Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee Meeting

The Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee met on June 25, 2025. The chair reported on upcoming Community Preservation Committee (CPC) planning: CPC will develop its funding priorities and will invite OSNRTC to present on Open Space and Recreation needs at the CPC’s August meeting; the committee agreed to devote its July meeting to preparing that presentation. Members discussed that the CPC fund will exceed $1M by 2026 and that Open Space and Recreation projects will be allocated at least 10% of available funds.

Under referrals, the committee updated and voted to send a positive recommendation to City Council supporting the purchase of 128 Kimball Road (City Council Bill 2025-072); the motion passed unanimously. Other discussion items included revisiting the mowing schedule on the South hill at Woodsom Farm to support grassland bird breeding (next steps: outreach to the City and a possible public hearing) and a proposed Amesbury Eco Gardeners pilot to survey and remediate invasive plants near the Woodsom Farm parking area (members noted the project’s potential community benefits but questioned its current scope). Committee members also continued planning discussion for an Amesbury Open Space Forum to improve coordination among local groups, with no concrete next steps determined at this meeting. No public comments were offered at the meeting.