===PAGE 1=== Open Space Ad Hoc Committee Wednesday, January 11, 2023 – 7:30 PM Minutes Members Present: Brandon Kibbe, Ana Lockwood, Michael Toohill (Chair), Eric Hinds, Matthew Allison 1. Chairman Toohill called meeting to order at 7:32pm. 2. Review and Approve Minutes, 9/8/22: Tabled, minutes not available. Lockwood to revisit meeting recording and provide minutes for next meeting. 3. Select Vice Chair and Clerk: Toohill explained roles, Vice Chair to run meetings in Chairman’s absence, Clerk to take minutes. Vice Chair: Lockwood, Clerk: Kibbe. Unanimously voted. 4. Report on Title Examination of 0 Lake Shirley Reservoir: Title report inconclusive. Toohill to follow up with Town Counsel to review title examination and discuss next steps. 5. Discussion-Parmenter Road: Lockwood presented Parks Commission interest in development of cartop access for canoes and kayaks at Parmenter Road property, currently owned as “general municipal” land by the Town; could be converted to care and control of the Parks Commission. Parks Commission would like Open Space Committee to provide advice and guidance on process to be led by Parks Commission. Kibbe inquired about process and timing for when care and control should be pursued, earlier or later in the process, while such a project is being evaluated. 6. Annual Town Report: Toohill will be filing FY’22 town report. 7. Notice of the MA Open Space Conference. Toohill reports that the Open Space Conference is coming up in February, he has participated in the past and found it to be very helpful, and recommends others attend if they can. 8. Open Space Plan 2019-2026: Toohill reports that a link to the open space committee website provided on agenda for public information and access to the Open Space Plan. https://www.lunenburgma.gov/boards-commissions-committees/open-space-ad-hoc- committee 9. MassTrails Grant: https://www.mass.gov/guides/masstrails-grants. Toohill announced availability of MassTrails Grant. Kibbe reports that the program is one that has been effectively used by the Conservation Commission, with support from the Lunenburg Snowriders, to accomplish many successful access improvements on Lunenburg Conservation Lands. Parks Commission could also utilize such grants for improvements at Northfield Park (former Saliba property on south side of Northfield Road), possibly collaborative project with Conservation Commission. Lockwood mentioned interest in trail development at Marshall Park down to pond, with ADA accommodations. 10. Committee Comments/Concerns: No comments 11. Public Comment: a. Joel Swenson – Neighbor. Was under impression of a boat ramp not cartop access at Parmenter Road, but now understands. Town lot is corner lot at intersection of 3 roads, two of which are dead ends and serves as school bus turn around. Atypical to allow on- street parking on an outside turn/corner lot. Does not agree that this is “perfect lot” ===PAGE 2=== based on grade, could be very difficult to meet ADA requirements and comply with Lunenburg Wetlands Bylaw. b. Mary Perkins – Neighbor. Asked about role of Parks Commission, which was answered by Lockwood. Concerned about trailer access, particularly for jetskis. Concerned about invasive species, public safety and sanitation, assurance that users are Lunenburg residents. Lockwood answered that these are exactly the types of questions we need to be identifying to see if a project can be designed. Ms. Perkins continued to describe work of Lake Shirley Association, and the association’s fundraising, to keep the lake beautiful. “Millionaires Cove” once choked with weeds, cleaned up by Lake Shirley Association. Toohill interjected to remind participants that the Open Space Committee only serves an advisory role and cannot make any decisions about the future of this property; the committee is very interested in understanding the public’s interests and concerns to inform its participation in the process. c. Tracy Casavecchia – Neighbor. Concerned about trailer access at Parmenter Road parcel and on-street parking hindering resident and emergency access to the residential area. d. Gary & Maureen Stint – Neighbor. Concerned about parking at Parmenter Road parcel that could encroach on neighboring properties, cause damage, limit access by residents to their properties. Supports posting no parking in areas to limit on-street parking. e. Karin Menard – Former Parks Commission chair and former member of Open Space Committee. Encourages the participation of the public with Parks Commission. Clarifying comments by Lockwood regarding previous comments mentioning trailers were not intended to infer boat ramp at Parmenter Road site, but that some users may bring their light craft to such a cartop access site on a trailer for their ease of loading and unloading boats to then be carried to and from launch. Asked about former grants written and received to support Saliba acquisition; Kibbe wrote and will share those applications, as well as review and advise on other grant applications being pursued by Parks Commission. f. Joel Swenson – Former owner adjoining parcel had fence on property and was asked to remove. Concern about town liability for injury if area is not improved. Encouraged town to consider existing cartop access point on Reservoir Road. Chairman Toohill reminded the group of the earlier conversation during this meeting about that parcel and title constraints. g. Mary Perkins – Asked about grants for invasive species and lake management. Kibbe recommended looking into the Massachusetts Coalition of Lakes and Ponds (COLAP). Lake Shirley Association likely members. Most expertise and best resource for lake associations. Perkins continued to ask about property on Hickory Hills recently bequeathed to Conservation Commission. h. Matthew Allison – Hickory Hills parcel not owned by the town; the Conservation Commission will be the beneficiary of proceeds from the sale. Clarified that care and control is approved by Town Meeting, confirmed by Kibbe. Supports idea of cartop access at Parmenter Road parcel. Supports limiting Parmenter Road parcel to cartop/hand-carry access. Could increase police patrols. Could issue town permits (like Town Beach). Planning process has a long way to go. ===PAGE 3=== i. Kibbe – Site and design limitations can limit the total access pressure on a cartop access at Parmenter Road. Small parking areas at conservation areas, for instance, similarly limited, do not have paid attendants or permits. j. Lockwood – Asked that this topic be on future agendas for the Open Space Committee to make a recommendation. 12. Next Meeting Scheduled: 2/8/2023 13. Kibbe motion, Allison Seconded. Unanimously voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:51pm. Respectfully submitted, Brandon Kibbe