HomeMy Public PortalAbout20230601 - Open Space Preservation Commission - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
18 MAIN STREET
HOPKINTON, MA 01748
(508) 497-9755
Open Space Preservation Commission
July 6, 2023
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Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2023
Present: Nancy Peters, Ed Harrow, Steven Levandosky, Jane Moran, Muriel Kramer
Guests: Mary Ellen Gambon, Peter LaGoy, Mike Boelsen, Donna Pagan
Mr. Levandosky Call the meeting to order at 7:00pm
Mr. Levandosky read the remote meeting script noting that Mr. Harrow was joining remotely.
TCMC Request - Mr. Levandosky explained that the town has accounts at Hopkinton Lumber;
there is a general account and one for Open Space, recently Mr. LaGoy explained that he has
been discouraged from using the general account but had been asked not to open a new account.
Mr. LaGoy explained that if he were to use the Open Space account he would pay the invoice
and it wouldn’t come from the Open Space budget. Mr. LaGoy explained he attempted to set up
an account through the town finance department, however it hasn’t been done. Ms. Moran
suggested that TCMC set up an account with Hopkinton Lumber and discouraged the use of the
Open Space account, as she would hate to see the two groups get mixed up. Ms. Peters explained
she wasn’t sure why TCMC would be using the Open Space account, and recommended circling
back with the town accountant to set up the separate account.
Mr. Levandosky explained the situation came up because Hopkinton Lumber wanted to limit the
amount of new accounts. He explained that he didn’t see a problem with TCMC using the Open
Space account, as it would help Hopkinton Lumber out with limiting new open accounts. Ms.
Peters explained that the town should be helping set up the account versus passing the problem
along to another board/committee. Ms. Moran suggested that it would send a message that
TCMC was a subcommittee for Open Space which could be awkward. Mr. Levandosky
suggested a proposal that for the time being TCMC could use the Open Space account, however
agrees that each committee/board should have their own line of credit. Mr. Levandosky’s
suggestion was to allow the committee to use the account for 6 months until they could set up
their own account. Ms. Moran suggested that the Hopkinton Lumber could send the invoices
directly to Mr. LaGoy’s home. Mr. Harrow suggested reaching out to assistant town manager
Elaine Lazarus and accounting to figure out where the invoices should be going.
Motion to allow TCMC the use of the Open Space account at Hopkinton Lumber for lumber for
the Town Forest bridge through September, with the invoices to be paid by TCMC was made by
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July 6, 2023
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Mr. Levandosky and seconded by Ms. Peters. Roll call vote Nancy Peters - Yes, Jane Moran -
No, Ed Harrow - Yes, Steven Levandosky - Yes.
Ms. Kramer is present at 7:31pm
Invasives at Pratt Farm - Mr. Harrow explained that he had been to the site several times, as well
as to Turkey Ridge and was not sure where funds would come from for invasive removal. He
explained the invasives will become a major problem if nothing is done about it. Mr.
Levandosky inquired if Mr. Harrow was recommending something similar to work being done at
Whitehall conservation. Mr. Harrow explained that he had put in a request with the wetland
scientist for the Conservation Commission, however would like to hire someone to some degree.
Ms. Peters inquired as to who was authorized to make invasive removal decisions for Pratt Farm,
to which Mr. Levandosky explained that Open Space had taken on the invasive management role
for Pratt Farm. Mr. Boelsen explained that had been working with the invasives at Pratt Farm
and that money had been spent on the removal of Autumn Olive. It was recommended that Mr.
Harrow contacted the company working at Turkey Ridge. It was explained that there is
Bittersweet, Japanese Knotweed as well as Autumn Olive at Pratt Farm. There was a discussion
on if Open Space should include a line item for invasive removal. Mr. Harrow explained that he
would reach out and get some quotes.
Website - Mr. Harrow spoke with Ms. Groves about the Green Committee’s website and
inquired if they would be able to assist Ospc with creating one of their own. The committee
spoke about what they would like to see on the website; which includes information about the
commission and maps. It was suggested that members look at surrounding town’s websites to see
what others are doing.
Umina Property - Mr. Harrow explained that he and Mr. Sader had provided the town manager
with the letter of intent for the property. There had been a meeting with Mr. Khumalo scheduled,
however that meeting had to be rescheduled. Mr. Harrow explained the property owner was
interested in selling all his property, he explained that there is an agreement with Blue Wave to
potentially develop solar on 5-8 acres of the property. Mr. Levandosky inquired if there had been
a discussion about getting an appraisal done, to which Mr. Sader explained that he wasn’t sure
however would be providing Mr. Khumalo with all the information. There was a conversation
about whether or not the property was in Chapter 61. Ms. Peters explained that she hadn’t been
at the meeting where this property was discussed, so inquired if the commission had been out on
a site walk. Mr. Sader explained that he would be happy to help facilitate a site walk. There was
a discussion about member availability for a site walk.
Jenner Property - There was a discussion about the Jenner Property, it was discussed that the
commission should wait until the town officially owned the property before scheduling a site
walk. Ms. Peters inquired as to what the hold up was with the purchase, Mr. Harrow offered to
reach out to the town manager to ask.
Turkey Ridge - Mr. Harrow explained he would like the Commission to go on a site walk of the
property. There was a question about invasives on the property, and who would pay for the cost
of its removal. Mr. Levandosky inquired about the boundary markings and if they weren’t
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July 6, 2023
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marked who would be responsible for marking them. There was a discussion as to if the survey
was done if it would be acceptable for an organization like HALT. Mr. Harrow will reach out to
the developer to get plans.
ConCom properties Survey - Mr. Harrow inquired about any updates on the project, to which
Ms. Soares commented that she would reach out to Marquedant and ask for an update.
Minutes May 11, 2023 - Edits to the minutes to include that Russ Phipps wanted to be paid “over
time” not overtime as it was written. Sad Sader’s name was incorrectly recorded.
Motion to approve the May 11, 2023 meeting minutes as amended was made by Ms. Peters and
seconded by Ms. Moran. The motion was unanimously approved.
New Business - Ms. Pagan inquired as to what properties the Open Space owned, which had
conservation restrictions. Ms. Peters offered to help assist with the parcels. There was a
discussion about an interactive map showing all open space not just parcels that the Commission
owns. Ms. Peters also suggested adding the legislation that created Open Space on the website.
Ms. Moran inquired if Open Space had a budget for website creation.
Motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Moran and seconded by Ms. Peters. The motion was
unanimous.
Minutes approved November 16, 2023