Open Space Acquisition Committee

Open Space Acquisition Committee - Aug 13 2026 Agenda Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 4:30 PM Municipal Services Facility Conference Room 929 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME Page A. Opening Procedure 1. Call to Order 2. Attendance/Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes From June 11 Meeting 2 Open Space Acquisition Committee Meeting Minutes - June 11, 2026.pdf B. Administrative 1. Public Comment C. Meeting Items 1. Save Our Shipyard Presentation 2. Property Updates 3. Outreach Strategies D. Reports and Updates 1. South Portland Land Trust 2. Conservation Commission 3. City Staff E. Closing Procedures 1. Date of next schedule meeting 2. Future agenda items Adjourn Page 1 of 3  Open Space Acquisition Committee Meeting - June 11, 2026 Municipal Services Facility Conference Room, 929 Highland Ave. Members Present: Adrienne Jalbert, Valerie Beggs, Tiffanie Bentley, Jonathan Breul, Matthew Civello, Tex Haeuser, Rachael Coleman (ex oficio), Karl Coughlin (ex oficio) Staff Present: nonw Members Absent: Peter Wilson, Michael Michaelson Meeting Called to Order - 4:30 pm. Approve April Meeting Minutes - Tex Haeuser and Rachael Coleman requested corrections to the spelling of their names. Tex Haeuser moved to accept the minutes as amended. Jonathan Breul seconded. The vote was unanimous. Public Comment - No members of the public were present for public comment. Property Updates No updates to existing properties that the committee has already reviewed. 199 and 200 New York Ave. Parcels - Under contract. The future owner has indicated that they plan to develop housing will be developed on the site and that some space will be devoted to open space and/or trails. 125 Alfred Street Parcel - .An undeveloped parcel of approximately.5 acres near Dyer School and adjacent to an unofficial trail that is used by the neighborhood. No road access to property. City City recently foreclosed on property for non-payment of property approximately $500 in property taxes. Tex Haeuser moved to recommend that the City acquire the parcel for the unpaid property taxes, about $500. Jonathan Breul seconded. Vote was unanimous. 107 Marcelle Ave. - 7500 square foot lot available on Zillow. Lot is between two homes and buildable. The committee elected not to consider it further. 50 Dyer Street. - .33 acre lot in Ferry Village, already improved, available on Zillow. Committee members noted that the area has multiple open spaces in proximity and that the lot includes a home and elected not to consider it further. Old Joe’s Pond - no communication from owner; no update from the Planning Department. Acquired Properties Elm and Forest Parcel in Pleasantdale - Received a community development block grant to develop a playground on the site. Construction is under way and will be done soon. This is the only park in Pleasantdale. Page 2 of 3 Petrolik Conversation Area - Continuing to mow it. City is applying for a grant to put in trails and boardwalks. Should know whether we get it by September. A small parking lot has been added. Ribbon cutting will be scheduled once some of the improvements can be made. An update will be provided at August meeting. The Piggery - City is not planning any improvements to the property at this time. Related to Open Space Eastern Trail Connection - construction progressing ahead of schedule. Property Outreach Strategies After City budget is ratified and the committee knows whether $2500 budget was approved, at August meeting, committee plans to consider possible outreach (mailers, etc.). South Portland Land Trust Update - Tex Haeuser ●​ Approvals are in place for Long Creek Trail construction. ●​ Good response to volunteer request to assist with light labor. ●​ Programming group doing well - a variety of trail walks planned (for birders, etc.) Conservation Commission Update - Adrienne Jalbert (on behalf of Peter Wilson) ●​ Has not met - no update. City Staff Update - Karl Coughlin ●​ No additional update. Meeting Adjourned - Jonathan Breul moved to adjourn the meeting. Tex Haeuser seconded. Vote was unanimous and meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm. NEXT MEETING - August 13, 2026, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm, Municipal Services Building Conference Room, 929 Highland Avenue. Save Our Shipyard will attend the August meeting to discuss their efforts towards open space. Page 3 of 3