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Home My Public Portal AboutPond Parcel Planning -- 2022-09-21 MinutesilI_Itii IT: t'1,a'ilj . lj hl'•'.7,� Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 026314898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 MINUTES OF THE POND PROPERTY PLANNING COMMITTEE DATE: September 21, 2022 TIME: 4:OOpm PLACE: Remote Participation Office of: Select Board Town Administrator PARTICIPANTS: Chair Doug Wilcock, Cindy Bingham, Kari Hoffmann, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Ruchinskas, Chris Williams, Jan Crocker, Steve Ferris, Cynthia Baran, Chris Williams, Katie Gregoire, Donna Kalinick, Bill Henchy, Amy Henderson, Hal Minis, Melissa Lowe, Mike Gradone, Anne Weirich (4:23pm), Call to Order, Declaration of a Quorum, Meeting Participation Statement, and Recording Statement Chair Wilcock called the meeting to order at 4:OOpm, a quorum was declared, and each member present was announced. Chair Wilcahck read the meeting and recording statements. Public Announcements and Comment None Open Space &Recreation Report- Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Gradone Ms. Taylor noted that the Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) is completed every 5-7 years and this year it was funded by the Community Preservation Committee. Various committees and departments along with two consultants collaborated on the plan, which reflects the aspirations of the community since the 1970s through today. Noting that there was extensive engagement with the public including surveys and forums. As a result of the process, the five overarching goals of the 2021 Open Space and Recreational Plan are: 1. Protect the Town's drinking water supply to meet the needs of residents and visitors today and in the future. 2. Provide open space and recreation opportunities that maintain Brewster 's rural character and small coastal community identity and support a sustainable local economy as a center for eco tourism9 3. Preserve and enhance habitat diversity and protect marine and fresh surface water resources to maintain their important ecological functions and values to the community. 4. Provide a variety of recreation and open space opportunities to promote healthy and active lifestyles for Brewster residents, ensuring equitable accessible for all users and abilities. 5. Support coordination and communication of regional open space and recreation needs. Ms. Taylor continued that there has been provisional approval for the plan and the committee is currently working through questions that the State has had about accessibility for the parcels that have been purchased using state and federal funds. In working on the plan one of the needs that kept coming across was that people wanted, more access, specifically beach access including parking at the beaches. During the pandemic odr local parks and open space was used a lot, there is a need to manage the facilities and conservation areas.i Ms. Taylor noted that the Action Plan includes timelines, potential funding resources, and responsible parties. PPPC 09.21.22 t www.brewster-ma.gov Page 1 of 4 Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 026311111898 Phone: (508) 8961113701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Office of: Select Board Town Administrator Mr. Gradone added that the biggest discovery was accessibility. The Recreation Department is working on an ADA project in creating parking spaces, walkways, etc. at the Freemans Way fields and hope to continue this to other athletic fields in Town. Adding that Brewster has a unique demographic, most people view the Recreation Department as youth sports, but the fact of the matter is that we have to provide everyone with programs, from teenagers to adults to senior citizens. Mr. Gradone noted that the need for a community center comes up a lot. Paul Ruchinskas asked that for the State and Federal grant awards, are they evaluated at all on accessibility. Ms. Taylor responded that this has not been an issue before, but it is now being questioned on parcels that may be purchased. Approval for the Plan is important as it allows us to apply for and receive state grant funds. Review of Routh Cut of Pond Parcel Video Katie Gregoire introduced the rough cut of the video, stating that this is a general outline and structure of the video. Ms. Gregoire reviewed some of the items that need to be added and/or fixed including. • Voiceover • Drone footage • Add maps of the' property throughout the video I Members took turns to `provide their feedback on the rough cut. Some of the comments included that the video meets the purpose as it is an educational piece and meets the expectation that the Committee requested. Members would like to see an overview of the property, whether it is a map or drone footage. The natural features/resources, the vegetation and wildlife the property should also'be included, and mention of the woodlands. It was decided that the script will be reviewed by the committee before the final edit. The committee would also like to showcase some of the walking trails on the property. It is important to add