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2002 Conservation Commission Executive Session Minutes-RELEASED Northampton Conservation Commission Minutes of Executive Session October 10, 2002 The Northampton Conservation Commission held a meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2002 at 5:30 P.M. in Hearing Room 18, City Hall, 210 Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts. Present were members: Chair C. Mason Maronn, Joanne Montgomery, Matt Nowak, Susan Carbin and John Body. Staff: Director, Wayne Feiden, Conservation and Land Use Planner, Gloria McPherson and Board Secretary, Angela Dion. At 6:27 P.M., Maronn announced that they would be entering Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition. Maronn, Nowak, Montgomery, Body and Carbin all agreeing affirmatively to enter an Executive Session by roll-call vote. Feiden explained that there had been a reduction in the amount of recent land acquisition because the Mayor had asked that the amount be decreased in light of all of the recent budget cuts that were necessary. Feiden updated the Commission as to the status of several possible areas of land acquisition. He showed the Commission the perimeter of the Fitzgerald Lake conservation area that encompasses approximately 580 acres of land and noted nearby properties that have been approved in the past for acquisition in order to expand the conservation area. Feiden explained potential areas for the Commission to consider. Feiden showed the Commission an area of land known as the Stoddard property that is approximately 7 ½ acres of land. He explained that this property has a bad title but that he has been able to have the five known heirs sign off on it. He requested that the Commission approve it as a friendly taking for the record. Montgomery moved to approve the taking of the land known as the Stoddard property as a friendly taking. Carbin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Feiden showed the Commission an area of land known as the Gleason property that is approximately 16 acres. Feiden explained the location of the property and that this property is divided. He stated that the City is offering approximately $800 an acre for this property and that Broad Brook is willing to fund $8,000 of the total amount towards payment on the land. Body moved to approve the friendly taking of the land known 2 as the Gleason property as a friendly taking. Carbin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Feiden showed the Commission an area of land known as the Dryzgula property. He explained the history of the property and stated that back taxes are owed. He is requesting that the Commission approve a friendly taking of land for this property. Carbin moved to approve the friendly taking of the land known as the Dryzbula property. Body seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Feiden discussed a parcel of land that was donated to the Boy Scouts. He showed the Commission the location of the property. Feiden stated that he had spoken with someone from the Veterans of Foreign War and was told that there may be a way to donate the property with the condition that the Boy Scouts could continue to camp on-site. Feiden stated that he needs approval from the Commission so that he can talk to the owners with the hope of eventually acquiring the property with the owner’s consent for no money, but maybe some conditions. Body moved to accept the property if the owner is willing to donate the property. Carbin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Feiden discussed the Ryan Road house. He explained the future plans to carve off the property located on Garfield Avenue in Florence (north of Deep Woods). Feiden explained that he needs a motion from the Commission for acceptance of this open space. Feiden discussed other potential areas for the Commission to consider at a later time. He explained that there are some areas in the Saw Mill Hills area that he would also discuss with the Commission another time. Feiden discussed property on Coles Meadow Road that possibly planned as a one-lot cluster development. He explained that he needs a motion from the Commission to approve the limited development project. Body moved to approve the limited development project. Nowak seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 6:55 P.M., Maronn , Montgomery, Body, Nowak and Carbin all agreed affirmatively by roll-call vote to end the Executive Session. Northampton Conservation Commission Minutes of Executive Session October 24, 2002 The Northampton Conservation Commission held a meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2002 at 5:30 P.M. in Hearing Room 18, City Hall, 210 Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts. Present were members: Chair C. Mason Maronn, Joanne Montgomery, Matt Nowak, Susan Carbin, Frank Fournier and John Body. Staff: Director, Wayne Feiden, Conservation and Land Use Planner, Gloria McPherson and Board Secretary, Angela Dion. At 6:05 P.M., Maronn announced that they would be entering Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition. Maronn, Nowak, Montgomery, Body, Fournier and Carbin all agreeing affirmatively to enter an Executive Session by roll-call vote. Feiden began by showing the Commission, on the plans displayed, two areas of land that are related to the Lathrup project and explained the Conservation Restriction that is associated with them and the interest that the City holds. The first area of land, he explained, currently has a shed located on it that crosses the property boundary and creates an encroachment on the City owned property. He explained that the shed has been there for 60 plus years and because the shed has been there for an extended amount of time and the past surveys of the property show different boundary lines, problems such as this could lead to a dispute as to who actually owns the land. Feiden stated that Lathrup would like to refinance the property but has this ongoing issue that needs to be resolved. He explained that the City would not want to get into a legal battle regarding who owns what. Feiden described a “boundary line agreement” that would involve the City giving up approximately an acre of land as a trade in order to settle this issue. This boundary line agreement would eliminate the need to go through legislation (because of the Conservation Restriction) and would allow the issue to be resolved, Feiden explained. He requested that the Commission authorize the boundary line agreement and give up claim to land that the City is uncertain as to the correct owner. Feiden explained the second part of the agreement that would involve a trade off of approximately 11 acres of land located on Florence Road near Bassett Brook that the City would gain title to. Montgomery asked if the land would be donated to the City or would it be put into a Conservation Restriction. Feiden stated that he has not discussed that aspect yet. Body moved to accept the simultaneous transfer of land. Carbin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Commission discussed the minutes of the Executive Session held on October 10, 2002 and a minor change was suggested. Carbin moved to accept the minutes as amended. Body seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 6:33 P.M., Maronn, Montgomery, Body, Nowak, Fournier and Carbin all agreed affirmatively by roll-call vote to end the Executive Session.