Back to Weir River Estuary Park Committee Meeting Minutes
WREP Meeting Minutes 1/6/10
Location: Hingham
Attendees:
Dick Avery, Faith Burbank, Judeth Van Hamm, Courtney Mullen, Jim Rodgers, Liz Fuller (Hull Times), Michelle Bolton (WRWA)
Scribe: Scott Plympton
Minutes from November and December 2009 were approved and accepted.
Accomplishments for 2009
• Eagle Scout project for the Hull Land Conservation Trust’s (HLCT) Chatham St. property. Kiosk, parking lot and trail improvements in Weir River Woods.
• Supported fund raising activities for HLCT. $110K raised to date.
• Participation and support for the West Corner tidal gate and culvert project underway.
• Supported activities and the grand opening of the Estuary Center
• Reprinted the Paddling Guide for the Weir River Estuary
Goals for 2010
• Support the completion of Hull’s Open Space Plan (OSP), a key prerequisite for acquiring grants and funding.
• Support land acquisition along the estuary. Projects include Chatham St. on Weir River Woods, Lofchie property at Straits Pond. Hingham’s Noonan, Boyle, and GW Blvd’s 21E sites.
• Making GW Blvd. safe for pedestrians to cross.
• Promote a ‘forum’ / workshop for communication and education for the estuary; signage, identify park/conservation area borders.
• Advance the use of the Estuary Center for education.
2010 Activities Matrix Updates
Land Protection
• Push for the completion of Hull’s Open Space Plan
• Hingham’s OSP has the WREP’s Land Protection Plan as a resource. This was advanced with volunteers and summer intern.
• Scott to meet with Hull’s town manager and council to build support for Chatham St. LAND grant and OSP
• Hingham’s Noonan St property is on the CPC funding recommendations from the Conservation Land Acquisition Committee 2010 and is currently going through the various Board approvals so that it can be included in the Town meeting’s warrant for a vote at the Town meeting in April.
• GWB’s 21 E site clean-up awaits final tests before the land can be released for transfer to Hingham. DCR / DEP are involved in the process
• West Corner culvert/tidal gate completed.
• Showboat property Hull/Hingham Rotary Club’s project for scenic rest stop is still active. Unable to remove fence until project starts.
• Footbridge over the Foundry Pond. $600k for dredging the pond needed vs. removal of dam. Removed from matrix as this is WRWA effort.
• Culverts on GW Blvd may require clean-up and WREP study could be used for OSP
Recreation in support of habitat
• HLCT monthly walks at Weir River Woods.
• Transportation Bill for GW Blvd (bike routes) is joint project with Hingham/Hull. Bob Fultz completes Project Needs Form to be submitted to Mass Hwy.
• Put Estuary Paddling Guide on town websites
• Land Fill Plan and Gosnold Access discussed with Hull Planning Board. We will watch this effort long term and not start until Land Fill closes.
Estuary Center for stewardship and education
• Most activities that WREP were monitoring have been completed.
• Solar panels and green roof remain outstanding.
Sustainable Transportation
• Judeth provides an update and vision on this effort.
• Research notes that zero emission trolleys are cost prohibitive ($300K purchase and $60/hour to run)
• Vision: JPods.com. A new transportation system (similar to gondolas) running from trains at Nantasket Junction to boats/beach access at Steamboat Wharf in Hull.
Next Meeting
o Feb 3rd at Weir River Estuary Center. 7:00PM