Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Advisory Committee

Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Advisory Committee MINUTES Wednesday, May 8, 2019 NEXT MEETING: June 12, 2019, 7:30 pm in the Committee Room at Hartley Dodge Memorial Building. Please notify Melissa if unable to attend. PRESENT: A. Baillie, C. Kellogg, M. Honohan, J. Rhodes, G. Limbach, N. Bruce, D. Mantone, L. Ellis GUESTS: Steve McAuliffe, Steve Stocker, Brian Monahan, Alice Wade, John Taylor I. Call to Order at 7:30 pm by M. Honohan II. Approval of the Jan. 2019 minutes: Astri Baillie moved; Jill Rhodes seconded the motion to approve the minutes with no amendments. The role of Secretary remains open. In the absence of a volunteer for the role, it was decided for each committee member to take a turn at taking minutes. Melissa Honohan volunteered to take minutes for the May meeting. III. MRC Meadow Restoration Funding Request: Steve McAuliffe presented the proposal to implement the conservation management plan done for the Borough by the Land Conservancy of New jersey in July 2016 on the 14-acre open meadow portion of the MRC. The project includes:  Removal of invasive species (especially Bradford Pear)  Site preparation  Seeding with native wildflowers and grasses  Planting native trees and shrubs  Optional area planted with native berry shrubs and open to the community to harvest. Deer fencing for berry patch would be included. Jared Rosenbaum from Wild Ridge Plants (a certified ecological restoration practitioner) would be retained to provide specifics on invasive removal, seed mixes, edible plants and maintenance requirements. The project has wide support from several local environmental groups. Contributions to date from various organizations are $13,425. The request for $49,275 was made to the Open Space Committee for the three-year project. Nancy Bruce moved to approve the grant request; Jill Rhodes seconded. The motion passed unanimously without objection. IV. Parks Advisory Committee Request for Dog Park Funding: John Taylor presented the funding request. The Committee has done an exhaustive review of potential sites for a dog park in Madison. Memorial Park is the site which provides the best area to include a water sources, firm ground, parking and access. Maintenance has been addressed and the fencing – to be added – would not infringe on the designated wetland. A GoFundMe site has raised $5,000 to date to support expenses associated with the dog park. The request for $18,797 was made to the Open Space Committee for the establishment of  the dog park. Lisa Ellis moved to approve the grant request; Nancy Bruce seconded. The motion passed unanimously without objection. V. Review of the Draft Open Space and Recreation Plan Update: The members reviewed and suggested changes to the document. VI. Entered Executive Session VII. New Business: There was no new business. 8:40 pm meeting adjourned Respectfully submitted, Melissa Honohan