 3.
See Section 3.9.1 for a summary of the development that occurred over the past
five (5) years.
3.11.2 Buildout Analysis
To assist cities and towns, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) initiated a statewide analysis of building
patterns. A buildout analysis consists of a series of maps, based on the
geographical information system (GIS), that illustrate a community’s current
zoning, land available for development and how it is zoned, and maximum
development possible in a particular community if every piece of developable
land were developed based upon existing local zoning. Accompanying the maps,
projections were calculated for the numbers of residents, households, public
school students, and water use at maximum buildout. The buildout analysis
provides a baseline for communities by demonstrating development as it could
occur if no changes were made in current zoning. It is a planning tool designed to
stimulate discussion and help communities identify if they are growing in the way
they want and what, if any, changes they want to make. The 1999 analysis for
Cohasset determined that 1,551 acres are developable. If all of this land were to
be built upon using current Cohasset zoning, it would yield approximately 1,036
additional dwelling units and an additional 2,652 residents. This scenario would
bring Cohasset’s total population to 10,769 residents. Appendix B contains the
Cohasset Buildout Summary Information provided by the Massachusetts EOEA.
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 4.0
Environmental Inventory & Analysis
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-1
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY & ANALYSIS
Cohasset enjoys a variety of environmental and cultural resources. The following section
provides an inventory of these resources, and describes the environmental challenges facing the
town. Information contained within Section 4 of the prior 2002-2006 Open Space and
Recreation Plan has been repeated and/or updated as applicable to complete this analysis.
4.1 Geology, Soils & Topography
Refer to the Soils and Geologic Features Map (Required Map 4) in conjunction with this
section.
4.1.1 Geology
The majority of Cohasset’s bedrock is comprised of Dedham granite.38 The
prevalent bedrock within Cohasset has historically represented a development
constraint, although more recent blasting capabilities have made previously
undevelopable areas available.
Glacial action is responsible for the town’s surficial geology; glacial retreat
approximately 12,000 years ago carried soils, rocks and boulders, and, as the
glaciers melted, deposited glacial till on the ground surface. Cohasset contains
many boulders transported by glacial action and then perched atop one another, or
“glacial erratics”. Rooster Rock, Bigelow Boulder, and Ode’s Den, all in
Whitney and Thayer Woods, and Big Tipling in Wheelwright Park are among the
most well known glacial erratics. Cohasset’s present swamps and marshes were
formed from small water bodies created during the extended process of glacial
retreat that became vegetated.39
38 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
39 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
Photo 4-1: Photograph obtained from The Trustees of Reservations
website (www.thetrustees.org/pages/392_whitney_and_thayer_woods.cfm)
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-2
4.1.2 Soils
The majority of soils within Cohasset represent a constraint for development as
they generally either contain prevalent stones and boulders or are poorly
drained.40
MassGIS indicates that the soil types listed below occur in Cohasset. Prime
farmland soils are noted with an asterisk*, while important farmland soils are
noted with a double asterisk**. Prime soils constitute those exhibiting the most
advantageous combination of physical and chemical characteristics for farming
use and that are also available for farming uses. Important farmland soils include
soils that nearly qualify for prime status, and that “economically produce high
yields of crops when treated or managed according to acceptable farming
methods.”41,42
Beaches (Be)
Canton fine sandy loam, 3 – 8% and 8 – 15% slopes (CaB* and CaC**)
Canton fine sandy loam, extremely stony, 3 – 8% and 15 – 25% slopes (CbB
and CbD)
Canton fine sandy loam, extremely bouldery, 8 – 15% and 15 – 25% slopes
(CcC and CcD)
Charlton-Hollis-Rock outcrop complex, 3 – 8%, 8 – 15% and 15-25% slopes
(ChB, ChC and ChD)
Deerfield loamy sand, 3 – 8% slopes (DeB**)
Freetown muck (Fm)
Freetown muck, ponded (Fp)
Hinckley sandy loam, 3 – 8% and 8 – 15% slopes (HfB** and HfC)
Hollis-Rock outcrop-Charlton complex, 3 – 15% and 15 – 35% slopes (HrC
and HrD)
Ipswich mucky peat (Ip)
Merrimac fine sandy loam, 0 – 3%, 3 – 8% and 8 – 15% slopes (MmA*,
MmB* and MmC**)
Merrimac-Urban land complex, 0 – 8% slopes (MnB)
Montauk fine sandy loam, 3 – 8% slopes (MoB*)
Montauk fine sandy loam, extremely stony, 3 – 8% and 8 – 15% slopes (MsB
and MsC)
Newport silt loam, 3 – 8%, 8 – 15% and 15 – 25% slopes (NpB*, NpC** and
NpD)
Newport-Urban land complex, 3 – 15% slopes (NuC)
40 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
41 Prime farmland soil information obtained from http://nesoil.com/prime1.html on March 13, 2009.
42 Important farmland soil information obtained from http://nesoil.com/important.html on March 13, 2009.
Town of Cohasset
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Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-3
Paxton fine sandy loam, 3 – 8% slopes (PaB*)
Paxton fine sandy loam, extremely stony, 3 – 8% and 8 – 15% slopes (PbB
and PbC)
Pittstown silt loam, 2 – 8% slopes (PtB*)
Raynham silt loam (Ra)
Ridgebury fine sandy loam, 0 – 5% slopes (RdA)
Ridgebury fine sandy loam, extremely stony, 2 – 8% slopes (RgB)
Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, 3 – 25% slopes (RoD)
Scarboro and Birdsall soils (Sb)
Scio very fine sandy loam, 2 – 5% slopes (ScB*)
Scituate fine sandy loam, 3 – 8% slopes (SeB*)
Scituate fine sandy loam, extremely stony, 3 – 8% slopes (StB)
Sudbury fine sandy loam, 2 – 8% slopes (SuB*)
Swansea muck (Sw)
Udorthents, sandy (Ua)
Udorthents, loamy (Ud)
Udorthents, wet substratum (Ue)
Udorthents, refuse substratum (Uf)
Urbanland, 0 – 15% slopes (Ur)
Urban land-Boxford complex, 0 – 3% slopes (UxA)
Water (W)
Walpole sandy loam, 0 – 5% (WaA)
Whitman fine sandy loam, extremely stony, 0 – 5% slopes (WhA)
Windsor loamy sand, 3 – 8% slopes (WnB**)
Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 3 – 8% slopes (WsB*)
Of the soils occurring in Cohasset listed above, Table 4-1 depicts the ten most
prevalent (by acre) soil types within Cohasset. There are no prime farmland soils
within the “top ten” list, although important farmland soils are present.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-4
Table 4-1: Ten Most Prevalent (by Acre) Soil Types within Cohasset
Soil Name Acres % Total
Hollis-Rock outcrop-Charlton complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes (HrC) 1881 30%
Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes (RoD) 576 9%
Charlton-Hollis-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes (ChC) 517 8%
Charlton-Hollis-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes (ChB) 343 6%
Swansea muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes (Sw) 281 5%
Ridgebury fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony (RgB) 201 3%
Freetown muck, ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes (Fp) 198 3%
Newport silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (NpC)** 183 3%
Freetown muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes (Fm) 162 3%
Newport silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes (NpD) 161 3%
Other 1730 2%
Source: Adapted from USDA NRCS, Norfolk County Web Soil Survey
(www.websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/)
The most dominant soil type in Cohasset is HrC, which is described as “gently
sloping and strongly sloping soils and areas of exposed bedrock on hills and
ridges where the relief is affected by the underlying bedrock…The shallow,
somewhat excessively drained Hollis soil is on the tops of ridges or is near rock
outcrops. The very deep, well drained Charlton soil is in low pockets and
saddles. Stones and boulders 10 inches to 10 feet in diameter cover 0 to 15% of
the surface.” Additionally, depth to the seasonal high water table occurs at
greater than 6 feet with HrC soils. Slope and shallow bedrock depth are the main
development limitations associated with HrC soils.43
RoD soils are generally unsuitable for development, mainly due to prevalent
bedrock exposures.44 Seasonal high water and wetland characteristics associated
with the mucky soils (Sw, Fm and Fp) also represent significant development
constraints. Seasonal high water and slow to very slow permeability represent the
main limitations of RgB soils, especially with regard to septic, although
development can be accommodated with consideration of mechanisms to avoid
water damage.45 Seasonal high water and slow permeability are also constraints
for NpC and NpD soils.46
43 http://nesoil.com/norfolk/HrC.htm viewed online March 25, 2009.
44 http://nesoil.com/norfolk/RoD.htm viewed online March 25, 2009.
45 http://nesoil.com/norfolk/RgB.htm viewed online March 25, 2009.
46 http://nesoil.com/norfolk/NpC.htm and http://nesoil.com/norfolk/NpD.htm viewed online March 25, 2009.
Town of Cohasset
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Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-5
4.1.3 Topography
“As noted above, glacial action created Cohasset‟s rocky shoreline, ponds, and
marshy depressions.” The rocky topography prevalent in Cohasset produces
many small changes in elevation, while more significant changes in elevation due
to the town’s glacial past create a ranging topography that includes features from
coastal estuaries to
inland hills. “A
number of the oval,
rounded hills known
as drumlins, which
were also created
during the retreat of
the glaciers, can be
found in the vicinity
of Route 3A. These
include Turkey Hill,
Scituate Hill, Deer
Hill, Bear Hill,
James Hill, and
Walnut Hill. Turkey
Hill, on the border
with Hingham, is
the highest point in
Cohasset at 187 feet
above sea level.”47
4.2 Landscape Character
Refer to the Unique Features Map (Required Map 5) in conjunction with this section.
Cohasset is home to distinctive
landforms, unique natural environments,
and areas of scenic interest. Distinctive
landforms include the previously noted
drumlins, as well as ledge outcroppings
and boulders throughout the Town.
47 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001,
Section 4.
Image 4-1: Topographic features of Cohasset. Courtesy of Google
Maps online.
Photo 4-1: Glacial erratic, Photograph obtained from The Trustees
of Reservations website
(www.thetrustees.org/pages/392_whitney_and_thayer_woods.cfm)
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-6
Cohasset’s generally rocky shore
also contrasts with the sandy
beaches that are generally more
common in the South Shore region.
The Town’s landscape is
characterized by a diversity of
natural environments, ranging from
uplands to freshwater areas to
tidally influenced areas, including
6.12 miles of coastline. 48 Forested
areas and wetlands are discussed in
greater detail in Section 4.4.
The various distinctive landforms and unique natural environments create areas of scenic
interest in Cohasset. Particularly scenic vistas include those along Jerusalem Road and
Atlantic Avenue, as well as from Forest Avenue heading toward the ocean. The
reversing falls at Cohasset Harbor are especially unique, and very popular with regional
kayakers.
4.3 Water Resources
Refer to the Water Resources Map (Required Map 6) in conjunction with this section.
4.3.1 Watersheds
According to MassGIS, Cohasset is located within two major watersheds: Boston
Harbor and South Coastal. North Cohasset and those areas draining to Great
Swamp, Turkey Hill Run, and Rattlesnake Run, which all flow to Straits Pond or
the Weir River, are located within the Boston Harbor watershed. The remainder
and majority of Town lies within the South Coastal watershed, which includes
areas that drain to Lily Pond, the Aaron Reservoir, Brass Kettle Brook, Little
Harbor, the Gulf River, and the Atlantic Ocean.
4.3.2 Surface Waters
Cohasset contains both salt and freshwater resources. In addition to the Atlantic
Ocean, saltwater bodies include Cohasset Harbor, Little Harbor, the Gulf River
estuary, and Straits Pond.49 Straits Pond lies within the northernmost portion of
Cohasset, within the Weir River Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)
48 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
49 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
Photo 4-2: View of Moors Rock off Jerusalem Road,
photograph courtesy of Karen Quigley
Town of Cohasset
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Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-7
and is located in both the Towns of Cohasset and Hull.50 Straits Pond is an
Outstanding Resource Water due to its location within an ACEC.51 Straits Pond is
described in further detail in Section 4.6.4. The Gulf River estuary is located in
the southeastern portion of Cohasset, within both the Towns of Cohasset and
Scituate, and includes salt mashers, tidal flats, and other lands subject to tidal
action.
The major freshwater bodies within Cohasset consist of the Aaron River
Reservoir, Lily Pond, Sanctuary Pond, Treat’s Pond, Aaron River, Bound Brook,
Peppermint Brook, Herring Brook, Brass Kettle Brook, James Brook, Turkey Hill
Run, Richardson’s Brook, and Rattlesnake Run.52 Smaller ponds, streams, and
seasonal wet places are also present throughout the Town. Note that Lily Pond
and the Aaron River Reservoir are surface drinking water supplies. Therefore,
Lily Pond and the Aaron River Reservoir, as well as the streams and wetlands
tributary to these surface waters, are Outstanding Resource Waters.53 James
Brook runs through Cohasset center, the most densely developed portion of
Town, where it passes through a culvert under the village center and emerges
south of Elm Street and drains into Cohasset Cove.54
50 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. “Weir River.” ACEC Designations. 30 Jan. 2009
<www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/acec/acecs/l-weiriv.htm>.
51 Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards [314 CMR 4.00].
52 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
53 Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards [314 CMR 4.00].
54 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-8
Water Supply Protection Area Definitions
Public Water Supply Protection Areas are
defined in the Drinking Water Regulations at
310 CMR 22.02.
Interim Wellhead Protection Area (IWPA)
For public water systems using wells or
wellfields that lack a Department approved
Zone II, the Department will apply an interim
wellhead protection area. This interim
wellhead protection area shall be a one-half
mile radius measured from the well or
wellfield for sources whose approved
pumping rate is 100,000 gpd or greater.
Zone I The protective radius required around
a public water supply well or wellfield. For
public water system wells with approved
yields of 100,000 gpd or greater, the
protective radius is 400 feet.
Zone II That area of an aquifer which
contributes water to a well under the most
severe pumping and recharge conditions that
can be realistically anticipated (180 days of
pumping at approved yield, with no recharge
from precipitation).
Zone A The land area between the surface
water source and the upper boundary of the
bank; the land area within a 400 foot lateral
distance from the upper boundary of the
bank of a Class A surface water source; and
the land area within a 200 foot lateral
distance from the upper boundary of the
bank of a tributary or associated surface
water body.
Zone B The land area within one-half mile of
the upper boundary of the bank of a Class A
surface water source, as defined in 314 CMR
4.05(3)(a), or edge of watershed, whichever
is less.
4.3.3 Water Supply & Aquifer Recharge Areas55
Two surface water supplies provide potable
water for Cohasset: Lily Pond (DEP
Drinking Water Supply ID# 065-01S) and
the Aaron River Reservoir (ID# 065-02S).
The 52-acre Lily Pond contains a maximum
capacity of approximately 100 million
gallons of water, while the maximum 550
million gallons of water available in the
Aaron River Reservoir, which is 136 acres
in size, supplements the Lily Pond supply
during high water demand.
The watershed associated with these surface
water supplies encompasses 5,892 acres, of
which only 40% is in Cohasset. The
amount of water available for use in Lily
Pond and the Aaron River Reservoir
without detrimental repercussions is 5.2
million gallons per day (gpd), whereas
Cohasset’s average daily demand is
approximately 800,000 gpd. During
maximum demand times (summer),
Cohasset utilizes 2.2 million gpd.
