HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210902 - Open Space Preservation Committee - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
18 MAIN STREET
HOPKINTON, MA 01748
(508) 497-9755
Minutes of Meeting: 2, September 2021
The Hopkinton Open Space Preservation Commission (OSPC)met both at 18 Main Street lower
level and remotely by Zoom
Present: Ed Harrow, Steven Levandosky, Jane Moran (Zoom), Nancy Peters
Guests:Dave Goldman
7:03 PM: OSPC CALL TO ORDER:
Open Public Forum
Mr. Harrow explained that he had sent in money to secure a table at the Poly Arts event that
would take place September 18, 2021.
Encroachment
4 Sylvan Way - There was a disagreement as to where the li ne that John Coolidge and Morrie
Gasser pointed out. The Commission spoke about how the property was pinned.
Motion to hire a legally licensed surveyor to do the back line in question and mark the data
points to help with restoration. motion was made by Ms. Peters, seconded by Mr. Levandosky.
Roll call vote: Nancy Peters - Yes, Steve Levandosky - Yes, Ed Harrow - Yes, Jane Moran - No
Vote.
61 Winter - Mr. Harrow explained that he and Ms. Soares have gone back to the building
department to set up a site walk with the owner. He explained that there “was stuff” on the open
space land. There was a question about where the property lines are as the property owner may
have moved some of the markers Mr. Gasser put up. Ms. Peters noted that there have been issues
at that property in the past with excessive markers. She suggested getting a survey done at the
property to ensure placement is correct, and scaling back on the markers. The Commission spoke
about how there was a trail proposed on the town property which was very close to 61 Winter
Street, they inquired if there were rules on set back on how close trails could be to a residence.
Mr. Goldman noted that he was not aware of any set back rules for trails.
Lake Maspenock
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DRAFT
Mr. Harrow reported that through the Conservation Commission he toured the area by boat and
was able to speak to some of the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association members. He
explained that the members were in support of the Open Space Preservation Commission
purchasing the lake lots.
Ms. Peters inquired about the parcels of interest sheet asking if it only included certain
properties, noticing that certain parcels were left off. Mr. Levandosky agreed that it was only a
partial list. The Commission spoke about other properties of interest including J.B Sawmill, and
property connected to Arenas.
Whitehall Conservation Area
Mr. Harrow explained that he was still attempting to connect with DCR in regards to the
telephone pole. He met with John Westerling to see if the DPW would be able to remove it. The
Japanese Knotweed he explained was almost impossible to get through, the Bittersweet in that
area was not visible . Mr. Levandosky explained that he had received an email from a high
school student looking to do some volunteer work, and there was a possibility that he could assist
with some of the removal of the invasives. Mr. Levandosky explained that he would have Chuck
Dauchy assist with the marking, or explaining to the volunteer. Ms. Moran suggested the use of
goats, Mr. Harrow explained that he had looked into goats however they required fencing and it
was a significant cost.
Parcels of Interest
43 East Main Street - Mr. Levandosky showed a map of the area explaining that the parcel was
located near Legacy Farms and abuts two parcels owned by the Town and one owned by HALT.
The Commission spoke about how the front of the parcel has a house on it, while the back of the
parcel is wooded. Spengler was the previous owner. Ms. Peters noted that Open Space had
attempted purchase the property in the past however the owners were persuaded not to sell. Ms.
Peters recommended that Mr. Harrow call Mr. Doherty about the parcel.
The Commission proposed to send the additional parcel to Mr. Khumalo; but there was also a
discussion on the amount of properties that had recently been sent to him. The Commission
spoke about what parcels had already been sent to Mr. Khumalo. The list included: Issadore,
Conroy, McDonough, Lake Lots on Maspenock Woods. Mr. Levandosky explained that there
was a need to widen the search on potential parcels. The Commission spoke about the state
regulations that created the Open Space Preservation Commission. Mr. Goldman added that when
the Open Space Preservation Commission was created there was a separate funding source that
allowed for the politics of land purchasing out of buying the land. Mr. Levandosky explained that
if what Ms. Moran said was true, Mr. Khumalo prefers when a board/organization approaches the
land owner to gage their level of interest. Mr. Harrow suggested that he would start reaching out
to the land owners.
