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<br />4 <br /> <br />Willard’s Woods: Amber Carr, Conservation Coordinator returned and stated that a consultant <br />had walked the Willard’s Woods site and made some decisions that were not reflected in their <br />previous presentation. Ms. Carr stated that the proposed “wet meadow addition” is not <br />realistic for consideration and the boardwalk extension component of the project would add <br />some costs, but that the Conservation Division is actively looking for an alternative means of <br />funding the additional costs with supplemental grants. Ms. Carr also stated that the proposed <br />trail widths will be anywhere from 5-10 feet wide, depending on the section, and mentioned <br />that Brent Road serves as access for fire and other emergency services. Ms. Fenollosa asked if <br />the prior uncertainties (materials, access, parking) had been completely resolved. Ms. Carr <br />stated that the Conservation Commission meeting on December 14th would finalize those <br />decisions but reiterated that she was showing the Committee what was going to be shown to <br />the public and subject to their approval. Mr. Beuttell asked if stabilized stone dust would meet <br />access requirements or asphalt for the entrance or parking area. Mr. Sandeen asked about <br />whether or not to designate the trail area as fully accessible and whether or not that would <br />affect the construction costs. Ms. Carr stated that the policy decision would be finalized at a <br />later date but that the construction specifications would not change. Ms. Carr also stated that <br />the Conservation Commission would not build to Universal Access standards and not tell the <br />public about it. Mr. Creech mentioned that there are different widths of trails mentioned in the <br />slide presentation and suggested that bike racks be installed at the entrances so that people <br />who arrive on bikes can walk the trails instead of riding the trails. This would not require such <br />wide trails and therefore cost less money. Ms. Walker asked if the cost would remain the same <br />as the prior meeting; Ms. Carr responded that the boardwalk extension by the wet meadow <br />would increase the cost by approximately $200,000. Mr. Horton concurred with Mr. Creech’s <br />earlier suggestion about walking bicycles on the trail and Ms. Carr stated that as with Universal <br />Accessibility designation, the public meeting would determine the rules of the trail. <br />After a motion was duly made and seconded the Committee conducted a roll call vote in a <br />straw poll (8-0-1) to support the project. <br />Archaeology Bylaw: Dr. Jeff Howry, an archaeologist, joined the Committee to advocate for the <br />passage of an archaeology bylaw and request $65,000 in funding to identify sensitive sites that <br />would be protected by such a bylaw. Dr Howry explained how this would be used to save historic <br />and cultural resources and to avoid the disturbance of historic sites by construction. Dr. Howry <br />mentioned how a prior bylaw enacted by the Town of Acton provides a good legal basis for the <br />Town to adopt such a bylaw and that with the increase of commercial building, quick action is <br />needed. Ms. Fenollosa brought up concerns with the application raised by Town Counsel about the <br />sequencing of events surrounding the application (requesting funding to identify archaeology sites <br />before enacting a bylaw to protect them). Dr. Howry noted the variety of other communities that <br />have passed similar bylaws, and offered to meet with Town Counsel to assuage any specific <br />concerns that he raised. With this, the project was tabled until Dr. Howry communicates with <br />Town Counsel to answer any of his specific question s.