In addition to these surface supplies, the
Cohasset Water Department also manages
two well fields. The proximity of the
Sohier Street Wells (ID# 065-03G) to the
recently re-established Greenbush rail line
resulted in their abandonment. However,
the Ellms Meadow Well field (ID# 065-
02G) was reactivated in 2007 and has been
approved for a maximum 170,000 gallons
per day (gpd) withdrawal.
It is anticipated that the existing water
supply will meet future water demands for
at least the next 20 years.
55 Norfolk RAM Group. “Where Your Drinking Water Comes From.” Cohasset Water Department Consumer
Confidence Report Map. 30 Jan. 2008, 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.cohassetwater.org/pdf/2008CCRMap.pdf>.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-9
4.3.4 Flood Hazard Areas
Areas within Cohasset that are subject to inundation by the 100-year flood
elevation are depicted on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) community panels 2502360002B,
2502360004C, and 2502360005B dated September 29, 1986, July 2, 1992, and
September 29, 1986 respectively. Note that a Letter of Map Amendment
(LOMA) dated October 27, 1999 also exists for panel 2502360004C. A Flood
Insurance Study (FIS) and accompanying Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps
(community panels 2502360002 and 2502360004) are also available for the town
of Cohasset. The study and floodway maps are dated September 29, 1986 and
provide more specific base flood information for most coastal and tributary rivers
within Cohasset.
Because of Cohasset’s extensive river and tributary system, many flood hazard
areas are spread throughout the town. The areas subject to flooding depicted on
the FEMA maps generally include the basins of James Brook, Brass Kettle Brook,
Bound Brook, Turkey Hill Run, Rattlesnake Run, Aaron River, the Gulf River,
Lily Pond, Straits Pond, Aaron River Reservoir, and portions of tributaries
thereto. In addition, Cohasset Harbor and the lowland shores of Little Harbor are
subject to flooding and velocity hazards (wave action).
The following is excerpted from the Flood Insurance Study:
“Due to its coastal New England location, Cohasset is highly
susceptible to northeasters...northeasters often last long enough to be
accompanied by at least one high tide, which results in the most
severe flooding conditions…
In addition to flooding, damaging waves may result in areas with
sufficient fetch length, water depth, and exposure to winds. The outer
coastline from the Cohasset-Hull town boundary to the White Head
section of Cohasset Harbor is susceptible to damaging waves.
Seaward of the western side of Pleasant Beach is an ancient river
channel which extends from the beach to approximately 1,500 feet
offshore. The depth of water at this channel is significantly deeper
than at other parts of the beach. These greater depths are a pathway
for higher wave energy to reach the shore. The result is more
overtopping and seepage at this part of the dune than at other sites in
the system.
Inland riverine flooding is also a major concern in Cohasset. During
peak runoff seasons and high intensity storms, inland flooding occurs
along Turkey Hill Run and in the downtown Pleasant Street area
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
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BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-10
where James Brook passes through a long culvert…”56
4.3.5 Wetlands
Wetlands provide a variety of important functions, including 1) the protection of
public and private water supply; 2) the protection of groundwater supply; 3) flood
control and storm damage prevention; 4) the prevention of pollution; 5) the
protection of fisheries and shellfish; and 6) wildlife habitat.
Cohasset contains many wetland types from coastal (including beaches, dunes,
salt marshes, tidal flats and rocky intertidal shores) to inland (deciduous,
coniferous and mixed forested swamps, scrub-shrub swamps, freshwater marshes,
and wet meadows) as well as mixed saltwater/fresh water resources such as
estuaries and brackish areas.
Saltwater wetlands are located in the northern and eastern portions of Cohasset
bordering on the Gulf River estuary, parts of Cohasset Harbor, Straits Pond, and
portions of Little Harbor. Major freshwater wetland areas include the Great
Swamp, Jacob’s Meadow (a marshland), the area between Lily Pond and the
Aaron River Reservoir, Brass Kettle Brook and Bound Brook, Breadencheese
Swamp (near the town transfer station and former landfill, north of Cedar Street),
Jacob’s Meadow (adjacent to James Brook between South Main Street and Elm
Street), and Ellms Meadow (adjacent to James Brook between Cushing Road,
James Lane and the MBTA Railroad).57
56 Flood Insurance Study Town of Cohasset, Massachusetts Norfolk County, dated September 29, 1986. Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
57 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-11
A natural community is a distinct
grouping of plant species that
occur together in recurring
patterns. Natural Communities are
distinguished by the three
following characteristics:
1. Definite plant species composition;
2. Consistent physical structure (e.g.,
grassland, shrubland, forest); and
3. Specific physical conditions (e.g.,
nutrients, climate).
Typically, natural communities are
classified, described, and named on
the basis of their dominant or
characteristic vegetation.
4.4 Vegetation
4.4.1 General Inventory58,59
Cohasset falls within the central
hardwoods dominated Southern New
England Coastal Plains and Hills sub-
ecoregion, which is topographically
variable with granites, schist and gneiss
bedrock types present. The Natural
Heritage & Endangered Species
Program (NHESP) has classified the
natural communities of Massachusetts;
these classifications can be used to
determine what vegetative community
types are present at a given location.
Natural Community locations can be
reported to NHESP in order to increase
its existing database. Refer to Appendix
C for information pertaining to
reporting Natural Community
observations.
NHESP has also identified “Priority Natural Vegetation Communities”, which
represent the most critical conservation areas with regard to biodiversity in
Massachusetts. NHESP organizes vegetation community types into three
systems: Terrestrial, Palustrine, and Estuarine, all of which occur in Cohasset.
Specifically, within the three broad categories, Riverine, Coastal, and Upland
Forest natural community systems occur in Cohasset. Within these subcategories,
the follow specific vegetative communities occur in Cohasset:
Coniferous, deciduous and mixed deciduous/coniferous upland forests
(Terrestrial).
Herbaceous, shrub and tree riverine natural community systems (Palustrine).
Brackish tidal wetland, coastal bank/beach/dune, coastal forest, maritime
shrubland, saltmarsh, tidal flat, and rocky shore coastal natural community
systems (Estuarine).
58 Patricia C. Swain and Jennifer B. Kearsley, “Classification of the Natural Communities of Massachusetts,” Draft
Version 1.3. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife,
2001.
59 Office of Geographic and Environmental Information, “MassGIS,” Metadata for Priority Natural Vegetation
Communities, Apr. 2003, 26 Mar. 2009 <www.mass.gov/mgis/laylist.htm>.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-12
Refer to Section 4.4.2 for additional detail regarding Terrestrial areas in Cohasset,
and to Section 4.4.5 for additional detail regarding Palustrine and Estuarine areas
in Cohasset.
4.4.2 Forest Land
Cohasset has over three thousand acres of forested land. Remaining sizable tracts
of forested land within Cohasset include:
Wompatuck State Park
Whitney and Thayer Woods
Turkey Hill
Wheelwright Park
Great Brewster Woods
Barnes Wildlife Sanctuary
Cornelia and Richardson White Woods
Wooded portions of Cohasset Country Club
Turtle Island and vicinity
Reeds Corner and vicinity
Walnut Hill and vicinity
Adjacent to Deer Hill
Water Department parcels around Lily Pond
Brass Kettle Brook area off King Street
Oak and white pine are the dominant species within Cohasset’s upland forests. In
addition to the dominant oak-white pine forested communities identified
throughout Cohasset, several smaller forest communities have been identified
within specific areas of Town: 60
“Significant understory stands of American holly exist in Wheelwright Park,
Whitney and Thayer Woods, and north of Lambert‟s Lane” as well as on the
Holly Hill Farm and Cornelia Richardson White Woods property. Oak-hemlock-
white pine forests are generally distinguished by the presence of eastern hemlock
and “can be found in moist lowland areas, particularly parts of Wompatuck State
Park and east of Bound Brook.”61
According to MassGIS, forested riverine natural community systems are also
located proximate to the Aaron River, Bound River, Brass Kettle Brook, James
Brook, Richardsons Brook, and a tributary to the Gulf River. Coastal forest
communities are located proximate to Richardson’s Brook, within Wheelwright
60 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
61 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
Town of Cohasset
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Park, and off Atlantic Avenue between Little Harbor and Cohasset Cove.
“In addition to the woodlands in parks and protected conservation areas, both
mature and successional forest lands exist in scattered stands throughout the
town… Early successional scrub forest is less common and can be found in areas
such as the edges of the Turkey Hill meadows.”62 MassGIS also indicates that
three properties participate in the Chapter 61 tax abatement program for forestry,
however MassGIS has not updated its Chapter 61 data for 10 years.
4.4.3 Public Shade Trees63
Street trees line North and South Main Street, Highland Street, Oak Street, and
many of the roads throughout Cohasset. Park and publicly owned trees are
located within town-owned properties. These properties include the Town
Common, Wheelwright Park, Barnes Wildlife Sanctuary, Cohasset public school
lands, public recreation lands, and lands owned by the water department, for
example. Cemeteries also contain public shade trees. Refer to Section 4.6.5 for a
list of cemeteries within Cohasset.
4.4.4 Agricultural Land
Cohasset does not have a significant inventory of land used for growing
agricultural products or raising livestock, although there are a number of
“backyard barns” and a significant associated horse population. Holly Hill Farm
represents the only significant working farm. The majority of agricultural areas
are subject to Conservation Restrictions.64
4.4.5 Wetland Vegetation
The most prevalent forested palustrine vegetation community within Cohasset is
red maple swamp. A mixture of trees generally coexist within the red maple
swamp community and include yellow birch, black gum, white ash, white pine,
American elm, hemlock, pin oak, and swamp white oak.65 Examples of red maple
swamps within Cohasset include Great Swamp and forested wetlands bordering
on Brass Kettle Brook. Atlantic white cedar may have historically dominated the
Great Swamp, as well. Atlantic white cedar was harvested by colonial settlers in
the 17th and 18th centuries as a durable wood, but as a consequence, is now a rare
wetland community type in Massachusetts.66
62 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
63 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
64 Personal communication, Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, May 28, 2009.
65 Patricia C. Swain and Jennifer B. Kearsley, “Classification of the Natural Communities of Massachusetts,” Draft
Version 1.3. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts D ivision of Fisheries & Wildlife,
2001.
66 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-14
Non-forested palustrine vegetation communities within Cohasset include scrub-
shrub swamps, freshwater marshes, and wet meadows. Shrub swamps in
Cohasset are dominated by buttonbush. Although less common in Cohasset, open
wet meadows and cattail marshes are present along lower Bound Brook, on the
Richardson White property, and within Ellms Meadow.67
Tidally influenced wetland (estuarine) communities include beaches, dunes, salt
marshes, tidal flats and rocky intertidal shores. Of these, only salt marshes exhibit
significant vegetation, although seaweeds are likely present at the lower reaches
of beaches and rocky intertidal shores, and dunes likely contain salt tolerant
species such as beach grass, beach plum rose, and poison ivy. Salt marshes are
dominated by saltmeadow and saltmarsh cordgrass, however many of Cohasset’s
salt marshes have become populated by common reed, an invasive species (refer
to Section 4.7.8).68 Additionally, Cohasset contains several eelgrass beds,
discussed in greater detail in Section 4.4.7.
4.4.6 Rare Plant Species
The population status of rare plants and animals in Massachusetts is described
using three categories: 1) special concern; 2) threatened; and 3) endangered:
Special concern species have either experienced a decline that could threaten
the species without intervention, or whose populations are so small, localized,
or dependant upon specialized habitats that they could become threatened.
Threatened species are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.
Endangered species are in danger of extirpation from Massachusetts.69
A relatively small area of Cohasset’s land is mapped as Priority and/or Estimated
Habitat.
Priority Habitat (PH) is the geographical extent of habitat for all state-listed
plant and animal species.
Estimated Habitat (EH) depicts the geographical extent of habitat of state-
listed rare wildlife.70
67 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
68
69 Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. “Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.” 11 Feb.
2009 <www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp.htm>.
70 Office of Geographic and Environmental Information. “MassGIS.” Metadata for NHESP Priority and Estimated
Habitat. Sep. 2008, 17 Feb. 2009 <www.mass.gov/mgis/laylist.htm>.
Town of Cohasset
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Refer to Section 4.5.4 for information pertaining to state-listed rare wildlife
species.
Table 4-2 lists the most recent rare plant observations. These state-listed plant
species are protected pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act
(MESA).
Swamp dock (Rumex verticillatus), a threatened species, was found along Bound
Brook below Beechwood Street during research for the 1997-2001 Cohasset Open
Space and Recreation Plan, and is currently listed by the Natural Heritage &
Image 4-2: NHESP 2008 Priority Habitat of Rare Species and Estimated Habitats of Rare Wildlife.
Viewed online at http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/maps/eelgrass/cohasset_harbor.htm on
March 26, 2009. Priority Habitat of Rare Species are depicted in yellow. Estimated Habitats of Rare
Wildlife are depicted in green
Town of Cohasset
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Endangered Species Program (NHESP) as occurring in Cohasset with a most
recent observation date of 2002.71, 72 Rare plant species observed historically in
Cohasset, such as seabeach dock (Rumex pallidus) and adder’s-tongue fern, both
threatened species that were observed in Cohasset in 1876 and greater than 25
years ago, respectively; or that presently exist in neighboring communities, such
as American sea-blite (Suaeda calceoliformis), a special concern species that was
observed in Scituate in 1987, as well as pale green orchid (Platanthera flava var.
herbiola), a threatened species observed in Hingham and Scituate, ma y also grow
in Cohasset.73
Table 4-2: Rare Plant Species within Cohasset74
E = Endangered T = Threatened SC = Special Concern
Taxonomic Group Scientific Name Common Name MESA Status Most Recent
Observation
Vascular Plant Ophioglossum
pusillum
Adder's-tongue
Fern T Historic
Vascular Plant Rumex pallidus Seabeach Dock T 1876
Vascular Plant Rumex verticillatus Swamp Dock T 2002
Source: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. October 1, 2008
4.4.7 Unique Natural Resources
The Town of Cohasset contains both unique coastal and inland natural resources.
Unlike neighboring communities, which exhibit sandy coasts, the majority of
Cohasset’s coastline consists of rocky intertidal shores. Another unique coastal
natural resource is eelgrass beds. Unusual inland/freshwater communities include
vernal pools (discussed later in Section 4 of this report).
71 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
72 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/mesa_list/rare_occurrences.htm viewed online March 26,
2009.
73 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/mesa_list/rare_occurrences.htm viewed online March 26,
2009.
74 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/town_lists/town_c.htm#cohasset viewed online March 26,
2009.
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Cohasset’s unique natural resources include an eelgrass vegetation community.
“Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a subtidal marine angiosperm, or „seagrass,‟ that
grows in temperate waters, often forming extensive underwater meadows.
Eelgrass beds are highly productive communities, and are ecologically important
because they act as a nursery, habitat, and feeding ground for many fish,
waterfowl, and invertebrates. As such, eelgrass beds, as well as other seagrasses,
often have become the center of resource management initiatives to protect
them.”75 Eelgrass mapping projects have been undertaken by DEP and the
Environmental Protection Agency. Although DEP mapping available online
(comparing the extent
of eelgrass in 1995
and 2001, see right)
indicates that eelgrass
is present within
Cohasset Harbor, later
surveys indicate that,
as of 2006, the
formerly lush eelgrass
meadow is no longer
present within the
Harbor.76
75 Joe Costa, “Eelgrass in Buzzards Bay,” Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, 18 Feb. 2009
<www.buzzardsbay.org/eelgrass.htm>.
