Royalston Open Space Committee

Minutes

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Meeting Date: March 9, 2006
Members Present: Aaron Ellison, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Beth Gospodarek, Kim MacPhee, Patty Carrier, Dean Lisiewicz, Christine Beckert Long
Others present: Gary Winitzer, Russ 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 Febraury 9, 2006.

Internal Matters :
The committee discussed how to use the $150 left in its FY06 budget. Among the possibilities: a biodiversity coloring book for children, prizes for Biodiversity Days events, refreshments for Bylaw Review Committee forums. Aaron will find out if Biodiversity Days is to be a formal state event this year.

Open Spaces:
(1) The committee discussed the possibility of Bullock Park's being used as a skating rink in winter months with Russ Long, longtime manager of an ice rink complex in Boxboro, and Gary Winitzer. The group discussed the wisdom of determining the contours of the park, the use of a tarp vs. merely flooding the frozen ground, the question of how receptive the fire department would be to providing the water via tanker deliveries, and the cost of boards. Aaron noted that ADA and liability issues also need to be considered before any decision is made. Beth agreed to head up a subcommittee to explore the idea further. Long and Winitzer said they will serve on the committee, and others may be drafted.
(2) Aaron reported that two of the owners of properties to be seized for back taxes have in fact paid those taxes, and the tax collector has entered into the year-long process of taking the remaining properties. The committee will remain alert to the process. Specifically, Chris reported that the parcels on Toney Rd. offer connectivity to other protected properties, include beautiful examples of stone walls, and are laced with trails. On a related issue, Glenn reported that a 61 parcel with frontage on both Toney Rd. and Rte. 68 will be sold.
(3) Kim will seek out a booklet on how to research discontinued and abandoned roads, a topic of great importance for both open space protection and zoning issues.
(4) Chris recommended that as the committee evaluates parcels for sale in town, they be entered into the data base.
(5) Aaron reported that the proposed development at Tully Lake will be reviewed by the Athol Board of Health on March 28 and by the Planning Board on April 10. The Royalston Planning Board has standing in these deliberations because the town is an abutter and may hold a public forum on the issue.

Public Outreach: Aaron reported that the state Biodiversity Days, under the aegis of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, will be held on June 4-10. Elizabeth offered to prepare a children's coloring book for the event.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

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