ANNUAL REPORT 1996
NORWELL CONSERVATION COMMISSION
1996 was an extremely exciting and active year for the Norwell Conservation Commission. Most importantly, the voters of the Town of Norwell have overwhelming endorsed the Commission’s efforts to preserve open space.
On April 22, 1996, the Commission unanimously won the support of Town Meeting to negotiate for the purchase of the estate of the late Doris E. Donovan. The Donovan estate consists of 174 acres of prime development property bordering Pleasant, Circuit and Forest Streets. Located in the geographic center of Town, the Donovan land has long been earmarked for open space preservation.
The success of the Annual Town Meeting vote led the Commission to several intense months of negotiation. Chairman Herbert Heidt, member W. Clifford Prentiss, and Conservation Agent, Judith Salter, with full support of the Conservation Commission and Board of Selectmen, represented the Town through the negotiation process. The negotiating team was able to successfully win the bid for the property. On September 11, 1996, the Selectmen signed a purchase and sales agreement on behalf of the Town to purchase the property within 90 days.
Through the heroic efforts of Conservation members Herb Heidt, Cliff Prentiss, Agent,
Judy Salter; Selectman, Becky Freed; Planning Board Aide, Mary Coyle; and the collective efforts of various Town board members and citizens alike, the Commission was able to achieve their goal of convincing the Town of the expediency and necessity of preserving this important piece of property.
Never before had Town Meeting drawn so many voters. December 9, 1996, will go down in history as the largest Town Meeting held to date in Norwell. The secret ballot vote rendered a 2 to 1 victory in favor of purchase. On December 14, 1996, the Commission gained their final and most important success. The Town of Norwell, through special election, went to the ballot booth and again voted 2 to 1 in favor of overriding Proposition 2 1/2 to bond the funding that would purchase the property.
Part of the Special Town Meeting vote has designated the hayfields of the
Doris E. Donovan estate to be placed under the stewardship of the Commission. The Conservation Commission will maintain these fields in agriculture, thus retaining a part of our Town’s past for future generations. The Commission submitted a grant application to the State to receive reimbursement under the State Self Help Program for these parcels. If the grant is awarded, the Town will receive reimbursement for a portion of the purchase price.
Town Meeting also voted to sell the houses located on the estate with surrounding acreage. The Town will plan for the use of the remaining acreage under the direction of the Norwell Planning Board.
The Town of Norwell has been lauded throughout the Commonwealth for its conservation efforts and foresight of planning for the future. The Norwell Conservation Commission is extremely proud to represent the Town and will continue to work towards the protection of our natural resources through balanced, managed growth.
Another highlight of the year was the acquisition of 4 acres of open space off of Summer Street. The beautiful, wooded four acre parcel was given to the Town by Roger Apts of Norwell. This generous gift gives the Town direct access to conservation land between Mount Blue Street and Summer Street.
Eagle Scout candidate, Craig Volpe of Norwell completed his project at Jacobs Pond. He built a cat walk that accesses a small piece of upland at the pond that is used for nature study. The Commission commends Craig on his outstanding contribution to the community.
Under the direction, of Vice Chairman, Christine Werme and Agent, Judy Salter, the “Friends of Jacobs Pond” (a sub-committee of the open space committee), submitted an Article to Town Meeting requesting funding for the clean up of weeds at Jacobs Pond. Although not successful in their bid for funding, the “Friends of Jacobs Pond,” continue their efforts to focus attention on this valuable Town asset.
The Conservation Commission established a maintenance program for Town conservation parcels. Stetson Meadows was the focus of the first maintenance project. The picnic bench overlooking the North River was replaced and fallen trees were cleared from trails. The Commission continues to work with the Recreation Commission on trying to re-locate the 20 acres of recreation land at Stetson Meadows that was designated as Town recreation land.
The Commission conducted86 public hearingsin 1996 under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Town of Norwell Wetlands Bylaw.
Respectfully submitted, Herbert C. Heidt, Chairman
Christine Werme, Vice Chairman
Burton B. Bryan
Gregg McBride
Kathryn Mudgett
W. Clifford Prentiss
A. Gail Storm
Judith Salter, Agent/Administrative Aide