76 Phil Colarusso, Marine Biologist, Environmental Protection Agency, telephone correspondence, 1 October 2009.
Image 4-2: DEP Eelgrass Mapping Project, Cohasset Harbor.
Map 17 South Coast. Viewed on March 26, 2009 online at
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/maps/eelgrass/cohasset_harbor.htm.
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4.4.8 Vegetation Mapping Projects
With the exception of the previously discussed NHESP natural community and
DEP eelgrass mapping, comprehensive town-wide vegetation mapping has not
been completed to date.
4.5 Fisheries & Wildlife
4.5.1 General Inventory
“Cohasset‟s forest, wetland, and coastal habitats support a wide range of animal
species. Whitney and Thayer Woods and Wompatuck State Park offer habitat to a
variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. The many acres of
contiguous forest, increasingly rare in urbanized metropolitan areas, permit the
survival of “forest-interior” species such as box turtle, (a species of “Special
Concern”), hermit thrush, black-throated green warbler, and possibly fisher.
Because of the paucity of upland meadows and hayfields in Cohasset, associated
grassland birds and invertebrates are rare or absent. Scrub vegetation in a few
locations can provide habitat for species such as the eastern cottontail rabbit,
coyote, black racer, indigo bunting, and the yellow and black-billed cuckoos.
The rocky ocean coastline, salt marshes along the Gulf River, the tidal and mud
flats of Little Harbor and south of White Head, and the brackish waters of Straits
Pond support diverse communities of marine invertebrates, ocean fish, mollusks,
and birds… However, the once bountiful clam beds in the harbor have
disappeared, however mussels seem to survive.77
…Recreational ocean fishermen catch mackerel, bluefish, and striped bass, the
latter especially near the entrances to the Gulf River and Little Harbor. The only
commercial fishing industry remaining in Cohasset is for American lobster. Clam
harvesting in Little Harbor tidal flats collapsed some 20 to 30 years ago. The
tidal flats near White Head were re-opened for harvesting shellfish after 1996 but
closed temporarily in 2000 for regeneration. Cohasset‟s coastal bays, beaches,
and salt marshes provide resting and feeding areas for many migrant and some
nesting ducks, geese, shore birds, and waders, some of whom overwinter in
Cohasset. Some 15 to 20 nesting pairs of least tern [have been observed on
Pleasant Beach/Scott‟s Shore in recent years. The Town‟s red maple swamps,
hardwood forests, and open fields provide habitat for many other migrant and
nesting birds.
Cohasset‟s red maple swamps also provide habitat for species such as the star-
nosed mole and wood frog. The shallow ponds common in red maple and shrub
swamps typically have no fish. These ponds and small pools provide vernal pool
habitat for frog, salamander, turtle, and invertebrate species.
77 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
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Warm-water fish species such as largemouth bass, black crappie, and sunfish, as
well as painted and snapping turtles, northern water snakes, and many common
bird species are found in and around Lily Pond, the Aaron River Reservoir, and
Sanctuary Pond. The brooks and streams that drain from the uplands into the
ocean provide habitat for warm-water fish species, birds such as spotted
sandpiper and warbling vireo, and stream-breeding amphibians.”78
NHESP has established BioMap Habitat to identify the most critical areas whose
protection will protect the state’s biodiversity. Although the BioMap considers
state-listed plants and animals and significant natural communities, it also takes
into consideration more prevalent species and ecosystems. “The goal of the
BioMap is to promote strategic land protection by producing a map showing
areas, that if protected, would provide suitable habitat over the long term for the
maximum number of Massachusetts‟ terrestrial and wetland plant and animal
species and natural communities.”79 In Cohasset, there are four BioMap locations
that have been mapped by NHESP. The largest portion of BioMap Habitat
comprises the southwestern portion of town, encompassing Wompatuck State
Park and Whitney Woods. Other areas include a portion of Bound Brook and
associated wetlands southeast of Beechwood Street, a small area southwest of
Main Street and southeast of Beechwood Street, and Brush Island. BioMap
Supporting Natural Landscapes are located on Bound Brook; between James Hill,
Lily Pond, and Walnut Hill; and between Route 3A, South Main Street, and
Beechwood Street.
78 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
79 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/land_protection/biomap/biomap_home.htm viewed on March 26, 2009.
Town of Cohasset
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I
m
a
g
e
4.5.2 Vernal Pools
Vernal pool wildlife communities are very diverse. The pools are typically
ephemeral in nature, with water ponded through the spring but drying by the
middle to end of summer, although some pools do contain water year-round.
Such intermittent drying precludes fish from establishing permanent populations
within these wetlands; many amphibian and invertebrate species rely on breeding
habitat that is free of fish predators. Physical factors such as water temperature,
sunlight exposure, water acidity, and the duration of ponding all effect the type of
animal community inhabiting a pool.80 As of November 24, 2008, Cohasset has
18 certified vernal pools according to NHESP. This is twice the number of
certified vernal pools reported in the 2002 Cohasset Open Space and Recreation
Plan. However, based upon MassGIS information, there are an additional 86
potential vernal pools that may in fact be certifiable. Refer to Appendix C for
information regarding certification of vernal pools.
80 Leo P. Kenney and Matthew R. Burne, A Field Guide to the animals of Vernal Pools (Westborough, MA:
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 2001).
Image 4-3: NHESP BioMap. Viewed online at http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/BIOMAP/viewer.htm.
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4.5.3 Wildlife Migration Corridors
Wildlife corridors become increasingly important as natural areas are inevitably
divided by development. In the resulting isolated open spaces, the long-term
survival of various wildlife populations depends upon patch size, the number of
patches, and how isolated each patch is from the next. In order to conserve
biodiversity, it is imperative to maximize both the number and size of protected
individual natural areas, while maintaining bands of undisturbed lands to connect
them.
“Broad forested areas parallel to streams and rivers form natural wildlife
corridors. The Aaron River/Brass Kettle Brook/Bound Brook system forms the
core of Cohasset‟s most important wildlife corridor” that links the Aaron
Reservoir and Wompatuck State Park with Lily Pond, Bailey Conservation Land
in Scituate, and the Gulf River estuary system. Additional significant riparian
wildlife corridors include the Gulf River estuary and adjacent woodlands, a
tributary stream to the Gulf River, Rattlesnake Run and associated wetlands, and
the stream corridor flowing to Little Harbor within the Cabot & White
Conservation Land. The opening of Weir River Farm, which lies adjacent to
Turkey Hill, to the public by the Trustees of Reservations in 2000 created
contiguous open space connecting Turkey Hill, Whitney and Thayer Woods, and
Wompatuck State Park. 81
In general, the significant areas of contiguous “natural” areas within Cohasset and
adjacent communities are also likely to contain wildlife corridors. Conversely,
the recent reestablishment of the MBTA rail line through Cohasset may have
bisected and thus eliminated former wildlife corridors. Development also has the
potential to fragment corridors.
Although the above-discussion focuses on local wildlife corridors, parts of
Cohasset also play important roles in broader migratory corridors. Specifically,
coastal areas on the South Shore are renowned for their importance to migrating
birds. Essentially, any open space with cover and food is important to migrating
birds, while the waters of Massachusetts Bay proximate to Cohasset provide
important feeding habitat for terns during the summer. The air space above
Cohasset is full of migrating birds, although they may not touch down in
Cohasset, since many of the birds passing through Massachusetts during
migration do not follow narrow routes.
4.5.4 Rare Animal Species
NHESP has recent records for observations of Massachusetts Endangered Species
Act (MESA) listed animal species that include least tern (Sternula antillarum),
81 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
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umber shadowdragon (Neurocordulia obsolete), mocha emerald (Somatochlora
linearis), and attenuated bluet (Enallagma daeckii). Refer to Table 4-3.
Another rare animal species that has been observed in Cohasset, but is not listed
by NHESP is the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina).82 Rare animal species
found within the adjacent towns of Scituate, Hingham, and Hull provide a guide
for the types of rare species that might be found within Cohasset: piping plover
(Charadrius melodus), common tern (Sterna hirundo), arctic tern (Sterna
paradisaea), pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), barn owl (tyto alba),
purple tiger beetle (Cicindela purpurea), wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta),
comet darner (Anax longipes), and spartina borer moth (Spartiniphaga inops).83
In fact, although not mapped by NHESP as occurring in Cohasset, piping plovers
are believed to be present on Scott’s Shore and Sandy Cove.84
Table 4-3: Rare Animal Species within Cohasset85
E = Endangered T = Threatened SC = Special Concern
Taxonomic Group Scientific Name Common Name MESA Status Most Recent
Observation
Bird Gavia immer Common Loon SC 1922
Bird Sternula antillarum Least Tern SC 2007
Butterfly/Moth Cingilia catenaria Chain Dot
Geometer SC Historic
Butterfly/Moth Eacles imperialis Imperial Moth T Historic
Butterfly/Moth Spartiniphaga inops Spartina Borer
Moth SC Historic
Dragonfly/Damselfly Enallagma daeckii Attenuated Bluet SC 2003
Dragonfly/Damselfly Neurocordulia
obsoleta
Umber
Shadowdragon SC 2004
Dragonfly/Damselfly Somatochlora
linearis Mocha Emerald SC 2003
Source: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. October 1, 2008
82 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
83 Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. “Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.” 11 Feb.
2009 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/mesa_list/rare_occurrences.htm .
84 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
85 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/town_lists/town_c.htm#cohasset viewed on March 26, 2009.
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4.6 Scenic Resources and Unique Environments
4.6.1 Scenic Landscapes
“Cohasset has long been known for its picturesque landscapes of ocean, ledge,
and marsh. The drive along Jerusalem Road and Atlantic Avenue has been
famous since the 19th century for its scenic views of rocky coastline and offshore
islands.
Photo 4-3: View from Forest Avenue, photograph taken March 31, 2009
The Atlantic shore contrasts with the intimacy of Little Harbor, with its granite
islands, and the twists and turns of the Gulf River, fringed by salt marshes.
Photo 4-4: View of Little Harbor, photograph taken March 31, 2009
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The Town Common, set off by dignified historic buildings, communicates a classic
image of New England calm and simplicity. The Cohasset Town Common is often
considered to be among the finest surviving examples of an original New England
town common.”86
Photo 4-5: View of the Town Common, photograph taken June 4, 2009
Turkey Hill, which is nearly entirely surrounded by open space, lies on the
Cohasset-Hingham town boundary and offers broad views of Boston Harbor and
the Atlantic Ocean. Cohasset’s tallest point occurs within the 20 acres of the
Turkey Hill parcel that lie within the town. Turkey Hill was acquired with
cooperation between the Towns of Cohasset and Hingham, The Trustees of
Reservations, the Cohasset Conservation Trust, and the Hingham Land
Conservation Trust.
4.6.2 Unusual Features
“Cohasset‟s boulders, rocks, and ledges are intrinsic to the town‟s character.
Several of the most famous glacial erratics, Rooster Rock, Ode‟s Den, and
Bigelow Boulder, are already preserved within Whitney and Thayer Woods by
The Trustees of Reservations.”87 Ode's Den is named after Theodore "Ode"
Pritchard, who lived under one of the boulders after losing his home in 1830.
Bigelow Boulder is named in honor of the author of the first volume of The
Narrative History of Cohasset. Nearby, the Milliken Memorial Path was
86 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002 -2006, June 2001, Section
4.
87 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
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originally planted with flowering shrubs in the late 1920s by Arthur N. Milliken
as a memorial to his wife, Mabel Minott Milliken.88
Perhaps Cohasset’s most unusual feature is the reversing rapids under the Border
Street bridge. These rapids change direction with the tide between the harbor and
the Gulf River estuary.
Photo 4-6: Reversing Rapids, photograph taken March 31, 2009
4.6.3 Cultural, Archeological, and Historical Areas
“The two historic centers of settlement in Cohasset are the village and harbor
area, focusing on maritime pursuits, and the Beechwood area, which was once
the center of the town‟s agricultural life. The Town Common and Government
Island are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Historic Districts
and the Caleb Lothrup House (1821) is a National Register Individual Site. The
Town Common and surrounding historic churches and residences also comprise a
local historic district. The Joshua Bates house, dating from 1695, and a number
of 18th century houses are valuable historic resources. In addition to the colonial
and early national period buildings and sites in Cohasset, the Victorian mansions
built along Jerusalem Road and Atlantic Avenue represent examples of later,
significant historic architectural styles. The drive along Jerusalem Road became
famous in the late 19th century not only for the picturesque views of the rocky
shore and ocean, but also for the substantial homes perched on the rocks. Also
listed as a National Register Individual Site is the Hagerty House, located near
Sandy Beach. Built in 1938, the Hagerty House was designed in the international
style by Walter Gropius in association with Marcel Breuer.”89 See Appendix D
88 The Trustees of Reservations. “Whitney and Thayer Woods.” 17 Feb. 2009
<www.thetrustees.org/pages/392_whitney_and_thayer_woods.cfm>.
89 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
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for State and National Designated Historic Sites (including information from the
Massachusetts Archaeological and Cultural Information System).
In 1998, the Cohasset Historical Society also published A Quick Guide to
Cohasset Heritage Trail Houses 1695-1816. This guide lists the date of
construction, historic name, address, and a brief description about each of the 94
historic buildings and their occupants.
4.6.4 Unique Environments
The unique (for the greater Boston area) salt marsh ecosystem associated with
Straits Pond (located on the Cohasset/Hull town boundary) forms part of the Weir
River Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The Weir River ACEC
was designated as such not only for its ecosystem, but also due to development
pressure facing the area.90
The approximately 950 acres of the Weir River ACEC (which include areas in
Cohasset, Hingham, and Hull) support over 100 migratory and resident bird
species, numerous small mammals, and shellfish, which were historically
harvested and which continue to provide a food source for avian populations. A
diverse finfish population, including alewives, smelt, flounder, bluefish, and
striped bass, utilize the marshes and flats within this ACEC as nursery and
feeding areas. The Weir River estuary floodplain also protects adjacent areas
from flood damage.91, 92, 93
“Straits Pond is the innermost element of the estuary and the salinity of the water
is increasingly precarious. The pond suffers contamination from runoff and
leaching septic systems, resulting in sedimentation and eutrophication. It is also
subject to increasing residential development pressures in both Hull and
Cohasset. A municipal sewer system was installed in North Cohasset and will
improve the environmental health of Straits Pond, but may further contribute to
increasing development pressure.”94 Straits Pond is currently closed to fishing
due to coliform bacteria. The Straits Pond Watershed Association mission is “to
provide community input to governmental committees and agencies, and to
facilitate efforts to maintain and improve the environmental quality and the
90 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. “Weir River.” ACEC Designations. 30 Jan. 2009
<www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/acec/acecs/l-weiriv.htm>.
91 “Straits Pond Watershed Association,” The Weir River Watershed Association, Inc. 30 Jan. 2009.
<http://www.weirriver.org/>.
92 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. “Weir River.” ACEC Designations. 30 Jan. 2009
<www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/acec/acecs/l-weiriv.htm>.
93 Weir River Estuary Park Committee, “Weir River Estuary Land Protection Plan,” Dec. 2004, 17 Feb. 2009
<www.uhi.umb.edu/pdf_files/WREP_Protection_Plan_final_0202.pdf>.
