12/14/2023 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT COMMITTEE Minutes (2)

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4 Community Preservation Committee Minutes December 14, 2023 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Review of Project Applications to be,considered forwvthe MaR6 2a24mSpecial Town Meeting; Davidw � _..........._e w, .. w _ w....�.._. . ......._._.tal Over Committee; Project: UR ate,of 01 n Space& Weeder,Chair of Environmental Recreation Plan: The Community Preservation Committee met with David Weeden, Chair of the Environmental Oversight Committee and Alex Zollo EOC member to review the CPC project; Update of Open Space &Recreation Plan proposed for the May 2024 Special Town Meeting. It was disclosed the project as identified would fall under the Conservation Department with Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent as the lead and point of contact. The Environmental Oversight Committee is the supporting committee for the creation of this plan. The project would allocate funds to update the 2009 Open Space&Recreation Plan which is typically renewed every five years. As of 2016,the Plan is no longer accepted by the state. Open Space &Recreation Plans are a tool for a community to plan its future conservation and recreation resources. A new and approved plan would enable eligibility for the Town to receive and leverage grant funding for up to seven years. Due to the lapse in time,the Town has not been eligible to receive funding from state sources for open space and recreational initiatives. The plan is essential for the success of conservation and recreation efforts. Approval of the plan would also support and continue the efforts of the Planning Department and all applicable and approved Town plans. A letter of support has been received from the Conservation Commission. Additional letters of support are anticipated. To alleviate the burden on staff, a professional consultant would supplement the work required for the plan. It is the intent to have broad community input to evaluate the interest and to identify concerns. The proposed budget is $100,000 for consultant services. It is envisioned the scope of the Open Space &Recreation Plan would be determined by a formal Open Space and Recreation Committee leveraging through volunteers and subcommittees. With support of the CPC and Town Meeting in May the project is anticipated to take one year once a consultant is contracted. Discussion followed with regards to the funding request, and the benefits of formulating this plan. Properties are thus identified for acquisition, and state and federal monies can be leveraged and used for land acquisitions, management, restoration,and trails, etc.