TEWKSBURY MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE
The meeting was called to order at
The meeting minutes of
The committee discussed the draft of the Open Space and
Recreation working papers from COG.
Sweet asked if the committee felt that on the first page, second
paragraph, is “open space… for recreational uses” the only benefit since there
are different types of “open space”?
Reed brought up that in the visioning sessions the residents did feel
that our recreational open space was of high value,
but that residents also discussed wanting to keep various existing open space
“open”. Residents had also expressed a
desire for future development to respect existing vegetation, scenic road
features, and the natural topography of the land. In addition, the committee and residents in
attendance agreed that the visual benefit of open space was also of
importance. As a result, the sentence
Sweet referred to will change to “The majority of
Sweet suggested adding the Livingston St. Skateboard Park in Table #3, “Recreation Facilities”, and also added that there are 7 baseball fields, not 6 in the inventory.
In discussing the three challenges presented by COG, the
committee agreed with the challenges presented and brainstormed some ideas,
such as ensuring that we have a good tracking system in place re the number of
open space parcels and their location and type of designation. Conservation Commission should, (and is
currently), looking at updating buffer requirements. Streamlining of the Cluster was discussed, as
was possibly utilizing the current Land Use Committee or reconvening the
previous Open Space and Recreation Committee to be “in charge” of some of the
administration and tracking of open space/recreational parcels. Revisiting the Groundwater Protection Overlay
District, which the current Zoning By Law Review
Committee is also looking at, was another suggestion. COG will recommend more ideas, research ways
to acquire monies for purchasing open space, and/or look at programs in which
A motion was made by Gill and seconded by Torname to accept the committee’s amendments of the draft technical papers, “Open Space and Recreation”, which was approved by the Committee.
Discussion continued re the draft of the Natural and Cultural Resources Technical Papers. Reed informed the committee that she had spoken to Beverly Bennett of the Tewksbury Historical Commission re attending the Master Plan meeting that night, but Bennett was unable to attend due to the Historical Commission meeting at the same. The committee members decided that it would be best to wait to discuss this portion of the draft until it could see/hear input from the Historical Commission. Nancy Reed will contact Bennett to see if she (or another Historical Commission member) could attend the next Master Plan Meeting on Jan. 23, 2003.
Andrea will change the following typos-first page second paragraph, fourth line, delete “be” in …”are not be…”; and page 10, historical buildings inventory, first location, change “Street” to “Road’ after “Catamount”.
The committee basically agreed with COG’s challenges presented to the committee. Re COG’s suggestion to establishing a Wetlands Protection Overlay (Zoning) District, it was discussed that such a district may be a good fit for the Great Swamp. But the committee also thought that the wording on page 14, last paragraph re the overlay suggestion should have the following added,”to include but not be limited to…”. Sadwick will check into Mr. Carey’s question about current owners’ future access/use, such as New England Power, if the zoning changes in and around the Great Swamp.
The committee felt that the wording in Challenge #3’s strategies, “Preventing and Mitigating Pollution and Environmental Harms”, were a bit broad, but did agree with Andrea that the challenge is there in an effort to raise the issue. Reed stated that a reference to the Rocco’s needed to be added, and discussion ensued which resulted in the committee agreeing to have Andrea add text something to the effect of…”To explore and seek other uses at Rocco’s and other similar sites…” .
Andrea submitted two additional maps, #2 Wildlife Habitat”, and #3 Pollution Sources and Potential Pollution Hazards” to the committee.
The committee then approved the draft as amended and pending Historical Commission input, by a motion from Gill and seconded by Duffy.
Invoice # 0230-02-079 from COG was approved in a motion by Gill and seconded by Reed.
The next meeting will be Thursday, January 23, 2003, at the Tewksbury Police Station at 7pm. Gill motioned for adjournment at 9:33pm which was seconded by Torname.