94 Weir River Estuary Park Committee, “Weir River Estuary Land Protection Plan,” Dec. 2004, 17 Feb. 2009
<www.uhi.umb.edu/pdf_files/WREP_Protection_Plan_final_0202.pdf>.
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beauty of Straits Pond.”95 A restoration project through Coastal Zone
Management’s Wetland Restoration Program (in cooperation with others) for
Straits Pond began construction in September 2009.96 The project entails the
reconstruction and enlargement of a deteriorating culvert under Route 228, and is
anticipated to restore 94 acres of tidal pond habitat, improve tidal flows to the
estuary, and eliminate seasonal midge infestations.97 The Straits Pond Watershed
Association is also working to address the current algae bloom.
4.6.5 Cohasset Cemeteries
Cemeteries located in the Town of Cohasset contain public shade trees,
maintained lawns, and peaceful spaces that contribute to Cohasset’s history and
sense of rural character. A list of Cohasset Cemeteries is provided below: 98
Beechwood Cemetery – Beechwood/Doane Streets
Cedar Street Cemetery – Off Cedar Street between North Main and Hull Streets
(adjacent to the Cohasset Golf Club)
Central Cemetery – North Main Street/Joy Place
Green Gate Cemetery – Jerusalem Road
Woodside Cemetery – North Main Street
95 “Straits Pond Watershed Association,” The Weir River Watershed Association, Inc. 30 Jan. 2009.
<http://www.weirriver.org/>.
96 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
97 June 2009 CZ-Mail Newsletter, received via email June 3, 2009.
98 Richard Dennis Souther, “Cohasset Cemeteries,” Souther Family Association Home Page, 30 Jan. 2009
<www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/9785/cohasset.html>.
Photo 4-8: Marker of freed
slave in Woodside Cemetery,
photograph taken March 31,
2009
Photo 4-7: Cedar Street Cemetery,
photograph taken March 31, 2009
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4.7 Environmental Challenges
4.7.1 Hazardous Waste Sites
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) maintains a
database of sites in communities throughout the state where oil or other hazardous
material has been released and reported to DEP. According to DEP’s Waste
Site/Reportable Release database, updated through March 18, 2009, the Town of
Cohasset has 88 sites listed (refer to Appendix E), many of which have been
appropriately remediated.99
Wompatuck State Park contains contamination associated with a historic federal
defense facility (the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex). Although the
contamination lies within the portion of Wompatuck in Hingham, it is within the
watershed of Brass Kettle Brook and Lily Pond. Water quality testing led the
Army Corps of Engineers to conclude that the remaining contamination is
unlikely to migrate toward Lily Pond.100
4.7.2 Landfills
“The town owns a 10-acre landfill within a 44-acre parcel on Cedar Street. It
began operation in the 1940s as an open burning dump. Burning of waste ended
in the early 1970s but the landfill continued to receive municipal solid waste until
1989, when a transfer station and recycling center were constructed adjacent to
the landfill. Refuse is taken by a private contractor to the SEMASS Resource
Recovery Facility in Rochester, Massachusetts. The landfill capping has been
completed.”101
“Cohasset Heights Ltd. (CHL) owns a private landfill at 23 Crocker Lane.
Landfill operations began in 1976 under a previous owner, who sold the property
to CHL in 1982. The landfill was closed in 1998.”102 This facility is located in a
former gravel pit on the western side of Scituate hill that lies between the Great
Swamp and wetlands flowing to Brass Kettle Brook. 103 The Water Commission
requested Norfolk Environmental to study the potential contamination of the Lily
Pond watershed by CHL. This effort concluded that contaminants from CHL have
migrated about one-quarter mile from the landfill, to wells 8/8A and wells 7/7A.
The report also stated that further studies would be needed to fully characterize
the pattern of groundwater flow from the landfill. Norfolk Environmental also
99 Massachusetts Department of Envrionmnetal Protection, “Waste Site / Reportable Releases Look Up,” 21 Feb.
2009 <http://db.state.ma.us/dep/cleanup/sites/search.asp>.
100 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
101 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
102 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
103 Office of Geographic and Environmental Information, “MassGIS,” Metadata for Solid Waste Facility Datalayer.,
17 Feb. 2009 <www.mass.gov/mgis/laylist.htm>.
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has confirmed the existence of two north/south trending bedrock fractures which
could allow contaminated leachate from CHL to drain toward Brass Kettle Brook,
which is tributary to Lily Pond.104 An expansion to the landfill had been
proposed, however this request was denied and the landfill is now capped, closed,
and monitored.105
4.7.3 Erosion/Sedimentation
The majority of the coastline is rocky or contains salt marsh, so erosion along the
shore is not a major problem. However, erosion and movement of the dunes at
Sandy Beach has resulted in issues related to keeping the adjacent roadway clear
of sand. There is an order from the Environmental Protection Agency dictating
what the Town of Cohasset and the Sandy Beach Association is allowed to
undertake with regard to clearing the parking lot and roadway of sand.
Additionally, salt marshes in the harbor are calving for unknown reasons. Sandy
Cove represents one of the few accreting beaches.106 Both Straits Pond and Little
Harbor experience sedimentation from stormwater run-off.
4.7.4 Chronic Flooding
Cohasset has a draft Flood Control Master Plan that is currently under review by
the Board of Selectmen. Areas of chronic flooding were identified prior to the
2008 Annual Town Meeting and include: Rattlesnake Run at Jerusalem Road,
Deep Run & Haystack, Jerusalem Road near Richardson’s Brook, North Main
near old Edison Plant, Jerusalem Road near Bow Street, Sohier Street yards,
Sohier Street at Railroad, Sanctuary Pond at Outfall Spillway, Smith Place, Sandy
Beach Road, The Hollow, Treats Pond, Magin Street, Jacob’s Meadow, and
Stewarts Brook at Sestito Lane. Generally, development/re-development within
flood zone is controlled by insurance rates and building code/zoning regulations.
Additionally, comprehensive recommendations made by the Flood Control
Master Plan may help to reduce losses due to chronic flooding.107
4.7.5 Growth Impacts
Between 2001 and 2009, the town has lost forest lands and unprotected open
space to residential and commercial development. Refer to Section 3.9 for a
discussion of recent development projects undertaken in Cohasset.
104 Norfolk RAM Group, “Where Your Drinking Water Comes From,” Cohasset Water Department Consumer
Confidence Report Map, 30 Jan. 2008, 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.cohassetwater.org/pdf/2008CCRMap.pdf>.
105 Personal communication, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, May 28, 2009
106 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
107 Coughlin Environmental Services, LLC, “Town of Cohasset Flood Control Master Plan,” 2008, 17 Feb. 2009
<www.townofcohasset.org/FloodControlMasterPlan.html>.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-30
The number of potential buildable lots in Cohasset has increased due to the
expansion of sewer services and changes in private septic technology, as well as
advances in the ability to blast areas of bedrock.
4.7.6 Ground & Surface Water Pollution
Cohasset maintains spill control equipment to address potential oil releases with
potential to affect the water supply, and activities proximate to wetlands and
water bodies are subject to the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission.
Several water bodies in Cohasset are presently polluted, including Straits Pond,
where fishing is not allowed due to coliform bacteria, and Little Harbor, which no
longer contains productive shellfish beds. Stormwater runoff pollutes all water
bodies in Cohasset to some degree. One particular area of pollution is the outfall
from Jacob’s Meadow into the harbor.108 Although proposed, the boat pump-out
station noted in the prior OSRP as being installed at the town pier at Government
Island was never constructed. However, Cohasset does maintain a pump-out
boat.109 However, Cohasset’s coastal waters have been designated as a “No
Discharge Area” for boat sewage. The recent expansion of sewer services will
also decrease water pollution, as failing septic systems can result in significant
impacts, including bacterial and nutrient contamination, to ground and surface
water bodies. Additionally, the recently adopted Stormwater Management Bylaw
will also enhance ground and surface water protection. The Town of Cohasset
has installed over 50 rain gardens to address stormwater runoff and to educate the
public regarding Low Impact Stormwater Management techniques.
Drinking Water Supply Protection
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has prepared
a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the water supply
sources serving the Cohasset Water Department. The SWAP Report notes that
the key issues for water supply protection are:
protection of Zone A
protecting the watershed outside Cohasset
public education
control of residential uses that might contaminate the watershed110
The report commends Cohasset for mapping storm drains, conducting a study on
the health of Lily Pond, and taking preliminary steps to develop a lawn care
program. The Water Commission plans to address the protection
108 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
109 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Re creation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
110 Norfolk RAM Group, “Where Your Drinking Water Comes From,” Cohasset Water Department Consumer
Confidence Report Map, 30 Jan. 2008, 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.cohassetwater.org/pdf/2008CCRMap.pdf>.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-31
recommendations by implementing all the SWAP recommendations and by
implementing a Surface Water Supply Protection Plan that was completed and
approved by DEP in 2002. The complete SWAP report is available at the Water
Department website.111
The Cohasset Water Department recommends the following steps for protecting
drinking water supplies:
1. Inspect your septic system every 1-3 years to make sure it is working
properly. Pump out your septic tank as necessary, but at least once every
5 years.
2. Recycle used motor oil by bringing it to the Cohasset Recycling Transfer
Facility or to the store where you bought it. NEVER pour used motor oil
on the ground or down the drain!
3. Dispose of household hazardous waste properly at the next Household
Hazardous Waste Day. NEVER pour hazardous materials down the drain,
on the ground, street, or storm drains. Call the Board of Health at 383-
4116 or visit www.ssrc.info to find out when the next HHW day is.
4. NEVER dump grass and yard waste into storm drains. Grass clippings
and yard waste contain nutrients that can promote weed growth.
5. Reduce the use of fertilizers and herbicides on your lawn. Use only slow -
release fertilizers. Have your soil tested to determine how much fertilizer
to apply. Water fertilizers in with a hose and do not apply before a
rainfall. Visit www.nswra.org for more information.
6. Clean your car at a car wash instead of in your driveway. This will
prevent any soaps, polishes, waxes and other chemicals from draining into
storm drains and into the water supply.
7. Use water wisely. Avoid over-watering your lawn.
8. Watch out for any activities that might contaminate the water supply, and
report any suspected contamination to the Water Department (383-0057).
the Board of Health (383-4116), or the Fire Department (383-0260)112
The Water Department is performing the following tasks to protect drinking
water:
Regularly monitor water quality in tap water and in the surface water and
groundwater of the watershed.
Keep track of known potential sources of contamination within the
watershed and take action to remediate them.
Review all proposed developments in the watershed.
111 Cohasset Water Department, “Cohasset Water and Sewer System Improvements,” 30 Jan. 2009
<www.cohassetwater.org>.
112 Norfolk RAM Group, “Where Your Drinking Water Comes From,” Cohasset Water Department Consumer
Confidence Report Map, 30 Jan. 2008, 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.cohassetwater.org/pdf/2008CCRMap.pdf>.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-32
Acquire land in the watershed to protect it from development. Propose
changes in bylaws and zoning to protect water quality.
Implement the recommendations of the Water Commission's 2002 Surface
Water Supply Protection Plan and the Source Water Assessment Program
report.113
4.7.7 Impaired Water Bodies
The following waters in Cohasset are listed as impaired based upon the
Massachusetts Year 2008 Integrated List of Waters:
The Aaron River Reservoir has a TMDL for metals and is also listed as
impaired due to flow alteration
Little Harbor has a TMDL for pathogens
Aaron River is listed for noxious aquatic species, exotic species, and flow
alteration
Herring Brook is listed for flow alteration and exotic species
Cohasset Cove requires a TMDL for pathogens
Cohasset Harbor requires a TMDL for pathogens
The Gulf requires a TMDL for pathogens
Lily Pond requires a TMDL for flow alteration, turbidity, and exotic
species
The Aaron River Reservoir was removed from the Integrated List for mercury.
During 2007, the Cohasset Harbor Health Committee continued to work with
local, state, and federal environmental agencies to evaluate Cohasset Harbor and
identify possible sources of pollution and recommend solutions. Monitoring and
testing is conducted by Coastal Zone Management, Massachusetts Bays National
Estuary Program, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of
Environmental Protection. The EPA once again designated Cohasset Harbor as
part of its Clean New England Beach Initiative and conducted targeted testing
upstream in tributaries as well as within the Harbor. Ongoing work is being
conducted through the implementation of a stormwater plan to reduce high
bacterial counts reported in tributaries to Cohasset’s harbors.114,115
113 Norfolk RAM Group, “Where Your Drinking Water Comes From,” Cohasset Water Department Consumer
Confidence Report Map, 30 Jan. 2008, 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.cohassetwater.org/pdf/2008CCRMap.pdf>.
114 Town of Cohasset, “2007 Cohasset Town Report,” 2007.
115 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 20 09.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-33
4.7.8 Invasive Species
In Massachusetts, invasive plants are defined as those that are exotic in origin and
have the ability to out-compete native vegetation.116 Invasive plant species are a
significant threat to biodiversity, and are of increasing concern within the south
coastal region. Although both plants and animals can be invasive species, the
discussion of invasive species within this report focuses mainly on invasive plant
species, as invasive animal species are not likely to be present in sufficient
numbers to pose a serious and immediate hazard to Cohasset’s natural resources.
However, several animal species, both invasive and native are becoming
nuisances to Cohasset residents as the animals’ habitat and travel corridors are
decreased by development pressure. Specifically, Canada Geese waste creates
issues on athletic fields; wild turkeys harass passing vehicles and pedestrians;
deer consume decorative landscape plants; and coyotes and fishers prey upon cats
and small dogs.
Generally, invasive plants utilize prolific seed production and/or vegetative
expansion of populations with vines or underground runners, or may alter the
hydrology, fire regime, soil and water chemistry, and topography of natural
systems to outcompete native species. Because these species originate from
outside Massachusetts, and oftentimes outside the United States, natural
competitors are not present to check the plants’ growth.
Common reed (Phragmites australis), is an example of an extremely invasive
perennial grass with low habitat value that outcompetes other wetland vegetation
in many disturbed areas, including coastal areas. Examples of common reed
colonies in Cohasset can be found in the meadow behind the Historical Society on
South Main Street, on Whitehead Road, 117 in Treats Pond, and in Straits Pond, as
well as in every salt marsh in Town.118
116 Invasive Plants in Massachusetts brochure produced by the Town of Orleans Invasive Species Committee
117 Open Space & Recreation Committee, Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan 2002-2006, June 2001, Section
4.
118 Karen Quigley, Board of Selectmen Liaison to Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, Town of
Cohasset, email correspondence, 27 September 2009.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-34
Photo 4-9: View of common reed infestation in Treats Pond, photograph taken March 31, 2009
Additional invasive plant species likely to have significant populations in
Cohasset include:
Purple loosestrife
Oriental bittersweet
Japanese knotweed
Common buckthorn
Winged Euonymus (Burning bush)
Due to their insidious and aggressive nature, the spread of invasive species is
often extremely difficult to control, and complete eradication of existing
populations can be nearly impossible. The sooner that action is taken against
invasive species (preferably prior to the establishment of a large population), the
greater the likelihood of success is. Although the State implemented a ban on the
sale and importation of over 140 invasive plants on January 1, 2006, existing
invasive plant populations continue to spread. Control/eradication options are
species-specific, but often entail the use of herbicides, sometimes in addition to
other control measures, including mowing, burning, covering with black plastic,
and excavation.
