| |  Minutes of Melville Park Committe | Date: February 9, 2011 Attendance: T. Gray, G. Williams, D. Sly, E. Rizy, G. Kinnunen. L. Lesinski, J. Richard, P Kesson Excused Absence: J. Emerson Reports Minutes: From January meeting accepted motion by J. Richard, 2nd D. Sly Finance: Balance $13,144.62. No change from previous month. Correspondence: Dan Reilly, state representative, contacted DEM on J. Richard’s urging, to provide information on pond stocking schedule. DEM wishes a meeting with the Park Committee to make communication/coordination better. New Business Pond 8 Restoration Progress Report: Prof. Jameson Chace and student of Salve Regina have taken silt samples from the pond for analysis. Preliminary report due 1 March. Prof. Ran Gupta of Roger Williams and students have contacted RIDEM who assured them that removing the silt and fixing the top of the dam are ‘insignificant modifications’, reducing the application process and fees. Final reports from SRU and RWU are due circa 1 April, allowing us to file a request for preliminary assessment. Plans are to begin fixing this pond in the summer. Pond 9 Dam Clearance: E. Rizy discussed clearing the trail along Tank Farm 1 fence to the bottom of the dam. This would provide access for Public Works to begin clearing trees on the west side of the dam when weather conditions improve. Rizy also proposed extending the trail to the road that parallels the railroad tracks. This way, cut logs could be removed and sold at the campground for additional funds to the Town. Clearing on the east side of the dam can also be started soon, to open the area for fishermen. T. Gray mentioned that the resulting cut brush could pose a fire hazard. Several members mentioned that purchase of a wood chipper to be used on site can eliminate the hazard as well as suppress regrowing of the brush and filling in trail wet spots. ACTION ITEM: E. Rizy to get three quotes for a wood chipper that can be brought to the site and chip brush and branches up to three inches in diameter. Winter Walk Planning: Walk to be held Sunday, February 27 with an alternate date of March 6. G. Kinnunen prepared to spend out of Fund 58, Melville Recreation Trail Day for refreshments for the event. G. Kinnunen requested J. Emerson to provide a color flyer that G. will distribute. She will also collect legible names and addresses of attendees. Publicity will also entail notifying Portsmouth Patch for publicity and event coverage. ACTION ITEMS: G. Kinnunen to contact J.Emerson about updating poster. G. Kinnunen will contact Portsmouth Patch. E. Rizy will check with J. Garman, G. Williams and P. Higgins about their availability to provide tours. Annual Report and dissemination of monthly meeting minutes to the Town Council: E. Rizy put together annual report. Number of Winter Walks should be reduced to two so far. Report approved with above correction. Annual Report will be furnished to Town Clerk for forwarding to Town Council, with stand-up presentation provided if requested. Monthly minutes will be given to Town Clerk for inclusion in Council Meeting pre-reads. OLD Business Trail Status: T. Gray reported that several trees have come down on the Orange Trail. But it is still passable. 2010-11 Budget: J Richard presented an initial cut at a budget. Members are asked to review and comment for the next meeting. Adjourn at 8:10 PM. Next Meeting: March 9, 2011, 7 PM at Town Hall. |