something that notes the property is not currently available for public use. The committee would also like to see something about the planning process that the Town is going through for both short-term and long-term use. The committee will need to develop a written distribution plan that will include dates to release the video, places it will be shared and how to roll out the video. Chair Wilcock noted that they committee would like to have the video at the start of a Select Board meeting as the first time it is released. Short Term Uses --Wayside Suns &Possible Kayak/Canoe Trips Chris Williams reviewed�the proposal to set up three wayside exhibits, one on the Bay property, one at the Pond property and one traveling exhibit to be used at meetings or other display areas. The wayside signs will include a brief history of the parcel, text on the ecological and watershed significance and mention the flora and fauna. Along with a brief piece on the planning process and what opportunities may be in the coming year. There will also be'a detailed map of the parcel, along with a QR code that would link to the video and the project page on the Town website. PPPC 09.21.22 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 2 of 4 Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 026314898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Office of: Select Board Town Administrator The committee provided their feedback and suggestions for the wayside exhibits including locations, request for a mockup of the sign for review by the committee and then the Select Board. Ms. Kalinick noted that we had discussed the pon&parcel location and decided not to put one there because it was difficult to get in and out of from Route 137. ' Mr. Williams stated that starting this fall the committee should start to plan for a spring kayak trip as the logistics will be comprehensive. Mr. Gradone offered that Recreation could be a sponsor and advertise and provide registration on their website. Ms. Lowe noted that Mass Audubon has approximately 1&24 single kayaks and trailers to move the boats, plus PFDs and paddles. Mass Audubon has watercraft safety certified staff and one lifeguardJots of resources that the committee may be able to use. There was discussion on permits, logistics and tinning that will need to be discussed for this type of event. Consultant Update Donna Kalinick mentioned that Administration is still working through the process of hiring a consultant, hope to have more information next month. Chair Wilcock noted there will bean article on the Town Meeting Warrant in November, hoping that there will be enough money available to start these projects. There was discussion about cooperative endeavors with other groups, and insurance and legal aspects of the properties and who oversees these. Update on PPPC Charge Amended on August 22"d to include, Cl Recreation Committee member, this member has not been determined yet. This will be the 111h member of the committee. FYIs Chair Wilcock noted two items in the FYIs, the Millstone Housing Site Plan and the Housing Assistance Corp and APCC GrowSmart Maps and announced the upcoming workshops. Ms. Kalinick shared that the Vision Planning Committee will be posting the draft of Local Comprehensive Plan that will be taken up at the November 14th Town Meeting. The public hearing for the joint meeting with the Select Board and the Planning Board is on October 12th at 6:30pm. Approval of Minutes from August 17, 2022 Chair Wilcock recommended a change to the August 17, 2022 draft minutes. Member Hoffmann moved to approve the amended minutes for August 17, 2022, Member Ruchinskas second. A roll call vote was taken. Member Bingham -yes, Member Hoffmann -yes, Member Taylor -yes, Member Ruchinskas-yes, Member Baran -yes, Member Williams- yes, Member Crocker -yes, Chair Wilcock - yes. The vote was 8 -Yes') 0 -No. PPPC 09.21.22 P www.brewster-ma.gov Page 3 of 4 o�O�O IEIIWI/S �/ /iii////�i E6DEq 9 F�%, Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street p a = Brewster, MA 02631-1898 y \ Phone: (508) 896-3701 —= Fax: (508) 896-8089 q pe R; Bp O� Office of: Select Board Town Administrator Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair: Chair Wilcock mentione''d that if the Bay Property Planning Committee is going to try to continue with tours of the Bay parcel, it would be nice if this could also take place for the Pond parcel. Next Meetings October 19, 2022 at 46,60pm Adjournment Member Bingham moved to adjourned at 5:39pm. Member Taylor second. A roll call vote was taken. Member Bingham -yes, Member Hoffmann -yes, Member Taylor -yes, Member Ruchinskas-yes, Member Baran -yes, Member Williams- yes, Member Crocker -yes, Chair Wilcock -yes. The vote was 8 -Yes, 0 -No. i Respectfully submitted by Erika Mawn, Executive Assistant to Town Administration Approved on: October 19, 2022 Accompanying Documents in the Public Packet: Agenda, Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan, Brewster Town Plan Excerpts PPPC Charge, Draft Minutes, Millstone Road Parcel Development Documents i PPPC 09.21.22 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 4 of 4