Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee Meeting
Mass Audubon presented draft goals and objectives for the Woodsom Farm / Town Forest management plan focused on zoning, mowing for grassland-bird habitat, and public education; ARPA-funded consulting is committed for the Woodsom Farm plan and a follow-up Battis Farm land-management report is planned for July–December 2024.
The committee met to review conservation and stewardship work, with the primary focus on a draft Woodsom Farm–Town Forest Management Plan presented by Mass Audubon (Bill Giezentanner). The presentation framed goals and objectives aimed at protecting grassland-breeding bird habitat: zoning the property to define allowable activities, developing a sustainable mowing and land-management plan that balances public use and bird-breeding priorities, and creating a public education program about property values and management practices. Discussion addressed the need for updated bird-survey data (the last survey cited was from 2009), the potential for Mass Audubon or trained volunteers to conduct new surveys, and the reality of conflicting user groups (including off-leash dogs) that will require not only education but municipal leadership and enforcement to resolve.
Other substantive items included chair reports on funding and project scopes: a scope of work has been developed for a trails assessment to use remaining ARPA funds and the city has received a vendor quote; the chair is also working on a scope for a feasibility study for a fully accessible (ADA-compliant) all-user trail. The minutes record that ARPA funds are currently committed to Mass Audubon Extension Service for the Woodsom Farm plan, and that Mass Audubon is planned to produce an additional land-management report for Battis Farm–Powow Hill Conservation Area for July–December 2024. Committee communications noted a letter transmitted to American Farmland Trust recognizing certain parcels as farmland of local importance, and that the chair circulated established mowing recommendations for Woodsom and Battis Farms to the Mayor’s office and DPW. The Lake Gardner Improvement Association’s expanding stewardship activities were discussed and the committee plans to invite LGIA representatives to a future meeting; there was no public comment. Next steps identified: Mass Audubon will deliver a revised draft and a second public forum was suggested for late spring/early summer, with outreach and scheduling to be handled by the chair.