Invasive species are present on various Town-owned parcels. Identification of
existing populations and management actions to remove or control their
populations through a coordinated public/private effort would be beneficial.
Additionally, a public education campaign could make property owners, facility
managers, and commercial groundskeepers aware of invasive species and the
benefits of helping to control and remove these species.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Environmental Inventory & Analysis 4-35
4.7.9 Environmental Equity
There appears to be equitable access to Cohasset’s open space and recreational
resources, including geological features, varied topography, vegetation
communities, wetlands, and cultural landscapes. This is achieved through public
parks and land directly owned by the Town of Cohasset, the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and land owned and managed by the Trustees of Reservations and
other land trusts that permit public access. However, direct access to coastal
Environmental resources appears to be underdeveloped due to private ownership
on the Town’s waterfront and coastal waters.
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 5.0
Inventory of Lands of Conservation & Recreational Interest
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Inventory of Lands of Conservation & Recreational Interest 5-1
5.0 INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION & RECREATIONAL INTEREST
The following section details specifically where open space resources and recreational amenities
are located in the Town of Cohasset. Open space means different things to different people. It
can range from a cemetery, forested area, farm, park or walking trail, for example. Recreational
amenities might include playgrounds, playing fields, running paths or bicycle trails.
Open space in a community is valuable for several reasons. Land is a finite resource; preserving
and maintaining open space area helps define community character and provides habitat areas
and corridors for wildlife and plants. In addition, particularly in the Town of Cohasset, open
space protects drinking water supplies.
Open space data was obtained from MassGIS, the Cohasset Assessors Department (non-taxable
lands), and Norfolk Ram, which is working with the Town of Cohasset Water Department
regarding conservation restrictions on land surrounding drinking water supplies.
The open space and recreation inventory column headings include:
Location: Indicates the address, if available.
Acres: Total number of acres or a close approximation. One acre equals 43,560 square feet.
Owner: Name of the property owner.
Management: Entity responsible for managing the property.
Zoning: Zoning Districts based upon “Town of Cohasset Massachusetts Zoning District Map”
dated March 2002.
Grant Received/Funding: Denotes whether grants or other funding was utilized for the
property.
Level of Protection: Notes whether the site, if by virtue of zoning, or by the receipt of state or
federal funding, is protected from sale and development. MassGIS notes the following
characteristics about level of protection:
Permanent (In Perpetuity) – Legally protected in perpetuity and recorded in a property’s
deed. Public land is typically in perpetuity if it is owned by the Conservation
Commission, if there is a conservation restriction on the property, if it is owned by a State
conservation agency, if it is owned by a non-profit land trust or if state or federal monies
were used to purchase or improve the property. Private land is in perpetuity if it has a
deed restriction in perpetuity, if there is an agricultural preservation restriction, or if there
is a conservation restriction on the property.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Inventory of Lands of Conservation & Recreational Interest 5-2
Temporary – Legally protected for less than perpetuity (short term conservation
restriction) or temporarily protected through a functional use. Example: water district
lands are only temporarily protected while water resource protection is their primary use.
Limited – Protected by legal mechanisms other than those listed above. Land might be
protected by a requirement of a majority municipal vote for change in status or Chapter
61 land.
Unknown – Should be researched through the property deed to see if any protection level
is listed.
For the purposes of the updated Cohasset OSRP, the levels of protection defined above have
been used.
Public Access: Notes whether or not the site is open to public use.
Type of Facility/Condition: Details what kind of condition the site or facility is in and for what
the site might be used (ballfields, beach, etc.). Includes name of facility, if available.
Open Space for the purposes of the 2009 Cohasset update is defined as both
protected/unprotected and public/private undeveloped and recreational areas, including, but not
limited to: conservation and wildlife habitat areas, coastal waters, rivers, brooks, and ponds and
waterfront property; watershed protection lands, forests, fields, cemeteries, farms, parks;
playgrounds and recreational and athletic playing fields.
5.1 Types of Open Space and Recreation Land Protection
In this section of the OSRP update, areas in Cohasset that are significant for their open
space, natural resource or recreational amenities have been highlighted. The inventory is
inclusive of private and public sites (both developed and undeveloped) and is meant to be
comprehensive.
The types of programs below illustrate different types of protection that could be
available to property in Cohasset. Some of these programs are already in use. Often,
innovative land development bylaws may be used to create open space areas, and a
summary of one such tool (Transfer of Development Rights) is also provided below.
Article 97 Protection: Article 97 protects publicly owned lands used for conservation or
recreation purposes. In order for a property to be sold, transferred or converted to a
different use, Article 97 requires a vote of the Town (Conservation Commission, Parks
Department, or other, whichever is appropriate) in which the land use would be changed,
a 2/3 vote at Town Meeting or City Council in support of the disposition, a 2/3 vote of
the legislature in support of the disposition, and compliance with applicable funding
sources must be demonstrated. The municipality must also file an Environmental
Notification Form with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Inventory of Lands of Conservation & Recreational Interest 5-3
Conservation Restriction: A conservation restriction is an agreement that is bound
legally between a landowner and a “holder” or grantee. The landowner agrees to limit
the amount and/or use of a specific property in order to protect the unique or specific
conservation values that are evident on the property or important to the landowner or
“holder”. A specified amount of time for the conservation restriction can be noted, or the
conservation restriction can be in perpetuity. A conservation restriction is recorded at the
Registry of Deeds.
Easements: An easement is typically listed on a property deed and it allows permanent
access to a property for a specific purpose. It is a right of use, not a right of possession.
Chapter 61: Chapter 61 encourages preservation of agricultural, recreation and forest
land in Massachusetts. Landowners can ensure the long-term protection of their property
by receiving a tax benefit if they agree to the terms of Chapter 61. If an owner wants to
take property out of Chapter 61 designation, the Town can recover the tax benefits given
and it also has the right of first refusal to purchase the property if the land is sold for
residential, commercial or industrial purposes.
Transfer of Development Rights: Although not itself a form of protection, Transfer of
Development Rights (TDR) can be used in conjunction with the protection programs
described above to ensure that appropriate and meaningful open space is preserved in
conjunction with development. The Massachusetts Smart Growth/Smart Energy Tool Kit
very simple defines the concept of Transfer of Development Rights as follows:
Transfer of Development Rights (TDR): A system that assigns development rights to
parcels of land and gives landowners the option of using those rights to develop or to sell
their land.
TDRs are used to promote conservation and protection of land by giving landowners the
right to transfer the development rights of one parcel that may be suitable for
conservation purposes to another parcel that may be more appropriate for development.
By selling development rights, a landowner concedes the right to develop his/her
property, but the buyer could use the rights to develop another piece of land at a greater
intensity than would otherwise be permitted.
Prior to implementing TDR in Cohasset, additional information and analysis would be
required. For example, an evaluation of the amount of land area that is available for
protection as “sending parcels”, an assessment of the general acceptability in the town to
increase density in other areas, as well as a determination of the capacity of the town to
administer the technique, would be required. While an increasing number of towns in
Massachusetts have adopted the technique, it may not be appropriate for all.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-4
5.2 Open Space Inventory
The following table is a listing of open space and recreation resources located in the Town of Cohasset. These
resources are illustrated on Map 7. Also refer to Appendix F for the results of the ADA accessibility study for all
municipally-owned conservation and recreation facilities. Table 5-1 was compiled from a variety of sources, including
Assessor’s information, the prior OSRP, information provided by the Cohasset Conservation Trust, and information
provided by the Open Space & Recreation Committee.
Table 5-1: Inventory of Areas of Conservation and Recreation Interest – Town of Cohasset119
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
55-150
1 AARON RIVER RD 22.00
Cohasset Town
of/Cohasset Water
Commissioners
RC
59-014
ANDRUS
ISLAND
3.02
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity No Andrus Island
29-034
ATLANTIC AV
2.58
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RC Perpetuity No Blake Holmes
Property
22-016
ATLANTIC AV
0.62
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RC Scott’s Shore
24-002
ATLANTIC AV
1.79
Sandy Beach
Association
RC None Yes,
Parking
Sandy Beach/Good
24-001X
353 ATLANTIC AV
2.90
Sandy Beach
Association
RC Limited Yes,
parking
Good
119 This inventory was compiled from a list of non-taxable parcels provided by the Cohasset Assessors Department on March 26, 2009, conservation
restriction information from Norfolk Ram (Cohasset Water Department), and MassGIS.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-5
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
22-015
429 ATLANTIC AV
2.38
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RC Perpetuity Yes Scott’s Shore/Good
28-034
ATLANTIC AVE
WEST
7.73
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RC Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
at Town
Hall
Dean Meadows
Addition/Good
38-003
BANCROFT RD
9.38
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DPW RA Limited Yes,
Parking
Milliken Bancroft
Field/Good
28-041
BEACH ST
0.95
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RC Perpetuity Yes summer Smith
Property/Good
28-042A
BEACH ST
0.68
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
28-042A
BEACH ST
0.81
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
rc
54-019
BEECHWOOD ST
4.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
54-024
BEECHWOOD ST
1.00
Cohasset Town
of/Cohasset Water
Commissioners
RB
54-025
BEECHWOOD ST
5.50
Cohasset Town
of/Cohasset Water
Commissioners
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-6
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
56-012
BEECHWOOD ST
0.50
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
56-052A
BEECHWOOD ST
6.72
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
60-012
BEECHWOOD ST
2.50
Cohasset Town
of/Cohasset Water
Commissioners
61-002
BEECHWOOD ST
2.50
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
46-017
BEECHWOOD ST
1.00
Vedanta Centre Inc
RB None No Vedanta Centre
Retreat
46-014 BEECHWOOD ST
11.30
Vedanta Centre Inc
RB
50-035
BEECHWOOD ST
0.13
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
54-026
BEECHWOOD ST
1.49
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
56-048
BEECHWOOD ST
0.90
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
56-050
BEECHWOOD ST
0.13
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-7
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
56-052A
BEECHWOOD ST
1.50
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
53-074
BEECHWOOD ST
2.31
Maxwell Land Trust
LTD
BEECHWOOD ST 5 Cohasset Land
Foundation
OPEN SPACE
ABUTTING
GEORGE M.
INGRAM PARK
46-015
130 BEECHWOOD
ST
8.70
Vedanta Centre Inc
RB Perpetuity No Vedanta Centre
Retreat
54-100
345 BEECHWOOD
ST
0.15
Cohasset Town
of/Cohasset Water
Commissioners
55-009
BEECHWOOD/DOA
NE STS
4.40
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DPW RA Limited Yes Beechwood
Cemetery/Good
55-030
BEECHWOOD/DOA
NE STS
3.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DPW RA Limited Yes Beechwood
Ballpark/Good
47-010
BEECHWOOD/LOC
UST STS
0.39
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
Beechwood
St/Norman Todd Rd
20 Cohasset Conservation
Trust
George M. Ingram
Park
01S-107
BLACK ROCK
RD
0.23
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-8
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
01S-103
BLACK ROCK
RD
0.42
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
01S-109
REAR BLACK
ROCK RD
0.21
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
32-020
32 BORDER ST
0.19
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
Harbor
Department
WB Limited Yes Lawrence
Wharf/Good
85-047
REAR BOULDER LN
1.99
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
54-009
BOUND BROOK
LN
5.05
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity Limited Barbara Churchill
Conservation Area
52-008A
C J CUSHING
HWY
5.00
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity No Adams Property
41-070
C J CUSHING
HWY
0.42
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
41-073
C J CUSHING
HWY
0.39
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
41-074
C J CUSHING
HWY
0.36
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
41-075
C J CUSHING
HWY
0.38
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-9
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
41-076
C J CUSHING
HWY
0.38
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
41-077
C J CUSHING
HWY
0.40
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
74-001X
C J CUSHING
HWY
4.47
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
42-040
C J CUSHING
HWY
1.08
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
42-041
C J CUSHING
HWY
8.72
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
74-007T
C J CUSHING
HWY
8.98
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Auth
74-008T
C J CUSHING
HWY
7.12
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Auth
74-020
C J CUSHING
HWY
26.60
Massachusetts
Commonwealth of /
Dept of Conservation
& Recreation
74-022
C J CUSHING
HWY
2.18
Cohasset Town of
74-021
C J CUSHING
HWY
4.47
Trustees of
Reservations
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-10
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
74-009
110 C J CUSHING
HWY
5.30
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Auth
05-048
81 91 CEDAR ST
19.35
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DPW RC Yes Recylcing &
Transfer
Facility/Good
55-036
CHURCH &
DOANE ST
0.50
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
55-050
CHURCH ST
0.67
Beechwood
Congregational Church
RA
55-052
CHURCH ST
1.81
Cohasset Town
of/Water Commission
55-090
51 CHURCH ST
0.55
Beechwood
Congregational Church
RA
19-020
COHASSET
3.70
Cohasset Central
Cemetery / Eleanor
Tower Campbell
Trustees of
Cemeteries
RB Limited
Yes Cohasset Central
Cemetery/Good
27-001X COHASSET
0.14
St Stephen’s Parish
RB
72-008 COHASSET
2.09
Massachusetts
Commonwealth of
NT
73-003 COHASSET
2.73
Massachusetts
Commonwealth of
RC
06-025B
COHASSET
10.93
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Wheelwright
Woods/Good
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-11
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
19-042
COHASSET
6.31
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB Limited View
from
cemetery
Salt Marsh/Good
27-001Y
COHASSET
0.89
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB Limited Yes,
parking
Town
Common/Good
54-027
COHASSET
19.02
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Beechwood
Watershed
56-049
COHASSET
0.02
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
57-012
COHASSET
3.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Limited Aaron River
Watershed
57-013
COHASSET
6.30
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
Watershed
57-014
COHASSET
7.20
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
Watershed
57-015
COHASSET
5.30
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Watershed
57-016
COHASSET
0.60
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Watershed
05-RR
COHASSET
24.08
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Auth
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-12
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
18-076
CONSTITUTION
PARK
0.39
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
73-004 30 CROCKER LN
9.37
Massachusetts
Commonwealth of
NT
56-014
DOANE ST
1.00
Cohasset Town of /
C/O Board of Water
Comm.
56-015
DOANE ST
2.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
56-016
DOANE ST
1.90
Cohasset Town of /
C/O Cohasset Water
Comm.
56-016A
DOANE ST
4.00
Cohasset Town of /
C/O Board of Water
Comm.
85-002
DOANE ST
0.50
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-003
DOANE ST
3.80
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-004
DOANE ST
6.60
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-005
DOANE ST
3.25
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-13
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
85-006
DOANE ST
2.25
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-015
DOANE ST
3.54
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-018
DOANE ST
0.81
Cohasset Town
of/Water Commission
85-019
DOANE ST
1.50
Cohasset Town
of/Water Commission
85-020
REAR DOANE ST
1.50
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
38-142X
ELEAZERS LN
0.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
27-112
ELM ST
0.42
Cohasset Town of /
C/O Water & Sewer
Dept.
