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In attendance: Gene Benson, Jane Howard, Elizabeth
Karpati, AnnLeRoyer, David White. The meeting was facilitated by Gene Benson. The minutes are by Elizabeth
Karpati.
Next Meeting: Monday, November 25; Monday, December 16: all at 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Annex, First Floor Conference Room
Progress Reports:
· The cleanup on Sept. 28 improved part of the path around the Res, from
where Munroe Brook enters it to the playground, by spreading a large amount of wood chips and laying branches along the edge to prevent the
wood chips from washing into the water.
· The Bishop School fifth-graders had their walk around the Reservoir today, using a revised version of the guide David presented at the last
meeting (the guide is on the website now). David and Leslie Mayer accompanied the students, who clearly enjoyed the event.
Issues for the future:
· We have had no news for months about plans for the dam; the whole thing
may be delayed for some time by budget woes. We need to find out where we stand.
· Gene reported that the state has recently amended its dam inspection law to require annual inspections and reports, and possibly fines for
violations; DEM is to promulgate regulations for implementation. We should get copies of the law and regulations.
· If the dam project is delayed, what should the committee do while waiting for the next step? We could organize subcommittees around the
five goals – water quality; water management; flora & fauna; public use and open space; public awareness – and have each subcommittee
develop an agenda for achieving that goal. (A sixth subcommittee would be needed for liaison with DPW.)
· Stewardship, e.g. cleanups and removal of debris that piles up against
culverts after a rainstorm, is an ongoing need regardless of what happens to the dam. Some of it could be done as Eagle Scout projects. We should
make a checklist of regular maintenance needs.
· We should be concerned with control of water flowing into the Reservoir
as well as out of it.
· Mill Brook problems: Stump dump piles are being pushed toward the brook. “Tiger cage” opposite Watermill Place gets clogged with debris.
Have annual walk along the brook to check for problems?
· We should get the Colonial Village condo association to send a representative to the Res committee regarding flooding issues.
· Wildlife and vegetation management issues: Water chestnut control (and
money for it). Possibly poison ivy control? (But seeds are food for birds.) Arrange to get goose eggs addled, or possibly get a permit to
do it?
· It would be desirable to have the park open year-round in the daytime,
but this would require someone opening and closing it each day. Meet with Parks & Rec before the next swimming season about this?
· We should also be monitoring what is happening about the Busa farm and
the adjacent Busa property
Topic for November meeting: Our goals and how to
reach them. By the November meeting we should have something for the census insert.
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