Minutes 2010

Royalston Open Space Committee

Minutes

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Meeting Date: January 14, 2010
Members Present: Aaron Ellison, Patti Carrier, Jack Morse, Christine Beckert Long, Paul Montero
Chair: Aaron Ellison
Clerk: Christine Beckert Long

The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.

Minutes: The minutes of November 12, 2009 were unanimously accepted.

Internal matters:
(1) Aaron announced that the Selectboard is aiming for level funding for FY11; that amount for the OSC is $200. Aaron will need to tap the money to print 10 copies of the Open Space and Recreation Plan once we receive final approval from the state.

(2) Chris will draft the committee’s FY09 annual report, which Aaron will review and submit to the town clerk by March 1.

(3) Aaron noted that his term and those of Glen and Paul expire in June, likely resulting in at least one opening.

Open Space and Recreation Plan Update:
Aaron announced that the updated Royalston Open Space and Recreation Plan has been resubmitted to the state with the changes requested by the state.

National Scenic Trail:
Paul has determined that of the 12 Royalston parcels the National Scenic Trail crosses, nine have easements specified in their deeds. One of the three that does not is owned by a major landowner who will likely be receptive to the trail. Paul will work with Glenn Freden to contact this landowner. Paul also explained that there are three levels of use landowners can grant: informal permission, which can be revoked at any time; written license, also revocable; and legally binding easement.

Old roads:
Paul reported that he has continued his research into old roads, including two histories of Royalston and a 1765 document laying out the road system, although it is incomplete. He also reported that there are nine volumes of records covering the period between 1749 and 1925 in Safe 1, but there are problems with that safe and it is so far unknown whether the records can be handled. However, he has found out that all such records are by state law the responsibility of the town clerk. Jack will check into these questions.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.