RA
27-036
4 ELM ST
0.18
Cohasset Historical
Society / Wilson
House
DB Yes Wilson House &
Maritime
Museum/Good
27-016-003
43 ELM ST 3
0.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-14
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
32-063
43 R ELM ST
1.46
Cohasset Town of /
C/O Board of Sewer
Comm
RA
27-057
44 ELM ST
1.01
Cohasset Town of /
C/O Police & Fire
Dept
RB
27-058
60 ELM ST
3.23
Cohasset Housing
Authority
RB
27-056
72 ELM ST
1.24
Cohasset Housing
Authority
RA
11-082
FOREST AV
0.38
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
13-008
FOREST AV
6.00
Cohasset Boy Scouts /
Troup 28 Inc C/O
Merle Brown
RC None Yes Boy Scout Land,
Wheelwright
Woods/Good
13-001
REAR FOREST AV
32.13
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
Perpetuity Barnes Wildlife
Area
06-003
REAR FOREST AV
13.53
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DPW RB Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Wheelwright
Woods/GOOD
09-024
387 FOREST AV
0.29
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB Limited Yes Black Rock
Beach/GOOD
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-15
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
27-081
GREAT BREWSTER
TRAIL
18.16
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
at Town
Hall
Great Brewster
Park/Good
13-019
25 HEATHER DR
0.84
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
27-104 16 HIGHLAND AV
0.65
St Stephen’s Church
RB
27-088
29 HIGHLAND AV
0.22
St Stephens Episcopal
Church
RB
27-089
41 HIGHLAND AV
1.31
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
27-090
43 HIGHLAND AV
0.23
Cohasset
Congregational Church
RB
31-013
150 HOWARD
GLEASON RD
8.50
Jesuit Community at
Boston Col
RC None No Bellamine House,
salt marsh
67-002
HOWES RD
2.55
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
01-054
245 HULL ST
0.25
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DPW DB Yes Former Fire Station
Lot/Poor
18-004
JAMES LN
0.39
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DB
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-16
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
38-150
22 JAMES LN
11.10
Cohasset Town of /
Elms Meadow
Water
Department
Limited No Watershed/Good
10-114
JERUSALEM RD
0.30
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity
Francis Shore,
Rocky Beach
09-039
JERUSALEM RD
3.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB None Yes Straits Pond
Land/Overgrown
09-040
JERUSALEM RD
3.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
19-035
JERUSALEM RD
0.64
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB Limited Limited Good
09-026
JERUSALEM RD
0.77
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
19-036
45 JERUSALEM RD
0.61
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity No Guggio Scenic
Overlook/Good
17-009
339 JERUSALEM RD
2.80
Congregation of the
Sisters of / St Joseph
of Boston
RB
17-002
377 JERUSALEM
RD
0.42
Congregation of the
Sisters of / St Joseph
of Boston
RB Perpetuity Clapp Road
property
01-050
811 JERUSALEM
RD
1.12
South Shore Hellenic
Church Inc
RA
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-17
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
01-051
819 JERUSALEM
RD
0.25
South Shore Hellenic
Church Inc
RA
01-052
821 JERUSALEM
RD
0.13
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
59-011
KING ST
3.50
Cohasset Town of /
C/O Cohasset Water
Comm
RC
59-012
KING ST
5.50
Cohasset Town of /
Water Commission
RC
59-013
KING ST
2.50
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB Watershed
60-002
KING ST
2.45
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Perpetuity Watershed
60-003
KING ST
3.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Perpetuity Watershed
65-002
KING ST
5.20
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Limited
Watershed
65-007
KING ST
2.15
Cohasset Town of/
C/O Water
Commission
RB Perpetuity
65-008 KING ST
5.50
Cohasset Town of
HB
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-18
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
65-010 KING ST
6.80
Cohasset Town of
RC
65-018
KING ST
9.80
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
66-004
KING ST
3.50
Cohasset Town of/
C/O Water
Commission
RC Perpetuity brass kettle brook
66-005
KING ST
4.50
Cohasset Town of/
C/O Water Comm
RC
66-006
KING ST
9.30
Cohasset Town of/
C/O Water
Commission
RC Limited
66-007
KING ST
20.43
Cohasset Town of/
C/O Water
Commission
HB Perpetuity
72-001
KING ST
5.50
Cohasset Town
of/Water Commission
RC
72-002
KING ST
3.00
Cohasset Town of/
Water Commission
RC
79-001
KING ST
4.60
Trustees of
Reservations
RC
41-001X
KING ST
0.63
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-19
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
59-001
KING ST
1.40
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Perpetuity Lily Pond
Watershed
70-001X
KING ST
4.86
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
HB
85-035
KING ST
16.74
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-036
KING ST
0.72
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-037
KING ST
5.20
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-038
KING ST
6.78
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-016
KING ST
0.75
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
85-017
KING ST
2.75
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
71-016
KING ST
16.50
Trustees of
Reservations
RC Perpetuity Yes Bancroft Bird
Sanctuary
60-011
KING ST
5.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
65-006B KING ST
4.01
Cohasset Town of
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-20
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
65-001 KING ST
9.10
Cohasset Town of
RC Limited
60-007
REAR KING ST
2.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Watershed
65-019
REAR KING ST
3.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
65-025A
231 R KING ST
4.80
Trustees of
Reservations
RC
65-009 301 R KING ST
6.00
Cohasset Town of
60-001
339 KING ST
5.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Perpetuity Watershed
85-021
KING ST WEST
0.29
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
65-030
KING ST/DOANE
ST
527.00
Trustees of
Reservations
RC Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Whitney & Thayer
Woods/Good
30-020
MARGIN ST
0.21
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
Harbor
Department
MF Limited
Yes Margin Street
Town Pier/Good
53-056 MILL LN
0.33
Cohasset Town of
RB
74-001Z
N MAIN ST/C J
CUSH
20.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DPW RC Limited Yes Woodside
Cemetery/Good
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-21
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
46-018
50 NORMAN TODD
RD
2.45
Vedanta Centre Inc
05-003
NORTH MAIN ST
4.29
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
LI Perpetuity Limited Albert A. Golden
Memorial Swamp
15-052
NORTH MAIN ST
0.10
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
05-016B
NORTH MAIN ST
0.05
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
LI
05-070
NORTH MAIN ST
2.10
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
05-050T
NORTH MAIN ST
0.02
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
05-080T
NORTH MAIN ST
0.60
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
05-070T
NORTH MAIN ST
2.10
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
04-050T
NORTH MAIN ST
0.21
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
04-060T
NORTH MAIN ST
0.45
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-22
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
15-013
169-185 NORTH
MAIN ST
8.85
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB None Yes Little League field,
Gravel Pits/Good
40-024
REAR NORTH
MAIN ST
0.48
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
74-001Y
REAR NORTH
MAIN ST
0.11
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
18-081
19 NORTH MAIN ST
0.59
First Parish in
Cohasset
RB
27-001Z
30 NORTH MAIN
ST
0.00
First Parish Meeting
House
14-013
309 NORTH MAIN
ST
0.21
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
39-067
REAR OLD
PASTURE RD
14.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
65-035
OLD ROAD
2.00
Cohasset Town of /
Cohasset Water
Commissioners
37-011
40 PARKER AV
2.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Limited Yes Town Landing
Ramp (Hagerty’s)
18-002
25 PARKINGWAY
1.05
Cohasset Town of
DB
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-23
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
50-024 PINE RIDGE RD
0.62
Cohasset Town of
HB
39-064
13 PLEASANT ST
0.33
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
18-014
PLEASANT
ST/JAMES LN
0.72
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DB
41-001
143 POND ST
18.00
Cohasset Town of
CMHS / Cohasset
Middle High School
School/DPW RB Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Cohasset High
School/Good
48-001X
POND ST AT
SPRING ST
0.12
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB None Skating Pond
52-004
POND ST/C J C
WAY
3.70
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity Limited Anne & Daniel
Campbell Meadow
15-030
22 RED GATE LN
0.23
Second Congregational
Church
RB
41-017
RESERVOIR RD
4.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
Water
Department
RB Water Tower
38-001 RESERVOIR RD
6.65
Cohasset Town of
RB None
18-033
35 RIPLEY RD
3.71
Cohasset Town
of/Joseph Osgood
School
School/DPW RA Limited Yes,
Parking
Osgood Elementary
School/Good
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-24
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
18-015-001
119 RIPLEY RD
0.00
South Shore Art
Center
DB
35-029
RIVER RD
4.70
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity No Dormitzer Marsh
54-033
40 RIVERVIEW DR
0.74
Cohasset Town of /
Cohasset Water
Commissioners
71-010
22 ROCKY LN
1.35
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
32-043
SANKEY RD
1.65
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RA pelletier park
32-046
SANKEY RD
2.80
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
15-001
SOHIER ST
0.84
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
40-001T
SOHIER ST
0.02
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
40-002
SOHIER ST
23.17
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DB
15-002
REAR SOHIER ST
4.06
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-25
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
40-022
REAR SOHIER ST
26.50
Cohasset Town
of/Conservation
Commission
RB
39-088
REAR SOHIER ST
9.46
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA
15-003
89 SOHIER ST
3.80
Cohasset Swimming &
Recreation Trust /
Corbett Paul Treasurer
RB Limited Yes,
Parking
Town Swim
Center/Good
42-026
208 SOHIER ST
15.41
Cohasset Town
of/Deer Hill School
School/DPW RB Unknown Yes,
Parking
Deer Hill
School/Good
42-025
210 SOHIER ST
14.88
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
DPW DB None
48-017
SOUTH MAIN ST
2.00
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RB
33-001X
SOUTH MAIN ST
0.10
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
45-001
SOUTH MAIN ST
3.20
Massachusetts Bay
Trans Authority
32-084
129 SOUTH MAIN
ST
0.92
St Anthony’s Rectory
RA
35-025
346 SOUTH MAIN
ST
14.75
Cohasset Conservation
Trust
RB Perpetuity No Pegram
Preserve/Good
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-26
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
38-001X
SPRING ST
2.03
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RA Yes Ellms Meadow
32-057
6 SUMMER ST
4.55
Roman Catholic
Archbishop of Boston
RA
32-022 88 SUMMER ST
0.17
Cohasset Town of
DB
72-003
TIPPLING RK
HOWES
5.75
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC
75-005
TURKEY HILL
RD
5.93
Trustees of
Reservations
RC Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Turkey Hill/Good
75-003
TURKEY HILL
RD
4.25
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Turkey Hill/Good
75-001
TURKEY HILL
RD
14.73
Cohasset Town
of/Board of Selectmen
RC Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Turkey Hill/Good
32-021
VETERANS
PARK
0.34
Cohasset Town of
MF
15-100
WHEELWRIGHT
PARK
80.40
Cohasset Town of
DPW RA Limited Yes,
Parking
Wheelwright
Park/Good
34-052 WINDSOR RD
0.55
Cohasset Town of
RB
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-27
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
01X-01X
WOMPATUCK
PK
861.00
Commonwealth of
Massachusetts /
Department of
Conservation &
Recreation
Division of
Conservation
and
Recreation
OS Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Wompatuck State
Park/Good
01X-001Y
WOMPATUCK
PK
190.00
Commonwealth of
Massachusetts /
Department of
Conservation &
Recreation
Division of
Conservation
and
Recreation
Perpetuity Yes,
Parking
Wompatuck State
Park/Good
65-005 King Street 0.84 Cohasset Town of
65-006 309 kING sTREET 6.5 Leighton Luther S &
Phyllis B
65-004 kING sTREET .68 Cohasset Town of
65-003 KING STREET 1.0 Cohasset Town of
66-002
KING STREET 1.12 Sawchuck Wayne &
Jenkins Leeland
Trustees
10-128 .07 Cohasset Town of Cohasset
Historical
Society
Unknown Yes Moors’ Rock
Reservation/Good
102-001,
002, 003
92.45 Hingham, Town of Perpetuity Triphammer Pond
102-012 403 Trustees of
Reservations
Perpetuity Whitney& Thayer
Woods
11-001 20.65 Scituate Rod and Gun
Club
None Sictuate Rod & Cun
Club
11-099 10.7 Jerusalem Road trust Perpetuity Cabot & White
12-003 120.2 Scituate Town of Perpetuity No Ellis Property
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-28
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
12-006 2.4 Scituate Town of Perpetuity baily land
12-001 69.5 Jerusalem Road Trust Perpetuity No Cabot & White
14-002 45.47 Scituate Town of Limited Tibbets Marsh of
Hathaway CC
16-047 9.7 Jerusalem Road Trust Perpetuity Cabot & White
17-053 22.4 Jerusalem Road Trust Perpetuity Cabot & White
18-001 41.2 Scituate Town of Perpetuity Grassie Stewart
22-033, 034 5.5 Hingham Town of Perpetuity Lyfords Lyking
Park
25-003B-5 9.9 Whitcomb Grove
Realty Trust & Bartlet
Field Realty Trust
Perpetuity Whitcomb Pines
25-002 2.6 Scituate Town of Limited Groveland
Cemetery
3- 181.3 Cohasset Golf Course None
30- 0.16 Cohasset Yacht Club
32-042 0.17 Cohasset Conservation
Trust
Perpetuity Yes Hector J. Pelletier
Memorial
Park/Overgrown
33-070 1.00 Hanney, W.J. Unknown Mill River Marine
35-046 4.84 Cohasset Conservation
Trust
Perpetuity Julia & Henry
Dormitzer Salt
Marsh
37-022 2.25 Fiquerido W None Fiquerido’s Marina
37-010 9.13 Cohasset Town of DPW Limited Yes,
Parking
Town Wharf,
Sailing Club,
Government
Island/Good
4-003 101.46 Scituate Town of Perpetuity Bassings Beach/
Briggs Harbor
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Section Title 5-29
Assessors
Map - Parcel
Location
Acres
Owner
Management
(if different
from Owner)
Zoning
Grant
Received?
Funding?
Level of
Protection
Public
Access
Type of Facility/
Condition
40- 12.15 South Shore Playhouse None
South Shore Music
Circus
43-097, 008 5.8 Unknown Unknown Tower School Day
Camp
43-019 6.45 Hingham Town of Limited Hull St. Playground
44-009 0.14 Trust for Public Land Perpetuity Hull Shore
Reservation
44-111 0.24 Trust for Public Land Perpetuity Hull Shore
Reservation
44-028 0.38 Trust for Public Land Perpetuity Hull Shore
Reservation
44-015 0.42 Trust for Public Land Perpetuity Hull Shore
Reservation
44-092 0.13 Trust for Public Land Perpetuity Hull Shore
Reservation
46-001 4.09 DCR Perpetuity Hull Shore
Reservation
54-010, 011 28.3 Benedictine Monks Unknown Glastonbury Abbey
66-14 2.49 The Trustees of
Reservations
Perpetuity
Whitney and
Thayer Woods
7-008 17.55 Scituate Town of Perpetuity Hubbell
84-002 106.56 The Trustees of
Reservations
Perpetuity Whitney and
Thayer Woods
92-002, 005,
007
14.2 Hingham Town of Perpetuity Leavitt St.
Conservation Land
Scituate Cohasset Conservation
Trust
Perpetuity Boat
only
Bassing
Beach/Good
Total Acreage 3982.19
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 6.0
Community Vision
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Vision 6-1
6.0 COMMUNITY VISION
6.1 Description of the Process
The general process undertaken to update the Cohasset OSRP is described in Section 2.2;
however, additional information specific to the public outreach meetings is provided
below.
6.1.1 Public Outreach Meetings
The public participation process for the project included three public outreach
meetings: two stakeholder meetings and one public forum. The stakeholder
meetings were held at the Town Hall on the evening of April 29, 2009 and the
morning of April 30, 2009 to encourage broad-based public participation and
facilitate information gathering, the analysis of needs, and the development of
goals and objectives (Refer to the meeting notes in Appendix A). The following
entities were specifically invited to the stakeholder meetings, although notice of
the meetings was also provided in the Cohasset Mariner, posted at the Town Hall,
and placed in all municipal mail boxes. The Board of Selectmen also emailed the
heads of all Town Departments.
