Open Space Committee Regular Meeting June 4, 2014-Approved

OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 4, 2014  

CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Glassman called the Regular Meeting of the Open Space Committee to order at 4:35PM on Wednesday, June 4, 2014. The meeting was held in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. In attendance was Mary Glassman, First Selectman as well as the following committee members: Helen Peterson and Don Rieger. Members Ferg Jansen and Robert Pomeroy were absent.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Diane Nash, Merrywood, addressed the committee to request that the Town not pursue the location of the proposed Senior Center on the corner of Stratton Brook Road and Bush Hill Road. She said the committee should start the process of protecting Town open space from future development.

TANGIER HILL UPDATE
Dick Davis from the Simsbury Land Trust addressed the status of the Land Trust’s campaign to purchase and preserve Tangier Hill from the Ellsworth family. Mr. Davis indicated that the status of the acquisition is that the Land Trust is considering purchasing 75 acres instead of 91 acres, leaving a 16 acre parcel for development. Mrs. Glassman indicated the Town is working with the Simsbury Land Trust to identify funding options for the Land Trust including possible land swaps and state grants.

ETHEL WALKER WOODS PROJECT
Mrs. Glassman updated the committee that Town staff is working on the transition of the purchase of Ethel Walker open space to the Town. Mrs. Glassman said Parks and Recreation Director Gerry Toner is working with Town Engineer Jeff Shea to identify a budget and actions necessary prior to the Town taking over ownership

PHAROS FARMS OPEN SPACE FUND
Mrs. Glassman updated the committee that the Board of Selectmen will consider a request to transfer the funds from the sale of Pharos Farm to the Simsbury Land Trust into the Open Space Fund. She said the funds would then be used to pay for the ongoing costs of maintaining open space. The fund could also be a vehicle to receive donations from individuals who specifically want their donation to be restricted for open space purposes and would provide an incentive for the town to sell parcels of land that no longer fit within the long term needs of the Town. Mrs. Glassman said the Board of Selectmen will also ask for input from the Board of Finance. Mrs. Peterson said the fund has been in place for many years but that the Board of Finance has not allowed funds to be placed in the fund and that she would like to see the Open Space Fund funded.

OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs. Peterson said she would like to see the committee update the list of potential parcels of open space which should have conservation restrictions placed on them to prohibit future development. Mrs. Peterson made a motion to update the list, Mr. Rieger seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

ADJOURN
Mr. Rieger moved to adjourn the meeting, Mrs. Peterson seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to adjourn the meeting at 6 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary A. Glassman