Conservation Commission
Meeting
December 15, 2005
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Katherine Roth, Hank Langstroth and Stephen Cremer were the members present.
7:45 p.m., Mr. Fred Martin met informally with the Commission to discuss the hilltop area of
King Philip’s Rock:
Kurt Buermann was present in the audience.
Mr. Martin presented photographs to the Commission of a sunbeam shining into the rock formation at the King Philip’s Rock site. He remarked that the angle of the sunbeam’s reflection inside the rock formation is indicative of the winter solstice. Mr. Martin stated that these photographs were taken during the 1980’s and present new evidence that the rock formation was a solar/lunar timepiece used by the Native Americans. Mr. Martin explained to the Commission that the Tribal Historic Preservation Officers of the Narragansett and Wampanoag Indians petitioned their Advisory Committees with a request to consider the site for nomination into the National Register of Historic Places. The Advisory Committees determined that King Philip’s cave and nearby rock formation merit protection and were eligible to
be nominated into the National Register of Historic Places based on the significant tribal cultural properties of the site. Mr. Martin has informed the Sharon Historical Society that he is interested in nominating the site into the National Register of Historic Places. The Historical Society encouraged more publicity pertaining to the historic interests of the site.
Mr. Martin proposes to submit an article to the Sharon Advocate concerning the new information received pertaining to the Native American historic significance of the site. Mr. Martin also discussed with the Commission the option for the Town to purchase the proposed parcel.
Greg stated that the Trust for Public Land’s position was that the Town would be required to reimburse any of their investments to purchase the proposed parcel.
The Commission discussed the possibility of acquiring a local bond under the CPA Act to help with the Town's purchase of the King Philip’s Rock parcel.
Katherine Roth suggested placing a Conservation Easement or a Historic Preservation Easement on the site if the parcel is purchased by the Town.
Peg stated that it is tentative what the Commission can commit to at this time concerning the site. However, it would be a project that the Commission would consider funding due to the significant evidence presented regarding the historic Native American cultural properties of the site.
Mr. Martin agreed to meet again with the Commission on January 19, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.
Peg requested that Mr. Martin present a map with delineated restriction lines to the Commission at its Meeting scheduled for January 19 to insure the integrity of the sight lines on the hilltop of the site.
The Commission expressed their appreciation to Mr. Buermann for his efforts in installing signs pertaining to trail information in various locations throughout the Town.
8:15 p.m., Old/New Business:
Peg informed the members of the Commission that Attorney Gelerman is working on the Mirrione Agreement for Rattlesnake Hill and that the Conservation Commission is no longer party to the Agreement due to its involvement in reviewing the project.
The Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting is closing on January 9, 2006 for petition articles and
January 16, 2006 for all other articles.
Peg requested to discuss the submittal of a Town Meeting Warrant Article to amend the CSD By-law at the next Commission meeting.
8:25 p.m., Approve past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the December 1, 2005 Meeting Minutes as amended.
Stephen Cremer moved. Katherine Roth seconded. Voted. 3-0-1.
Page 2 SCC 12/15/05 Meeting Minutes
8:30 p.m., Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. The Commission signed the Deed from Robert Chavez to the Town of Sharon for approximately 1.73 acres on Lot 4, Belcher Street. The Commission signed letters to the Board of Assessors requesting the abatement of outstanding taxes for fiscal year 2002 on the following two parcels due to the Conservation Commission obtaining the properties on 12/27/01:
Parcel 114-18, 13 Ginger Way.
Parcel 119-43, 90 Maskwonicut Street.
8:35 p.m., Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank Langstroth moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
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