Fresh from a major victory when the November 5 Marion Town Meeting approved its purchase of the Hoff Property and accepted the donated connected lands, the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission met on November 12 via Zoom.
The focus turned to plans for a multi-use path along Point Road that would run from the Fire Station at Rebecca Drive to the far end of Jenna Drive. “There is a multi-use path being planned by MOSAC…. In addition to paths through Hoff and other properties, we have this going through neighborhoods,” said Vice Chair Alan Harris.
In his Point Road (path) update, MOSAC Chairman John Rockwell reported receiving a punch list from the Department of Public Works under former member Jeff Oakes’ review at that time. Rockwell said he met earlier that day with Town Administrator Jay McGrail, and they plan to meet with Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering.
“G.A.F. isn’t aware of the work we put into this and how we came up with that plan, so we’ll meet with them and … talk about the issues because I think they’d be narrowed down a lot,” said Rockwell. “They were talking about lack of a survey and tying into a benchmark, and we have that town bound behind those rocks, and if we already have that in our notes where that town-bound is, we can tie it in. And then we’ll be tied into a benchmark.”
Rockwell said he was reading a set of plans “for permit only.”
“Those plans were never intended to go to bid,” said Oakes, an engineer who has been assisting the commission in seeing through the permitting process.
Harris thanked Oakes for his time and asked him and Rockwell if they knew how many hours they have been putting into the project. “We stopped counting,” said Rockwell. “If somebody is watching this, they ought to appreciate that a small conversation represents several days out there,” said Harris.
“Maybe the barn door is closed on this, but, I mean, keeping track of (the hours) may be helpful,” said board member Amanda Chace. “For future projects, that’s what I’m thinking in terms of people estimating costs because this is all in-kind what we’re getting, which is wonderful.” Oakes acknowledged the point and said that kind of record-keeping could prove valuable for future projects.
The next item on the agenda was open space signage. Harris reported posting signs over by the Washburn parcels, removing a Sippican Lands Trust sign that did not belong (Harris is vice president of the SLT). “They look very nice,” said Harris of the signs, referencing another sign at the Goldavitz Bog. “Hopefully that will serve notice that there is an obstacle there.”
Harris said he typically takes his dogs for a walk in solitude at Grassi Bog and that he was happy to report seeing four other parties present, including a family taking a walk, a bird watcher, and a mushroom hunter. Rockwell said his father-in-law was a mushroom hunter.
The SLT has been trying to put signage at the end of trails with the assistance of a student volunteer at Old Rochester Regional High School, who would use an automated milling machine to create the signs out of wood. Harris said he expects the letters would be painted yellow and trails designated by number with several earmarked for MOSAC properties. Chace suggested a Quick Response (QR) code be placed on signage so visitors can make donations with their smartphones.
Under Open Space Maintenance, Harris reported that Grassi Bog had been mowed and shows “a lot of turtle nests this year.” Rockwell suggested that the sanded area be tilled in late April or early May. Harris observed a northern red-bellied cooter turtle crossing Route 6. In 2019, Chace saw a bobcat crossing Route 6. Tracks had also been seen by Mary’s Pond.
The next step for MOSAC in its acquisition of the Hoff Property and connected parcels is to get a conservation restriction drawn up and approved by state authorities. Harris cannot participate in that process due to a conflict of interest.
Speaking of increasing protected areas of open space in Marion, Rockwell commented, “Obviously, we can’t buy all the open space we’d like because there’s not enough money.” Harris said that Sippican Lands Trust has a very good donor, but that it takes a long time to get all that money together.
The Hoff Property deal put the land and its maintenance in the hands of the SLT. “I think it’s great for all the taxpayers,” said Rockwell.
“Definitely the work of many, and it was great to see,” said Chace.
“If you have a good team, you can conquer the world,” said Rockwell. “This project, we had a good team.”
MOSAC members all credited Dot Brown of the SLT for her assistance, while Rockwell singled out neighbors Steve Clark and his wife Tina Welch, and Randy and Merle Parker. Trail and property access improved as a result.
The next meeting of the Open Space Acquisition Commission has not yet been scheduled.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission
By Mick Colageo