Community Preservation Committee Harbor Health Committee
Conservation Commission Cohasset Conservation Land Trust
Recreation Commission Cohasset Land Foundation
Historical Commission Weir River Estuary Committee
Board of Selectmen Straits Pond Watershed Association
Planning Board Council on Elder Affairs
Advisory Committee Rotary Club
Department of Public Works School Department
Cohasset Garden Club Chamber of Commerce
Community Garden Club of Cohasset Economic Development Committee
Amateur Gardeners Triathlon Group
Yacht Club Board of Health
Sailing Club The Trustees of Reservations
Sandy Beach Association Department of Conservation and Recreation
Golf Club Holly Hill Farm (Frank and Jean White)
Water Resource Protection Committee Water Department
Shellfish Warden Harbormaster
Gulf River Association South Shore Coalition
Sustainable Cohasset Alternative Energy Committee
The public forum was held the evening of June 18, 2009 at Bancroft Hall (the
Lightkeepers House, refer to the agenda and PowerPoint presentation in Appendix
A). Notice of the forum was provided in the Cohasset Mariner and posted at
Town Hall, and also provided via email to the Recreation Director’s list of
contacts. The focus of the forum was to engage local residents in a discussion
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Vision 6-2
about open space and recreation resources in the community. Beals and Thomas,
Inc. made a presentation that included a discussion of why the OSRP update is
important, demographic data, open space data and open ended questions to help
the audience think about what aspect of open space and recreation in the
community is important.
At both the stakeholder meetings and the public forum, BTI informed local
residents about the project and asked for their input regarding goals and objectives
and what they felt represent the significant issues are in terms of open space,
recreation and natural resources. Due to the small number of attendees at each
outreach meeting, the meetings were generally conducted as round table
discussions. Despite the poor attendance, significant input was provided by
attendees, and different issues and discussion topics were raised at each meeting.
The following noteworthy items were raised by attendees.
Importance of preserving the existing character of the Town.
Permanent residents are decreasing; people are less interested in preserving
and more interested in making money in the short term.
Attendees noted that wildlife is becoming sparse due to the blasting that is
occurring for new development.
Importance of preserving views and vistas, especially of the ocean. The
committee discussed that this can be done through view shed easements and
deed restrictions.
Various historic paths and access ways in the Town. Attendees noted that
they would like to see these paths 1) mapped with ownership determined; 2)
preserved when possible; and 3) considered for their potential to link open
space parcels. The question was raised, “How do you maintain public
access?” on pathways and old farm roads, and attendees noted that is
important to prevent new development from severing connections. Attendees
also noted that there was historically a group in town that would deliberately
walk the paths in order to preserve the public right of access.
6.1.2 Open Space & Recreation Plan Survey
Public outreach for the OSRP update also included an Open Space and Recreation
Survey prepared and distributed by the Town and analyzed by BTI. The survey
was conducted between January 1, 2009 through April 15, 2009, with hard copies
sent with tax bills and an online version also advertised on the Town website.
The survey was meant to gauge how the Town uses the current open space and
recreation lands and to identify additional opportunities respondents would like to
see in the future. A copy of the survey was mailed to every household in the
community (approximately 3200 households) with the quarterly tax bills. In
addition, the survey was available online through links from the Town’s
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Vision 6-3
homepage (www.townofcohasset.com) and the Recreation website
(www.cohassetrec.com). The online version was offered as a way to reach
additional interested persons and to provide an opportunity for persons other than
landowners to participate in the survey. In addition to typical survey questions
related to open space and recreational issues, three open response questions were
provided in the survey where residents could:
- Identify specific town characteristics they treasure;
- Note challenges or threats facing the Town; and
- Provide open comment.
In total, 489 responses to the survey were received; 374 paper responses were
received representing a response rate of approximately 12%. This response was
slightly higher than in 1996 (10%) but below the rate achieved in 2002 (16%). In
addition to the paper surveys, 115 online responses were also received. However,
it is difficult to compare the actual response rates due to the two survey methods
used for the present OSRP update and the fact that the two previous surveys (1996
and 2002) were not available on line. Assuming that online responses were
generated by households receiving a hard copy of the survey with the tax bill, the
2009 response rate would be approximately 15%.
The survey was compiled and coordinated by the Recreation Director and the
results were analyzed by Beals and Thomas, Inc. Jack Buckley and his Cohasset
High School Civics and Community Service class also assisted with the
compilation of the survey results by inputting a portion of the paper responses
into the online survey for analysis. The survey can be found in Appendix A.
Highlights of the survey indicate that:
Almost one-half of the respondents (46%) have lived in Cohasset for more
than 20 years.
There is town-wide support (91%) for the purchase of additional conservation
land by the Town. There is support for the purchase of additional lands for
recreational opportunities (86%). The purchase of development rights (76%)
to preserve land also has wide support.
Acquisition of lands by public or private entities other than the Town (i.e. the
Commonwealth (93%) and Regional Land Trusts (95%)) was also supported.
89% of the respondents support the development of information about the
open space and recreation resources available.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Vision 6-4
Of those responding, 88% supported zoning changes to enhance the protection
of open space with over half (54%) strongly supporting changing zoning
regulations as a planning tool.
The overall response rate to Question 4 (dealing with the various actions to
preserve natural resources and promote recreation noted above) was 97%.
Approximately 8% of the respondents indicated a desire to donate their land
while 13% would consider selling at a bargain price to support conservation.
In addition, there was support for conservation restrictions or tax
credit/reduction as acceptable means to preserve open space, which indicates
that there may be an opportunity for community outreach to identify possible
donors to further the Town’s conservation efforts. Note however that the
number of persons responding to this question and indicating a desire to
donate or sell land for conservation might be indicative that the question was
misunderstood as it is unlikely that there would be that many parcels of a size
and/or location suitable for conservation purposes in the Town.
Although there was a high percentage of recognition (generally 90% or
greater) of all of the conservation lands in Town the percentage of use for a
number of sites tended to be low (20- 40%). Three quarters (75%) of the
respondents indicated the reason they did not use the facilities was due to a
lack of information about where the areas are located. In addition, 50%
indicated that they were unaware of where trails went. This information,
when taken in conjunction with the 89% response in support of the
development of information about open space and recreation resources
provides a strong indication for the need for informational outreach and
mapping. Furthermore, although almost 100% of the survey respondents
answered the question on the recognition of conservation lands only 34% of
the respondents answered the question as to why they did not use the facilities,
which may indicate that the use of the facilities may actually be higher than
suggested by the survey results.
The survey results show that most respondents are satisfied with the current
recreational programs and facilities for the various age groups identified in
Question 8. The age group with the largest percentage not satisfied (24%)
with the recreational opportunities was teenagers.
Many of the Town’s characteristics in Question 9 scored 90% or greater as
Important or Very Important with an almost 100% response rate to this
question. The highest rated of all the features noted was the harbor (99%
rated the harbor as important or very important).
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Vision 6-5
The respondents indicated the need for the following additional recreational
facilities listed in Question 10 (note a 96% response rate applied to this
question):
- Bicycle/pedestrian paths (75%)
- Boat moorings (54%)
- River Access for canoes and kayaks (47%)
and indicated that the following recreational facilities were generally
sufficient:
- Neighborhood playgrounds (68%)
- Multipurpose athletic fields (59%)
- Tennis courts (63%)
- Beach recreation (77%)
- Wildlife viewing/bird watching (70%)
- Golf courses (65%)
- Boat ramps 63%)
- Baseball/softball fields (71%)
- Dog walking areas (61%)
- Fishing/shellfishing areas (61%)
A large number of respondents took the time to thoughtfully answer the open
response questions. The major comments consistently cited included:
Question 11. What characteristics does Cohasset have to make you want to
live here?
- Small town atmosphere and sense of community
- Scenic and natural beauty
- Ocean setting and access to beaches
Question 12. What are the most important issues, challenges, or threats facing
the Town of Cohasset?
- The overdevelopment of the Town and other development related issues
such as large houses on small lots, wind turbines, stormwater, pollution
and poor zoning
- Property taxes and un-affordability of homes
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Community Vision 6-6
6.2 Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals
In 2009, several common themes ran throughout the survey and the public participation
events. Rural character, small town community feel, overdevelopment and development
in previously inhospitable areas, beautiful views and significant natural areas, strong
recreational amenities, lost open space connections, and a lack of information about
existing open space and recreational areas were all mentioned a number of times
throughout the planning process.
As noted in the 2002 OSRP, “Cohasset is well endowed with open space/conservation
areas, recreational facilities, and historic resources. Public advocacy for their
maintenance and preservation is high. Increased information and education are
important ways to ensure ongoing support for open space preservation. An ideal open
space system would protect the water supply and wetlands resources, preserve and
enhance wildlife habitat, and protect the scenic character of the town. Recreational
goals include additional access to the waterfront, greater opportunities for walking and
bicycling, and improved access for the disabled.”
The broad goals cited above remain applicable based upon public input gathered during
the 2009 update process. Sections 8 and 9 contain additional information pertaining to
specific goals, objectives, and action items to achieve the overarching goals stated above.
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 7.0
Analysis of Needs
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Analysis of Needs 7-1
7.0 ANALYSIS OF NEEDS
The Town of Cohasset is a community that has maintained its small town charm since its
incorporation in 1770. After the decline of the fishing and shipbuilding industries, Cohasset’s
open space and recreational amenities were historically attractive to visitors, making it an often
visited summer destination. Cohasset’s open space and recreation features continue to be highly
valued by Cohasset residents today. Currently, there is an opportunity to continue acquiring
additional undeveloped land parcels and to improve existing open space and recreational areas.
During the course of this update, Cohasset residents have indicated the need for increased
recreational opportunities, including better access to the water and bicycle paths, for example,
have indicated a desire to create larger patches of open space, wildlife corridors and connections
to neighborhoods, and have also noted that better outreach is required to encourage residents to
utilize existing open space and recreational areas to their fullest potential. While newcomers to
the Town cited Cohasset’s charm and balance between development and conservation in
comparison to surrounding towns, long-time residents noted that advancements in development
methods (ledge blasting, expansion of the sewer system) threatened areas that had previously
been undevelopable.
The needs of Cohasset are detailed throughout this report; a summary of some more prominent
needs is provided below. Section 9 contains action items relating to the all of the needs of
Cohasset identified throughout this OSRP update process.
7.1 Summary of Resource Protection Needs
7.1.1 Water Resources
Cohasset maintains significant surface water supplies in the Aaron River
Reservoir and Lily Pond, as well as groundwater supplies through its wells. The
Town of Cohasset Water Department has achieved significant protection for these
resources by protecting associated watershed lands, and the Town maintains an
awareness of developments in adjacent towns that may impact Cohasset’s water
supply. Cohasset also recently completed installing multiple rain gardens
throughout town to address stormwater runoff. The Town has recently also
completed a sewer expansion project. Smaller steps that could be investigated to
further protect Cohasset’s water supplies include addressing failing septic systems
as quickly as possible and continuing education of the public with regard to
sources of nonpoint pollution. Additionally, although the majority of Cohasset’s
surface water supplies are surrounded by protected lands, King Street lies adjacent
to Lily Pond to the northeast, and the potential for spills from accidents exists.
Cohasset boasts a multitude of impressive and scenic waters. Some of these
waters, such as Straits Pond, are impaired, as previously detailed in this report.
Additionally, shellfish beds in Cohasset’s coastal waters are no longer viable.
However, the Division of Marine Fisheries has established Designated Shellfish
Growing Areas (DSGAs), which represent areas of potential shellfish habitat
extending from the tidal zone to the territorial limit of the Commonwealth. Each
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Analysis of Needs 7-2
DSGA is comprised of at least one classification area, ranging from approved to
prohibited.120
Image 7-1: Designated Shellfish Growing Areas from MassGIS
120 MassGIS Datalayers/GIS Database Designated Shellfish Growing Areas – October 2009. Viewed online October
27, 2009. http://www.mass.gov/mgis/dsga.htm
Cohasset
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Analysis of Needs 7-3
7.1.2 Invasive Species
Conservation lands should be monitored for invasive species, and where found,
they should be promptly removed before they establish a significant population
and impact native species. Existing significant populations of invasive species
should be managed to prevent their further spread if complete eradication is not
feasible. Public outreach and education may result in a reduced presence of
invasive species, as citizens could report existing populations, and might also
avoid planting invasive or potentially invasive species in gardens if they
understood the threat posed by invasives. Massachusetts implemented a ban on
the sale and importation of specific invasive plants in 2006, however, existing
populations will continue to spread, and prohibited plant species may be
transferred between neighbors and friends.
7.1.3 Rare Species
Several of the rare species known to occur in Cohasset have older records of
sightings. Educating citizens regarding what rare species occur in Cohasset and
gathering additional information about existing populations would facilitate
decisions regarding which areas in Cohasset should be protected. Such protection
could include purchasing additional lands, as well as protecting rare species on
existing open space lands by ensuring that recreational use of those lands does not
impact the rare species populations.
7.1.4 Land Resources
Cohasset has approximately 970 acres of open space and recreational lands in the
community. This represents approximately 15% of Cohasset’s total land area
(excluding coastal waters such as Cohasset Harbor). The largest contiguous area
of open space occurs in the southwestern to south-central portion of Town, and
includes state-owned conservation lands. For Town-owned parcels without a
conservation or other deed restrictions, including those under the custody of the
Conservation Commission, the Town could change the designation and use of the
property. Therefore, working to change the temporary level of protection on
town-owned open space to permanently protect it represents an opportunity to
ensure that these open space areas remain in the future. However, the Town is
also reserving its options on land for future needs, such as police and fire stations
or schools.
Conservation of remaining unprotected land should focus on areas that are
adjacent to or connect larger areas of contiguous open space in order to maximize
the benefit to wildlife. Connections to neighborhoods and the ability to walk to
open space areas would also be beneficial for residents. Existing connections and
paths should be researched and established so that they are not lost in the future.
In addition to acquiring additional lands, Cohasset should focus on preventing
fragmentation of significant habitats by proposed development.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Analysis of Needs 7-4
The Town of Cohasset is experiencing growth in areas that were previously
undevelopable, as previously discussed. The Town has competing needs for the
remaining undeveloped areas for housing, recreation, and wildlife habitat. The
land that is permanently protected will continue to provide a wide range of
functions, including preservation of environmentally and culturally sensitive
resources, buffering developed areas, and providing recreational opportunities,
indefinitely. However, other lands are at risk and these functions may be lost.
Cohasset’s projected declining population may avoid increasing demands for
open space and recreational areas. However, overuse at the Town’s most popular
areas may still occur and may lead to their degradation without implementation of
management strategies and regular maintenance.
7.2 Summary of Community Needs
As stated in the survey, residents believe that it is important that the Town acquire more
conservation and recreation land. The purchase of development rights to preserve land
also has wide support. Access to the waterfront, increased pedestrian and bicycle paths,
and improved information regarding existing open space and recreation areas were all
noted by residents as needs. Furthermore, the addition of fields to the Town, as well as
better maintenance and improvements to existing fields, are also needs voiced by the
community. Increased cool weather activities are also desirable.
