Minutes 2005

Royalston Open Space Committee

Meeting Date: July 14, 2005
Members Present: Aaron Ellison, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Beth Gospodarek, Kim MacPhee,
Dean Lisiewicz, Christine Beckert Long
Chair: Aaron Ellison
Clerk: Christine Beckert Long

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

Minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes of June 9, 2005, as corrected.

Internal Matters:
(1) There is still no "home" for the committee maps and their cabinet, but Vyto suggested Whitney Hall, in the same room where Planning Board files are stored.
(2) The committee discussed a fact sheet prepared by Elizabeth called "Statistics on the relative costs and benefits of development and conservation in Massachusetts and U.S. towns" (attached). The committee believes this will be a valuable resource to use as it makes presentations to citizens and town bodies. Elizabeth is also working on an analysis of development patterns in nearby towns.

Open Spaces:
(1) The committee discussed a draft of a recommendation to the Select Board concerning properties of unknown ownership, the draft written by Elizabeth. The committee voted unanimously to approve this report, with changes as discussed.
(2) Chris has contacted the state about how to get state help and customized information about Royalston as the committee prepares to make a presentation about the Community Preservation Act to the Select Board in the fall and to the 2006 annual town meeting. No information has yet been received.
(3) Aaron reported that a resident is willing to sell the town a small lot in South Royalston for $1. Aaron will find out specifically where this lot is, and the committee will then evaluate the proposal, particularly as to how the lot might fit into proposals to create a mini-park at the old bridge over the Millers River.

Town Issues:
(1) The committee encouraged Kim and Vyto, members of the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee, to recommend that the town apply for the maximum $30,000 state Smart Growth Technical Assistance Grant, which would require that the town add $3,000 to an already approved $1,500 to meet its 15 percent match. Both committees agree that the full grant is more apt to result in an actionable document to take to voters, one that would align the bylaws with the Community Development Plan.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

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