The regular meeting of the Stowe Recreation Commission was held Wednesday, October 14, 2009 in the David Gale Center starting at 5:00 P.M.
Members present: Phil Scott, Bill Kelk, Holly Rochefort and Leah Hodari (5:10).
Absent: Paul Lawson. Others present: Marge McIntosh, Director; Charles Safford, Town Manager and Tom Jackman, Planning Director.
Mr. Safford was present explaining to members the Conservation Easement on the Mayo Farm, how it works in the allocation of field space and also discuss the Natural Resource Assessment of wetlands. Money was previously allocated to field K improvements and were planning fields but because of wetlands, it would be a challenge, including the Events Field (field A) Ms. Scheuermann and Justin Rabidoux, Public Works Director, met with ANR asking them how to improve the fields. They recommended doing a Natural Resource Assessment, looking at the entire farm. Nothing can be done until the assessment is completed. $40,000 was reallocated to do the resource assessment in trying to advance the process. $26,000 was spent on the assessment which addresses wetlands, migration patterns etc .$14,000 is left of allocated money. The raw data was presented to Selectboard, the next step to take and what needs to be done until it goes back to ANR. The contract (with the consultant) states not to exceed $5,000 with $9,000 remaining. Mr. Safford said unless the steps are taken, cannot go anywhere as the Corp has control of wetlands. This cannot be ignored and the town must work with them in order to develop uses the town wishes to see at the Mayo Farm. Mr. Safford read the Conservation Easement and said it states fields AB & C were set aside primarily for events—a secondary use being athletic fields but events cannot be moved to JKL or HD etc which is spelled out in the Conservation Easement. Fields JKL are the recreation zone (by easement of 25 years) and a portion (36 acres) is set aside for recreation and cannot be moved to another field. Leigh Hodari arrived at 5:15. Mr. Safford stated it is easier to mitigate class III wetlands as opposed to Class II, which are heavily protected. Staff recommendations (Tom Jackman, Justin Rabidoux) are suggesting keeping efforts on fields AB & C. Approximately 0.91 acres of Class III wetlands is located within the usable portion of Field A. Impacts less than the one-acre, the Corp of Engineers under the Vt. General Permit can approve. Impacts greater than 1 acre can only be approved through the Individual Permit process. Mr. Safford stated Mr. Godin’s primary interest in fields is to have a place where people can be moved, i.e. AB & C. It was agreed, Field K is a possibility to develop. The recommendation is: move to approve the enclosed Mayo Farm Land Use Planning & Permitting Evaluation Proposal with the goal of obtaining a General Permit with the Events Field being the priority. Additional playing fields will only be pursued to the degree they do not necessitate pursuing an Individual Permit or we are otherwise required to obtain one by the regulatory agencies. It was agreed there is the possibility of using Field K. Mr. Jackman said the Corp is asking the town to come up with a Master Plan of the Mayo Farm, described the proposed the shelter; cemetery acquisition of land, pedestrian bridge to connect ends of the bridge on the Quiet Path etc. Mr. Jackman stated the Corp could look at all the fields and possibly move around, depending on the wetlands. Marge said they are looking at two-thirds of fields JKL for recreation. Mr. Safford said the ANR could require the town to create another wetlands in order to off set the use of some of the areas and the best effect will be to keep any development under the 1-acre requirement. Phil brought up the issue of the shelter to go on field J that was approved by the voters and opposed by neighbors. Marge said she asked Bruce (Godin) his priorities and he said his first is the Events Fields (which can also be used for recreation). Taking a longer-term view and limited resources, Bruce said his next priority would be Events Field, Memorial Park and playing fields, with the understanding to get a general use field out of K. Marge said Bruce has concerns about field L as well. Mr. Safford said the thrust behind doing the Natural Resource Assessment is to keep the process going. Mr. Jackman said there are easement constraints (not Stowe Land Trust) and environmental regulatory concerns. Mr. Safford said they will be working with the consultant to see where the best location is for the shelter/where it can be placed.
Leah asked what it would take to get a footbridge at the Dog Park parking lot as it is very wet and the possibility of someone falling is possible (there are boards down now). Mr. Jackman said the parking lot could be graveled without a permit. Mr. Safford reiterated the town needs to do things up front with the NRA. There will be a meeting at the dog park Tuesday 10/20 at 9:30 AM with Mr. Safford, Tom, Bruce etc to observe the situation.
All agreed having Events Fields is of primary importance to the town. tape 1 side 2
The proposal will be going to the Selectboard (date not determined) and Marge will pass the message to members when it will be on the agenda.
Charles and Tom left the meeting and were thanked.
Marge asked members if there is support for the approach for the Events Field as first priority. Phil suggested members need to look at Field K as there was a good plan for it at one time, including the shelter and remember the Commission was allocated 36 acres for fields. Marge said the shelter, even though planned, among other things, has been put on hold pending the consultants results. After continued discussion, members asked Marge to respond to Charles saying they (Commission) is in agreement with the recommendation and that they want to get as many playing fields out of K as possible. They support going ahead with the consultant.
Minutes of September 23, 2009:
Holly moved to accept with minor corrections, seconded by Phil with all in favor.
Segway Proposal discussed: Holly distributed a summary of what had previously been discussed re: concerns of the Segway proposal. Marge will find out if a test drive can be done although there was concern re: the bridges. Members will discuss at their next meeting (November 18th) and make a recommendation to the Selectboard.
Marge told members the next meeting of the Memorial Park Master Plan will be October 28th at 7:00 P.M. at which time uses of the park will be discussed.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned on a motion by Holly at 6:45 P.M., seconded by Bill with all in favor.
