Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee

AMESBURY CITY HALL 62 Friend Street By City Clerk at 11:23 am, Aug 28, 2024 Amesbury, MA 01913 Amesbury Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee MEETING MINUTES December 13, 2023, 7:00 p.m. This meeting was conducted under the "Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law' G.L. c. 30A, Section 20, signed on March 12, 2020. Attending: P. Frey, J. Sherwood, P. Rettig, M. Hogg. Guest: Bill Giezentanner (Mass Audu- bon) Public: Stephen Ridgley, Bruce McBrien • Call to Order – 7:01 pm: • Minutes from October 25, 2023 meeting: Moved, seconded and unanimously approved. • Public Comment: • Bruce McBrien, Lake Gardner Improvement Association. Was disappointed to see that OSNRTC recommended to Con Comm that the ‘Silvermine’ trail be discontinued/blocked, as it is used by athletes. Also, not a fan of the newly approved trail, does not care for the layout. • Stephen Ridgley, Lake Gardner Improvement Association. Longtime resident and outdoorsman. Thinks closing Silvermine trail is a bad idea, it’s a unique asset. DCR and others maintain steep trails, no reason to close it. Offers good views. Sheds water well, stays dry. Please recommend keeping it open, reconsider recommendation to Con Comm. • Discussion: Rettig – appreciates information about usage and would reconsider recommendation. Sherwood – both recent Conservation Agents had opined that the Silvermine Trail was not ideal, as a straight down, steep trail. Reviewed context of why this trail was included in approval of new trail. Frey – also open to changing recommendation. Not likely to use Silvermine, personally. Rettig – modify recommendation to include note about signage. McBrien – happy to help installing new signage regarding new trail. Rettig – motion to remove closure recc’d and add note about signage, Hogg second. Roll call: 3 yes (Hogg, Rettig, Frey), 1 no (Sherwood). Sherwood will send along revised recommendations to Con Comm. • Po Hill Viewshed: • Bruce McBrien/LGIA: pine trees rapidly growing at top of Atlantic View, blocking viewshed from the open hillside looking NE towards Cider Hill, Mount Agamenticus, Isles of Shoals. Has discussed with Atlantic condo association, they don’t own the trees, city does. Not planted but have sprung up. Has done outreach and identified tree removers to remove pro  bono. Walked site with Nick Cracknell from City, who is in agreement to remove trees; he suggested starting with OSNRTC. Hoping to get supportive action from OSNRTC to help move this along. Shared comparative photos from different points in time. Discussion: Pascal has noticed this, as well. Frey shared screen with map, to clarify where were are talking about. Sherwood: send recommend to take action to Con Comm? Yes, send note. • Chair’s Report: Amesbury passed CPA in November election. Next step is City Council will pass an ordinance establishing a CPA committee and start collecting revenue. This will happen in next session, in early 2024. City Council passed ordinance to revise OSNRTC ordinance, City Council representation will now only be One member (not Two), with Seven for membership. Also, Sherwood meeting with prospective OSNRTC member, works with DPW. Frey confirmed that City Council can now approve membership of city employees on boards and committees (recent Charter change), with Council approval. • Referrals: none at this time • Woodsom Farm – Town Forest Land Management and Planning Update: • Kick-off with Bill G/Mass Audubon, with contract in place • First Draft of report will focus on deep dive into the land and its features: habitat, wildlife, soil types, earthforms, etc. • First Draft will not include goals for management of Woodsom Farm and Town Forest; this will come from gathering information from the public • Public Forum presents findings on the land and habitats and gathers public information regarding goals and objectives • Bill G. will be conducting site visits over coming months, will try to get invites in advance • Aim for public forum late March/early April – OSNRTC can discuss content at upcoming meetings – make sure that we invite and involve user and interest groups. • City Council activity. Sherwood asked about supplemental funding on Council agenda. First is to fund temporary position during vacancy and second is to increase the Agent’s salary in the future. • Wrap up: Sherwood will send communication to Con Comm chair with actions from this meeting. Hopefully have at least one new member joining in January 2024. Sherwood working with Cracknell on scope of work for trail assessment report, using some remaining ARPA funds, hope to get out in early 2024. • Motion to adjourn 8:15. Unanimously approved. Minutes unanimously approved at 2/28/24 meeting, respectfully submitted by Jonathan Sherwood, Chair, OSNRTC