Conservation Commission
Meeting
March 18, 2010
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Meredith deCarbonnel, Stephen Cremer, Hank Langstroth, and
Elizabeth McGrath, were the members present.
7:45 p.m.: Updates:
- Public Lands Preservation Act:
The Conservation Administrator and the members of the Commission reviewed an e-mail received from Kurt Buermann concerning the proposed legislation for Article 97, The Public Lands Preservation Act. Article 97 of the State Constitution would grant citizens of Massachusetts a right to a clean environment and the enjoyment of natural resources on conservation lands, parks, playgrounds, and other public land that is supposed to be protected. Public land acquired for natural resource purposes would not be converted to other uses, or otherwise disposed of, without a two thirds vote of each branch of the legislature under Article 97.
Peg called for a motion for the Conservation Administrator to notify www.protectmassenvironment.org about the Commission’s willingness to be listed as a supporter of the proposed Public Lands Preservation Act.
Stephen Cremer moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 5-0-0.
-Re-establishment of Dog Ban on Town Beaches:
The Conservation Administrator, and the members of the Commission, discussed the Recreation Director’s request to re-establish the policy banning dogs from the public beaches and parks contiguous to Lake Massapoag.
Peg called for a motion for the Commission to encourage the Selectmen to ban dogs, and other domesticated animals, from the Town beaches in order to maintain adequate water quality and ensure public health.
Meredith deCarbonnel moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. 4-0-1.
-Massapoag Sportsmen’s Club Special Act Petition Legislation:
Peg explained to the Commission that the legislative action for the conveyance of land approved by the Town under Article 12 of the November 9, 2009 Special Town Meeting has been approved by the State House and is now pending with the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Commission discussed the Community Preservation Committee’s opinion that since the Massapoag Land Swap project was not acquired with CPA funds, it does not meet the requirement for CPA funding of the stewardship portion of the project. The Commission discussed the need to seek other sources for funding the Conservation Restriction monitoring of this project.
-Horizons for Youth Conservation Restriction:
The Commission discussed the need for a third party non-profit organization to hold the Conservation Restriction on the Horizons for Youth project due to the Town’s purchase of the property before the Conservation Restriction was already in place.
8:30 p.m., The Friends of Conservation presentation of the Conservation Commission’s 50th Anniversary Brochure:
Arlyne and Richard Mandell, from the Friends of Conservation, presented the Commission with a draft copy of an informational brochure acknowledging some of the Commission’s achievements during the past 50 years. The information for the brochure was obtained from the Town’s Annual Reports and historical documents. The brochure expresses the Commission’s gratitude to the citizens of Sharon as well as the Town’s civic and conservation organizations, and various Town boards/committees for supporting the Commission’s projects over the past 50 years. Richard Mandell explained to the Commission that Rita Corey did a significant amount of research in completing the brochure.
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The interesting research findings include the Town‘s 50% reimbursement from a Self Help Grant for the purchase of the St. Francis Retreat, presently known as the Sharon Community Center. The Sharon Conservation Commission was sixth in the country to be created, and the first to qualify for and receive Self-Help funds. The brochure will be printed on recycled paper, paid for by private donations, and mailed to local residents using the Town’s Bulk Rate Postage Permit.
Rita Corey presented the Commission with a collection of Commission’s reports that were printed in theTown’s Annual Reports from 1959 to the present.
Richard Mandell presented the Commission with a draft copy of a Sharon Friends of Conservation informational brochure stating their support of the Commission’s goals.
The Commission expressed their appreciation for the efforts put forth in highlighting the background and the accomplishments of the Commission.
8:45 p.m., Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the March 4, 2010 Meeting Minutes as amended.
Hank Langstroth moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. 4-0-1.
8:50 p.m., Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. Extension Permit for Order of Conditions for DEP File #SE-280-252,
Essex Pond, 742 Mountain Street. Certificate of Compliance for Lot 2, 235 Billings Street,
DEP File # SE-280-0507.
8:55 p.m., Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank Langstroth moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 5-0-0.
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