Legacy Farms Open Space - There is a requirement that the area be kept in a natural state.
Mowing takes place 4 times a year by the Dartmouth Group. Mr. Levandosky explained that two
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2, September 2021
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weeks ago the grass was knee high, however when called the management group was very
responsive. Mr. Levandosky believes it would be in the best interest if the property was managed
by a local group; ideally he would like to have an agreement that would allow for the creation of
new trails and for the permission to clear any overgrowth. Ms. Moran noted that she didn’t
believe owner Mr. McDowell would give up the property, however he probably would be open to
working with the town on adding new trails. Mr. Harrow explained that there were no
conservation restrictions on the parcel, however the land is restricted with a management plan
which was very similar to a conservation restriction. Mr. Levandosky spoke about how he’d like
the town to get some type of agreement that allowed for trail creation, and management of the
meadow. Ms. Moran explained that it was possible to set up a meeting with the land owner,
however she didn’t believe unrestricted access would be given. Ms. Peters doesn’t believe that
Open Space should be involved in trail maintenance, as the town does have a trail club. The
Commission spoke about sending a memo to the TCMC to send a letter to Roy McDowell. Ms.
Peters and Ms. Moran both spoke about how the property is privately owned. Mr. Harrow asked
Ms. Moran if she would be willing to reach out to Mr. McDowell. Ms. Moran also recommended
talking to Ms. Lazarus; she believes the Open Space Preservation Commission would never get
an official letter of agreement. Ms. Peters suggested getting volunteers vs. Open Space Funds to
maintain the meadow. Mr. Levandosky noted that he is not saying the Dartmouth group is
delinquent in their management of the property, however he believes that there were
improvements that can be made.
Town Owned Open Space - Management
The Commission spoke about how when land is purchased, if it is not specifically listed to go to
the Open Space Preservation Commission it is put into the Select Board’s name. They inquired
how they would go about getting the land managed by the Select Board into the Commissions
name. They spoke about how land owned by the town that is deemed to be Open Space should
be managed by the Commission. Mr. Harrow explained that any change would potentially need a
town meeting vote. Mr. Levandosky believes that the Commission should be responsible for
management of the Town’s larger open space parcels with trails; other Commission members
disagree. The Commission spoke about asking for management control over Berry Acres. Mr.
Harrow will talk to Conservation Commission chair Jeff Barnes to gauge his opinion.
Sign
Mr. Harrow reported that Mark Pillsbury would not be able to make the sign. He reported that
Peter LaGoy had recommended a sign company and he was going to be getting a quote.
Website
Mr. Harrow reported that there were no updates, Ms. Moran questioned if there was a designer.
Ms. Peters recommended that the Commission hire someone to design the website, she suggested
reaching out the Mr. Gasser on who helped design their website. TCMC was also looking to
create a website, so there is a possibility the same company could help design a website.
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CPC Applications
The Commission spoke about how there was money for Open Space use and they would love to
see the purchase of land. Mr. Levandosky explained that Mr. LaGoy applied for a grant and if it
didn’t happen there was a potential that the Open Space Preservation Commission could
cosponsor the bridges. Berry Acres is another area that is in need of bridges. Ms. Peters
commented it would be wonderful to have a community garden.
Whitehall Conservation Area
Mr. Harrow spoke about how the Conservation Restriction holders were prohibited from using
herbicides however the area is outside of the Conservation Commission jurisdiction. Mr.
Levandosky would like to see a mechanical approach for removal and herbicides as a last resort.
Minutes
Check the header and footers from June/July
Motion to accept the July 23, 2021 Meeting minutes as presented was made by Ms. Peters. the
motion was seconded by Mr. Levandosky. Roll call vote Steven Levandosky - Yes, Nancy Peters
- Yes, Jane Moran - Yes, Ed Harrow - Yes
Motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Peters and seconded by Mr. Levandosky. Roll call vote
Steven Levandosky - Yes, Nancy Peters - Yes, Jane Moran - Yes, Ed Harrow - Yes
Minutes approved October 7, 2021
Documents Location
Open Space Preservation Commission Agenda September 2, 2021 Web Meeting Calendar
Meeting Minutes July 23, 2021
** All material listed posted on Web Calendar are also available in OSPC Files
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