Unless
noted, the Open Space Preservation Committee is responsible for carrying out
each action item.
A.
Acquire
development rights or ownership of additional land for open space preservation,
active and passive recreation.
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Acquire one parcel per year. |
Annually starting 2004 |
|
2.
Develop a prioritized list of properties to consider for
purchase for open space preservation and/or recreation. |
April
2003 Review
annually |
|
3.
Begin dialogue with landowners regarding the future of
large parcels or priority parcels with high ecological or recreation value. |
May 2003 Review
annually |
|
4.
Discuss the future of the remaining agricultural land in
Westborough with the property owners. |
Starting
2003 |
B.
Establish ongoing funding for the proactive purchase of open space.
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Explore the costs and benefits of the Community
Preservation Act and develop a proposal for the Town. |
June 2003-2004 |
|
2.
Investigate the potential to allocate hotel tax revenues
to the purchase of open space. |
June 2003 |
|
3.
Apply for funding from state, federal, and private grant
agencies. |
Annually |
C. Increase the level of
protection of open space.
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Adopt a set of wetlands bylaws to strengthen the state
wetlands protection laws. (Conservation Commission) 2.
Initiate discussion 3.
Bring to a vote at Town Meeting |
April 2003 2003 or 2004 |
|
4.
Consider zoning changes to better protect ecologically
important habitat (Open Space Preservation Committee, Planning Board) |
2004 |
|
5.
Transfer appropriate properties to the care and custody of
the Conservation Commission. To be carried
out by the Open Space Preservation Committee, Conservation Committee, and
Board of Selectmen. Successful
transfer is achieved by a vote at town meeting. A.
Transfer the Andrews/Nourse property to Conservation B.
Transfer Hoccomonco Pond when released by EPA C.
Transfer Libbey property to Conservation D.
Explore the transfer of Pazo Property to Conservation |
March 2003 2004 2005 2004 |
|
6.
Encourage non-profit land trusts, such as WCLT and SVT, to
place conservation restrictions on their properties. |
2004 |
D. Develop management plans
for town-owned open space land. To be
carried out by Open Space Preservation Committee, Conservation Commission,
Recreation Commission, Board of Selectmen, DPW, WCLT, and other interested parties.
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Management plan for Andrews/Nourse |
May 2003 |
|
2.
Management plan for Sandra Pond/Bowman Conservation Area ·
Watershed management plan ·
Forest cutting plan |
Initiated 2003 Initiated 2003 |
|
3.
Develop management plans for newly acquired properties |
As needed |
E. Increase
recreation opportunities in Westborough
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Provide a centralized town park. (Open Space Preservation
Committee and Recreation Commission) ·
Identify viable locations ·
Begin dialogue with landowners ·
Acquire land ·
Design and construct park |
2003 2003 2004 2005 |
|
2.
Develop a plan to make more efficient use of recreation
facilities. (Recreation Commission) |
2003 Review annually |
|
3.
Create partnerships with local industries to provide
recreation fields along the model of the “Sam’s Club (Target) Ball Fields.” ·
Identify large industrial landowners along Route 9, Otis
St., Flanders Rd., Computer Drive. ·
Begin discussions with landowners. |
2003 2003-2004 |
|
4.
Provide additional playing fields and courts (basketball,
tennis, etc.). (Recreation Commission) |
|
|
5.
Provide opportunities for active and passive recreational
activities that are currently either not provided or not adequately provided.
(Recreation Commission) |
Ongoing |
|
6.
Pursue the viability of a community center/pool/gym with
outdoor amenities. (Recreation Commission) |
2005 |
|
7.
Increase accessibility of facilities by complying with the
Americans with Disabilities Act. ·
Review ADA compliance (Appropriate Boards) ·
Take steps to increase level of compliance (Appropriate
Boards) |
Annually Annually |
F. Develop strong relationships
among town boards (particularly Open Space Preservation Committee, Recreation
Commission and Conservation Commission), state entities (Massachusetts Fish and
Wildlife, Westborough State Hospital, and the Metropolitan District
Commission), and non-profit organizations (Westborough Community Land Trust,
Sudbury Valley Trustees) which own land in Westborough to improve access to and
management of open space and recreation land.
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Convene annual meetings inviting all appropriate parties
(Board of Selectmen) |
Annually starting 2003 |
G. Raise public awareness of
open space, recreation, and natural resource needs.
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Include selected parts of the Open Space and Recreation
Plan as an appendix to the 2003 Westborough Master Plan. |
March 2003 |
|
2.
Publish sections of the Open Space and Recreation Plan in
local newspapers. |
2003 |
|
3.
Publish the Open Space and Recreation Plan on the town web
site. |
March 2003 |
|
4.
Make all citizens aware of the rate at which open space is
disappearing in the town, how little is left, and what can be done to
preserve open space. |
Ongoing |
|
5.
Publicize the need for additional active and passive
recreation resources. |
Ongoing |
|
6.
Conduct sustainable use analysis of drinking water supply
(Board of Selectmen) |
2004 |
H. Publicize the existing open
space, recreation, and natural resources in the town of Westborough and
maximize the sustainable use of these resources.
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Include selected parts of the Open Space and Recreation
Plan as an appendix to the 2003 Westborough Master Plan. |
March 2003 |
|
2.
Publish sections of the Open Space and Recreation Plan in
local newspapers. |
2003 |
|
3.
Publish the Open Space and Recreation Plan on the town web
site. |
March 2003 |
|
4.
Encourage the use of open space land as living
laboratories in the science classes of Westborough schools. |
|
|
5.
Promote use of the Westborough Charm Bracelet trail
network ·
Sponsor Charm Bracelet Walks with WCLT ·
Complete acquisition of trail easements from private
landowners ·
Complete the Charm Bracelet trail network ·
Hold a celebratory hike |
Bimonthly 2003 2005 Fall 2005 |
|
6.
Support the educational and recreation activities of local
non-profit organizations, such as the Westborough Community Land Trust and
Sudbury Valley Trustees. |
Ongoing |
|
7.
Make all citizens aware of where their drinking water
supply comes from and the importance of protecting the Sandra Pond watershed
and the aquifer recharge areas for present and future municipal wells
(especially near Cedar Swamp, Indian Meadows, and Andrews-Nourse). |
Ongoing |
|
8.
Promote year-round non-emergency water conservation
measures |
Ongoing |
Conduct annual reviews of
Open Space Plan Action Items
|
Action |
Schedule |
|
1.
Review action items |
Annually |
|
2.
Evaluate and publish success to town boards and town
residents |
Annually |
|
3.
Update and reprioritize action items |
Annually |