Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-19 400 Great Pond Road Steering Committee Minutes 400 Great Pond Road Steering Committee Minutes of January 19, 2023 Present: Jim Stanford, Jean Enright, Willie Vicens, Steve Foster, Ron Rudis, Jerry Brecher, Norma Lochmann, Peter Boynton, John Simons, John Weir Absent: Richard Vaillancourt Call to Order6:40 PM Publiccomment: None received. Michael Carbone, Essex County Greenbelt Association: Walter and Penelope Saxe provided for the Conservation Restriction (CR) in the mid-1980s. The Restriction includes prohibited activities and reserved rights. The intent was to maintain viewshed protection and watershed protection. s role is to perform periodic monitoring. The CR area is walked and a report is written, which is provided to the landowner and kept on file. -term protection of the property. It would take 2/3rds of the Legislature to overturn and it has never happened at the state level. The organization holding the CR could change if an organization . Therefore, it could be TTOR or Ma. Audubon in the future, but unlikely. maintenance on the property. They sometimes work with TTOR and co-hold a restriction. Have also partnered with Ma. Audubon on property (Rowley). They have a little over 250 CRs. Inspections are split odd/even years. In 2023 this property will be re-visited. Enforcement always try to resolve the issue with the landowner. Have legal counsel, if needed; however, have never had to go to court. -Reconfigure the meets and bounds. Greenbelt has never done anything like this, but they have amended the CR to have a net conservation gain. If additional CR land were to be added it would not have to be contiguous and different purposes and restrictions could be put on it. They have allowed CRs with a building envelope that allows a structure to be built. At times boundary markers have had to be installed. Brainstorm potential uses: J. Enright informed the group that Rick Gorman, Youth Center Director, will be submitting his thoughts on multi-generational uses for the property. J. Brecher provided an overview of his memo: improve the property and sell it to reduce fiscal impact to the Town; Improve the property for public use. Town/taxpayers absorb the purchase const and on-going costs of subsequent upkeep and maintenance, etc. 400 Great Pond Road Steering Committee Minutes of January 19, 2023 P. Boynton still at a broad position, not granular. Cautioned that the group should not land at a recommendation that is not a net benefit to water protection. Considering public use (stewardship of open space), appropriate respect to whatever historic value there is(to be determined). N. Lochmann: Question what needs the Town has that are a good match. It would be nice to have open space for public to sit and look at the Lake, parking facilities, etc. If pedestrian access only it would limit the number of people that have access, but so be it. J. Weir felt 6 or so gravel parking spaces could be provided. J. Stanford: Commented that if the property was bought for conservation of water use then it would take an Act of the Legislature to sell it. It was suggested that someone reach out to Town Counsel for an opinion as to restrictions on sale what can notbe donebased on the Warrant R. Rudis: Encourage the Middle School and High School to start a club rowing team, crew, junior sailing program. The Senior Center could host seasonal 45s tournaments. Make is a seasonal structure. The Thrift Shop is looking for space. J. Brecher cautioned that keeping the building implies use of the building and maintenance.J. Weir cautioned that sailing involves training that would require people to enter the water in order to learn how to get themselves out. S. Foster: Public use could result in a net increase to the potential pollution to the Lake. Commented that we do not need space: Senior Center will be empty soon, Schofield Mill, Gate House, Carriage House. The building will need to be brought up to current standards for ADA, Life Safety, and Insurance. W. Vicens: 1.Demolish/remove house completely: a.Keep land as open space for passive recreation b.Keep land as open space for some active recreation, e.g., boating 2.Move house (and remove foundation) to the buildable lot location: a.Use moved house for some Town purpose/function b.Sell house and buildable lot 3.Rehab/protect house in existing location with extra focus on lake protection: a.Use for Town purpose b.Sell to private party except what is included in options above. 400 Great Pond Road Steering Committee Minutes of January 19, 2023 J. Simons: Balancing 4or 5things: Protect the drinking water supply (net improvement over what was done before) Provide Open Space; Respect appropriate level of historic preservation; Provide recreational opportunities as feasible given the nature of this location and imperative of item #1; Fiscal responsibility. J. Weir: Questioned whether CPA funds could be used. J. Simons yes, for recreational use. Historical perspective is a little less clear. Public Input: Development of a survey to solicitpublic input--Group felt a public meeting would be more beneficial. Invite public to an upcoming meeting for inputThe February 16, 2023 meeting is targeted for a public meeting. J. Enright to reserve the Senior Center. J. Enright to reach out to NACAM to see if a pictures and/or slide show of the property could be produced. It was suggested that a short-list of recommendations should be prepared. It was also suggested thatan openhouse could be held 1 or 2 times for the public to visit the property. Old Business: Who should be invited to provide an historical perspective of the propertyRon has discussed the property with both the Historical Commission and Historic Society and does not believe either could provide more of a historical perspective than what had been included in the meeting packets. Feels there would have to be a good reason to demolish the original building. Suggested reaching out to the original owners to see if the architectural plans still exist. J. Brecher to provide the Discussiononnext steps: No discussion. Approval of Minutes: P. Boynton made a motion to approve the January 10, 2023 meeting minutes. J. Brecher seconded the motion. The vote was 10-0, in favor. 400 Great Pond Road Steering Committee Minutes of January 19, 2023 Adjournment: J. Brecher made a motion to adjourn the meeting. J. Weir seconded the motion. The vote was 10-0, in favor.