2018-06-18-CONCOM-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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FY20 Funding Request Priorities Discussion Mr. McCarron led a discussion with the Commission and Steward on possible funding priorities for FY20;both Mr. McCarron and Conservation Administrator Karen Mullins will need to submit paperwork for any FY20 funding requests as soon as September of this year. The following funding possibilities were presented by Mr. McCarron for discussion: Willard's Woods cart path restoration and/or land management/site plan. The stone dust cart path/bike path at Willard's Woods connecting Brent Rd with North Street is in need of repair/restoration. Mr. Kaufman has requested its repair for many years now. Mr. McCarron reported that the conservation office has received multiple requests from residents asking for the path to be upgraded. However, Mr. McCarron suggested that having a larger land management and site plan completed for the property first may be better than upgrading the cart path as it currently exists without a comprehensive site plan. - Mr. Hamilton agreed with this sentiment and suggested that the Commission may want the existing bike path to be made accessible. - Mrs. Dohan pointed out that the cart path and parking area on North Street don't align currently; she also pointed out that the existing bike path dumps users onto Brent Rd and North Street, neither of which have sidewalks or safe access for bikers/pedestrians. - Ruth Ladd agreed with both Mr. Hamilton and Mrs. Dohan and suggested that a management plan for the property would help the Commission determine what works best for the community before making a huge investment to upgrade the existing path. - Mr. Kaufman reminded the Commission that there is an old management plan for Willard's Woods on file completed by him sometime in the late 1980s/early 1990s that could at least be used for reference. The Commission agreed that funding for a land management/site plan for Willard's Woods should be a priority for FY20 funding. Wright Farm Barn Restoration and Educational Programming Development Alex Dohan reported that it will probably take $5 million to renovate the barn for the purpose of housing educational programming and other events. Mrs. Dohan and Mrs. Mullins are working with the Mass Audubon educational consultants to put together at least two more community forums for the fall. Mrs. Dohan reported that specific funding requests for FY20 may include: - Structural improvements to stabilize the barn - An engineering/site plan for the entire property - Completing the LMP that Jeff Collins at Mass Audubon began in 2014 (there is funding remaining for this). This project will require more discussion by the Commission to determine which specific items should be prioritized for FY20 funding.