2024-02-12-ConCom-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Conservation Commission Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia ___________________________________________________________________________ AGENDA Monday, February 12, 2024, 6:30 p.m. This Conservation Commission meeting was held remotely via Zoom, an online meeting platform. Public Participation via calling in or using your computer was encouraged. Commissioners Present: Kevin Beuttell, Duke Bitsko, Alex Dohan, Philip Hamilton (Chair), Jason Hnatko, Ruth Ladd (Vice-Chair) and Tom Whelan Staff Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Director 6:30 PM New Business/Pending Matters Discuss/Provide Feedback at the request of the Recreation and Community Programs Dept. on proposed Facility Improvements at Justin Street and Valley Road Conservation Areas, Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs Mr. Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, presented the proposed plans for playground/facility improvements at properties on Justin Street (83-99D) and Valley Road (72- 521). Both properties are owned by the Conservation Commission. A memo was provided to staff and the Conservation Commission prior to the meeting that details what is being proposed by the Recreation Department. Members of the Commission said that they would be unable to provide productive feedback on the Justin Street parcel because the wetlands on the site have not yet been delineated. A considerable portion of the Justin Street parcel is wetlands and being mowed for passive recreation purposes. Mr. Coleman said that staff want to install an accessible path from the roadway to the playground area, as well as add elements to the playground for users of different ages. The Commission recommends a wetland delineation to be performed around April or May. Mr. Coleman responded the anticipated installation date is late Spring or early Summer. Mr. Coleman stated that funding for the Valley Road parcel, which contains two tennis courts in need of replacing, is being requested at the upcoming Town Meeting. A resource delineation was performed at the site by Epsilon, and based on that information, Recreation staff are proposing to reorient the tennis courts to create a safer, accessible parking area in addition to the new courts. Mr. Hamilton noted that the resource area boundaries are not shown on the plan, but are detailed in the report. Ms. Mullins clarified that the Recreation Department is looking to expand its recreation areas to meet the demands for more pickleball courts in town. Ms. Meg Buczynski, civil engineer with Activitas, stated that the project team would ideally like to shift the courts to