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HomeMy Public PortalAbout141 Port Road-2020-10-22=fW 141 Portanimicut Road Task Force (Azl ' Meeting, via Zoom, October 22nd, 2020 =�`'! dr•.: r ii Present: Chair Ginny Farber; Vice -Chair Jack Kadzik; Member Suzanne Phillips; Member Kayleen Rosato; Member Russell Holden; Conservation Administrator John Jannell 4:01 p.m. Call to Order New Business Review second rankings spreadsheet Mr. Jannell described the new ranking chart results. It seemed likely they are not going to be recommending this as a bathing beach area. Mr. Kadzik asked why fishing went from a 10 to a 15 from Table 1 to Table 2. Ms, Farber said this was likely a result of Ms. Rosato's previous comments about hooks and littering on the beach. Ms. Rosato said she adjusted her score more favorably for kayak racks once she found out there were plans between the Recreation Advisory Committee (RAC) and Natural Resources Dept. to manage them. Mr. Jannell said he would hate to see fishing prohibited, he could reference previous land management plans, like Kent's Point, to see how they handled fishing. Discuss a date for a site visit Ms. Farber suggested a site visit before a scheduled 141 task force meeting. Tentatively set the meeting for 11/5/2020 at 3:00 p.m. Review outline for a draft land management plan /final report Mr. Jannell gave a general description of Land Management Plans (LMP) for conservation areas. Mr. Jannell discussed the process for the 141 Portanimicut LMP: A draft will be brought to the Conservation Commission and they have the option to add or subtract from it. The task force will also have to provide a report to the Conservation Commission. The report should describe the process, a sort of summary as to how the task force arrived at what they are recommending. Mr. Kadzik asked if the task force was required to propose a budget? Mr. Jannell said the charge does not require the task force to do so. Ms. Farber pointed out some of the estimates that were received, and Mr. Jannell said those numbers can be included in the report. Mr. Holden asked if the lot must be handicapped accessible. Mr. Jannell said he will look into the parking requirements and accessibility requirements. Ms. Phillips discussed some concerns including how the limited number of people on the task force limits the voices of those with varying opinions about the space. Ms. Phillips is also concerned that the report to the Conservation Commission will not include some of the other options discussed during the task force meetings, she would like other Commissions to be able to hear more of these options. Ms. Phillips also thinks it is important that the Conservation Commission delve more deeply into exactly what is happening between RAC and the Natural Resources Dept. Ms. Phillips reported on a conversation with Nate Sears (Harbormaster), who said his office can handle the administrative portion but can't handle managing the racks /storage. If kayaks are not labeled with the name and number of the owner, the result is an emergency response. Ms. Farber said it was her understanding that RAC is putting together a structure which will establish management practices and enforcement and the Natural Resource office will be limited to managing the stickers and mailings. Ms. Farber continued regarding the comment about community participation. She said there was robust participation in their first few meetings in March and comments are more than welcome to come in through her or the Conservation Office. She reiterated to the public to please participate in the meetings or contact the Conservation Office. Mr. Jannell suggested that if someone is in the minority in some action that can be described in the report. Ms. Farber said any written communications can be included in the report. For example, the communications from Open Space, Waterways, etc. Ms. Farber asked Ginia Pati if she had any public comment. Ms. Pati would like to underscore Phil's comment about being more inclusive. She said she believes a lot more people, including the shellfishermen, would like to give more input. She asked if anything was put in the newspaper inviting people to offer any thoughts. Ms. Farber said, no, not by the task force. Ms. Pati suggested running a newspaper ad before the report to the Conservation Commission. Ms. Pati was sorry to see that from Table 1 to Table 2 that everything associated with the building was eliminated. She suggested implementing upwellers on the site, she believed it would save the Town a lot of money. She reviewed the running costs she and others had previously provided. The Task Force reviewed the site plans provided by Mr. Holden. Other Business Review minutes of meeting held on 1018120 Motion: A motion to approve the minutes of 10/8/20 was made by Jack Kadzik and seconded by Russell Holden. Vote: 5 -0 -0 Motion: A motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:58 was made by Jack Kadzik and seconded by Kayleen Rosato. Vote: 5 -0 -0 Submitted by Kristyna Smith, Principal Clerk, Conservation Dept.