According to the National Park Land Standards , below is a guideline for what types of
amenities a typical community should have in terms of recreation based on its population
size.
Facility Area Needed Units per Population Service Area
Basketball Court 7,280 sq. ft. 1 per 5,000 ¼-1/2 mile
Tennis Court 1 court 1 per 2,000 ¼-1/2 mile
Volleyball 4,000 sq. ft. 1 per 5,000 ¼-1/2 mile
Baseball 1.2 acres minimum 1 per 5,000 ¼-1/2 mile
Football 1.5 acres 1 per 20,000 20 min travel
Soccer 1.7-2.1 acres 1 per 10,000 popularity level
Softball 1.5-2 acres 1 per 5,000 ¼-1/2 mile
Multi-use Court 9,840 sq ft 1 per 10,000 ¼-1/2 mile
Swimming Pool 2 acres minimum 1 per 20,000 30 min travel
Trails 1 trail system per region
7.3 Consistency with Regional and State Open Space and Recreation Plans
The Town of Cohasset routinely works with various state and regional planning agencies.
The Cohasset 2009-2013 Open Space and Recreation Plan utilizes recommendations
from several of these organizations.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has included a land resources
protection component, MetroFuture, in its regional development plan. The Statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is the open space plan for the entire
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Analysis of Needs 7-5
state of Massachusetts. Cohasset’s emphasis in the 2009-2013 Open Space and
Recreation Plan on environmental health, protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat,
and the promotion of resident awareness of and access to open space and recreational
resources is consistent with both MetroFuture and SCORP.
The Cohasset 2009-2013 Open Space and Recreation Plan contains goals, objectives,
and actions that are consistent with many of MetroFuture’s criteria for land resources
protection. These include lands of conservation interest, Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern, wetlands wildlife habitat areas, areas critical to public water supplies, major
wetlands, scenic landscapes, and major water bodies, rivers, and streams. Cohasset’s
plan focuses on water resources and wetlands, the enhancement of wildlife habitat
through linkage of existing protected lands, and enhanced access to scenic landscapes,
particularly for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as improved public access to the
waterfront. These issues are especially relevant to the goals of MetroFuture.
Although Cohasset is part of the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) planning
region for the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), it shares
many characteristics with the neighboring Southeastern Region. The 2006 SCORP
recognizes Cohasset for making an important linkage and extension of the DCR
Wompatuck Reservation, with the acquisition of the Whitney Woods Reservation.
Additionally, the SCORP notes that private land trusts are playing important roles in a
number of these towns as well, including Mass Audubon’s work in Belmont, Canton and
Natick, The Trustees of Reservation’s properties in Hingham and Cohasset, and local
land trusts in Dover and Cohasset121. The Cohasset 2009-2013 Open Space and
Recreation Plan addresses a number of SCORP planning recommendations for the MDC
Region. These recommendations include:
Improvement of water-based recreation opportunities
Improvement of opportunities for hiking and cross-country skiing; maintenance of a
balance between conservation and recreation resources
Improvement of maintenance for open space and recreation resources
Encouragement of protection and/or retention of “ancient ways” through an emphasis
on their cultural and historic values
Maximization of state, municipal and nonprofit agency cooperation in the protection
of ecologically important lands that are connected to maintain ecosystem integrity.
Publication of existing incentives available to private landowners to allow public
access on private lands including the Chapter 61, 61A and 61B properties, Forest
121 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Outdoors 2006 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation
Plan, http://www.mass.gov/Eoeea/docs/eea/dcs/massoutdoor2006.pdf, accessed August 3, 2009.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Analysis of Needs 7-6
Stewardship Program properties; encouragement of the donation or sale of
conservation restrictions or access easements; and education of local assessor’s
offices about taxation policies of these programs to ensure assessors honor the intent
of the programs
Provision of access to open space, recreation, and historic properties and sites in
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
7.4 Management Needs and Potential Changes of Use
Moving forward, in order to ensure successful implementation of the OSRP update,
outstanding communication and teamwork will be paramount between Town boards,
committees, staff and local residents and businesses. In order to set the stage for good
communication, a specific entity in the town of Cohasset should be assigned to oversee
the implementation of the overall OSRP. The best suited committees would be the Open
Space & Recreation Committee and the Recreation Commission, which would work
together on a regular basis.
In general regarding the maintenance of fields and playgrounds, additional funds and
assistance are required. Maintenance of existing facilities should be coordinated with the
applicable Town departments as well as with the groups using the fields, including
groups from other towns. Additionally, the maintenance of potential future facilities
should be considered prior to constructing such facilities.
Open space and recreation lands should be managed to ensure compatible use. For
instance, enforcement of no pet areas in certain recreational facilities (athletic fields, for
example) is lacking. Wompatuck Park has specific sections for walkers, ATV users and
cross-country skiers, which serves as a good example of how to allow multiple uses that
may not be compatible.
The following potential changes of use are being studied or are proposed for specific
properties:
Addition of a senior center at the current swim center property
Redesign of the recreation area behind the library to include a non-regulation playing
field
Relocation of the CHS baseball diamond from Milliken Field
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 8.0
Goals & Objectives
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Goals & Objectives 8-1
8.0 GOALS & OBJECTIVES
8.1 Goals
Over the past year, the Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee has solicited
the opinions of Town Officials and staff, various Town Departments and Commissions,
and the public at large to develop a broad suite of goals and specific objectives for
inclusion in the 2009 Open Space & Recreation Plan. These community goals and
objectives serve as a major component of this report. The following goals represent
large-scale concepts; the objectives are more closely focused activities. Specific actions
to implement these goals and objectives are detailed in the next chapter, Section 9 –
Seven-Year Action Plan.
Throughout the process of developing this report, several ideas were consistently
communicated to the Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee. There is a
strong sentiment that Cohasset is blessed with beautiful natural and historic surroundings.
It must not be allowed to be thoughtlessly degraded or segmented by rampant
construction, overuse, or neglect. Goals for Cohasset’s future must include a careful
dialogue on the implications of specific actions and inaction for the Town. Open space is
an important component of Cohasset’s environment that must be preserved and protected.
As noted in Section 6, the 2002 OSRP states that, “Cohasset is well endowed with open
space/conservation areas, recreational facilities, and historic resources. Public
advocacy for their maintenance and preservation is high. Increased information and
education are important ways to ensure ongoing support for open space preservation.
An ideal open space system would protect the water supply and wetlands resources,
preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect the scenic character of the town.
Recreational goals include additional access to the waterfront, greater opportunities for
walking and bicycling, and improved access for the disabled.”
The broad goals cited above remain applicable based upon public input gathered during
the 2009 update process. Section 9 contains additional information pertaining to specific
action items to achieve the overarching goals stated above, and the objectives listed
below.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Goals & Objectives 8-2
8.2 Objectives
The following objectives were developed in support of the broad goals stated above:
a. Make protection of open space a priority in all town land use decisions.
b. Protect the natural environment, including wildlife habitats and wetlands, and
preserve Cohasset’s scenic beauty and local character.
c. Improve, protect and increase recreational opportunities for residents.
d. Improve maintenance of Town-owned open space and recreational resources.
e. Develop greater resident awareness of conservation lands and recreational resources.
f. Provide greater access for the disabled at key open space and recreational resources.
g. Implement and monitor action plan items.
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 9.0
Seven-Year Action Plan
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Seven-Year Action Plan 9-1
9.0 SEVEN-YEAR ACTION PLAN
The following Seven-Year Action Plan identifies specific activities for implementation of the community goals and objectives
presented in Section 8. Given the limited resources available to the Town in terms of labor and finances, these actions are
presented as a “wish list” of possible activities. The Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee does not assume that
all of these actions will be undertaken. This list was developed to serve as a point of departure for the Town administratio n
and for public discourse. Town boards, commissions, or committees that would be most appropriate to implement or manage
these activities are indicated in italics following each action.
a. Make protection of open space a priority in all town land use decisions
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Retain the Open Space & Recreation Committee as a
standing committee to advise on the potential impact of
proposals on open space. Board of Selectmen
Encourage the Planning Board to resolve status of the
draft master plan for the town. Open Space and
Recreation Committee; Planning Board
Review Town Bylaws (especially zoning, building, and
conservation) to assess whether they support the goals of
the open space and recreation plan and other Town
planning documents, and make recommendations to
appropriate boards as necessary. Open Space &
Recreation Committee; Bylaw Committee; Zoning Board
of Appeals; Planning Board; Conservation Commission
Consider a balance between natural habitat and passive
recreation when developing guidelines for the use of
open space. Open Space & Recreation Committee;
Recreation Commission
Increase public awareness of tax incentives available to
private landowners who preserve open space and/or that
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Seven-Year Action Plan 9-2
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
make that open space available to the public. Open
Space & Recreation Committee; Assessors
b. Protect the natural environment, including wildlife habitats and wetlands, and preserve Cohasset’s scenic beauty and local character
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Study and promote appropriate ways to preserve the
unique natural features of the Cohasset landscape. Open
Space & Recreation Committee
Develop and maintain a list of properties suitable for
potential acquisition or conservation restriction by the
Town, including those that link existing wildlife habitat,
wetlands, open space, and recreation areas. Open Space
& Recreation Committee
Designate the Open Space Committee as the coordinator
for open space acquisition for the town. Board of
Selectmen
Work to acquire selected parcels of open space using
funds from the Community Preservation Act, grants, and
private funding sources and working with appropriate
town boards and interested groups and individuals. Open
Space & Recreation Committee; Community
Preservation Committee
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Seven-Year Action Plan 9-3
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Solicit and support volunteer inventory projects to
identify and monitor the status, habitat, and distribution
of key species such as vernal pool organisms, state listed
animal and plant species, and forest-interior birds, and
pursue possible grants to fund such projects. Open Space
& Recreation Committee; conservation
organizations/non-profit groups (with Town
coordination)
Inventory the status of wetlands, coastal resources and
inland bodies of water. Open Space & Recreation
Committee; Conservation Commission; Water
Department; Board of Health; Stormwater Committee
Generate educational materials on protection of our local
natural environment and recreational resources. Open
Space & Recreation Committee; Board of Health
Support organic lawn/turf management plan for all town-
owned properties. Open Space & Recreation Committee;
Water Department; Board of Health
Support the restoration of shellfish beds. Shellfish
Warden; Open Space & Recreation Committee
c. Improve, protect and increase recreational opportunities for residents
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Study the feasibility of “shared road” bikeways,
walkways and sidewalks with proper signage for
vehicular traffic. Recreation Commission; Department
of Public Works
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Seven-Year Action Plan 9-4
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Study creation of additional walking trails on
conservation properties. Recreation Commission;
Conservation Commission; Open Space and Recreation
Committee
Improve and maintain current athletic and recreational
fields and areas. Recreation Commission; Department of
Public Works
Study the construction of new ball fields and play areas
throughout town. Recreation Commission
Increase cool weather activities such as skating areas,
warming huts, and lighting. Investigate the possibility of
an indoor swimming pool. Recreation Commission
Improve access to our waterways, including our harbors,
ponds, ocean front, launching ramps and mooring areas.
Recreation Commission; Harbormaster; Harbor
Committee
Develop and enforce field use policies, guidelines and a
memorandum of understanding with all sports groups.
Recreation Commission
Increase town recreational operated programs for all
ages. Recreation Commission
Support Construction of a new Senior Center. Elder
Affairs, Board of Selectmen
d. Improve maintenance of Town owned open space and recreational resources
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Assess and improve current maintenance practices for
town-owned land. Department of Public Works
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Seven-Year Action Plan 9-5
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Determine how much revenue is necessary to maintain
each recreational facility on an annual basis and work to
ensure funding. Recreation Commission
Review and update annually fees associated with
organizational uses of athletic/recreational facilities and
explore other sources of funding for field care, both
private and public options. Recreation Commission;
Department of Public Works
Increase signage at all athletic/recreational facilities
relative to proper use and care of facility by users.
Recreation Commission; Department of Public Works
Sponsor maintenance programs and work with local
groups (e.g., adopt-a-park/roadway/traffic island). Open
Space & Recreation Committee; Department of Public
Works
Promote and support public clean-up events. Board of
Health; Open Space & Recreation Committee
Encourage dog walkers to pick up their pet’s waste, and
install stations with bags and trash receptacles at key
open space and recreational area entrances (including
cemeteries). Mark the locations of these stations on
maps and brochures. Board of Health
Increase signage prohibiting dogs at athletic fields and
other appropriate locations. Recreation Commission;
Board of Health; Town Manager
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Seven-Year Action Plan 9-6
e. Develop greater resident awareness of conservation lands and recreational resources
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Develop and publish a guide to open space resources in
town, including hard copy and online maps and trail
guides for recreational facilities and conservation lands.
Publicize this guide on Town website and in local
newspapers and make copies available at trail heads.
Open Space & Recreation Committee; Recreation
Commission
Research, locate, document, and publish a guide to
historic cart paths and easements that are suitable for
recreational use. Open Space & Recreation Committee
Continue to hold an annual event (such as the Recreation
Fair) to educate residents about open space and
recreation within Cohasset. Open Space & Recreation
Committee; Recreation Commission; Conservation
Commission
Encourage the purchase of the full GIS system. Board of
Selectmen; Open Space & Recreation Committee
f. Provide greater access for the disabled at key open space and recreational resources
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Create and adopt a transition plan designating certain
areas for complete or near-complete accessibility.
Recreation Commission; Commission on Disabilities
Ensure ADA compliance in future recreation and open
space improvements. Recreation Commission;
Commission on Disabilities
Include information regarding ADA accessibility of open
space and recreation amenities in materials developed.
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Seven-Year Action Plan 9-7
Open Space & Recreation Committee; Recreation
Commission; Commission on Disabilities
g. Implement and monitor Action Plan items
Actions 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Completed?
Delegate the oversight of the OSRP to the Open Space &
Recreation Committee. Board of Selectmen
Review status of action items every year and report to the
Board of Selectmen. Update action items as necessary.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
Maintain an awareness of issues which affect the Town’s
Open Space and Recreation resources and bring them to
the attention of the appropriate town boards. Open Space
& Recreation Committee
Provide updates to the residents of Cohasset about
progress on the goals and action items in this plan. Open
Space & Recreation Committee
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 10.0
Public Comments
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. Public Comments 10-1
10.0 PUBLIC COMMENTS
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Section 11.0
References
Town of Cohasset
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Cohasset, Massachusetts
215500RP001
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC. References 11-1
11.0 REFERENCES
All references used to update the Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Plan have been noted
within the document as footnotes.
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Appendices
Appendix A – Public Outreach
Appendix B – Cohasset Buildout Summary Information
Appendix C – Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Information
Appendix D – State and National Designated Historic Sites
Appendix E – DEP Waste Site/Reportable Release Database
Appendix F – ADA Accessibility Study
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Appendix A
Public Outreach
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Appendix B
Cohasset Buildout Summary Information
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Appendix C
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program Information
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Appendix D
State and National Designated Historic Sites
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Appendix E
DEP Waste Site/Reportable Release Database
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Appendix F
ADA Accessibility Study
BEALS AND THOMAS, INC.
Figures
Map 1 Regional Context Map
Map 2 Omitted (there are no environmental justice populations
in Cohasset)
Map 3 Zoning Map
Map 4 Soils and Geologic Features Map
Map 5 Unique Features Map
Map 6 Water Resources Map
Map 7 Conservation and Recreation Lands Map