Royalston Open Space Committee

Minutes

Back to List of Minutes

Meeting Date: November 10, 2005
Members Present: Aaron Ellison, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Kim MacPhee, Pattie Carrier,
Beth Gospodarek, Christine Beckert Long
Others present: Grace Belmont
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 October 13, 2005.

Internal Matters: Because of member conflicts, the committee agreed to change the date of its next meeting to Wednesday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. Aaron will post that meeting.

Open Spaces:
(1) Elizabeth presented the committee a list of Royalston open space properties listed for sale,
without addresses, on MLS. Grace Belmont volunteered to set up a way to find those addresses.
(2) Aaron announced that the Quabbin-to-Cardigan initiative (Q2C) will be explained to area officials,
private conservation agencies, and the public on November 17.
(3) The committee began to review maps with the goal of prioritizing parcels for protection.
This work will continue in December.

Community Preservation Act: Beth reported that the Historical Society is interested in the CPA but has additional questions. The committee will compile examples of historic preservation projects in other towns, but agreed to delay pursuing the CPA until after the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee has presented its recommendations to town meeting.

Town issues:
(1) Kim reported that the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee has won a $30,000 state Smart Growth Technical Assistance Grant, which with a town contribution and an MRPC in-kind contribution will total $34,500. The ZBRC will hire a consultant; work must be completed by December 31, 2006
(2) Aaron met with the Board of Assessors about the tax status of properties with a conservation restriction. The board wishes to weigh its options further, but is considering classifying such properties as back land with corresponding lower taxes.
(3) Elizabeth offered to hold a workshop to teach committee members and other town boards how to use GIS maps available through the state. After working out the details, she will issue an invitation in the town newsletter and
in letters to the various boards.
(4) Beth will ask Building Inspector Geoff Newton to inform the committee and the Historical Society when buildings are about to be condemned.
(5) The committee agreed it would like to explore further the issue of abandoned and discontinued roads in town.

Public Outreach:
The committee worked on and then enthusiastically approved a landowners' options brochure written by Elizabeth. Aaron and Elizabeth will arrange for printing, and the Board of Assessors has agreed to allow sending it
with the next tax bill. The committee will be asked to stuff the brochures. Kim will write about the brochure
in her next newsletter column.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

Back to List of Minutes