The McLean Land Management Committee was created in 1999 through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Town of Belmont and the McLean Hospital. The Committee is comprised of eight (8) members with half from the Town and half from McLean Hospital. The Committee met on 12 occasions during 2002. Ms. Ellen O'Brien Cushman was re-elected as Chair and Ms. Lauren Meier served as Vice Chair. The Committee said goodbye to member Ruth Foster and extends its thanks for her contributions. It welcomed new member Michael Flamang as the representative from the Conservation Commission.
The most important accomplishment of the Committee in 2002 was the successful drafting of multiple changes to the Conservation Restrictions. These documents are extremely important, as they will guide land-use activities, define responsibilities and generally guide decisions that involve the McLean open space. The Committee spent several months debating each change, drafting many revisions and incorporating desired language. The Trustees Of Reservations (TTOR) attended virtually every meeting and played an important role in this process. This was necessary as TTOR will be eventual “holder” of the Conservation Restrictions. Many of the changes were extremely complex and others, such as modifying the prohibition on bicycle use, were quite controversial. Town Counsel was requested to review and comment on the final changes. While
all discussions were open to the public, a formal public hearing in April attracted approximately 75 interested parties! The revised documents were brought to the May Town Meeting where they were adopted with little opposition. The McLean Hospital Board of Trustees voted to approve them at the same time. Final approval is being sought from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.
In July, the Committee submitted a grant application to the Department of Environmental Management through its Recreational Trails Grant Program. This request was for $8,822 and was made possible by a financial commitment from the Judith K. Record Memorial Fund. The Fund provided a cash match of $2,941 in support of the application! The proposal was to perform trail improvements in the open space within the Pine Allee’ and the adjacent trail to Mill Street. Successful recipients of funding are expected to be notified in the spring of 2003. The Committee is grateful to the Judith K. Record Memorial Fund and hopes this begins a long, cooperative relationship in managing the McLean open space.
The end of the year saw the Committee begin the arduous task of completing a comprehensive, Land Management Plan for the property. Using the Ecological Management Plan as a guide, members began by identifying specific attributes of the property that they wished to see maintained, preserved, enhanced and/or protected. The process is in its initial phase, but is expected to be publicly vetted and completed in 2003. The final plan will serve as a blueprint for the future Land Management Agent as well as for future Land Management Committee actions.
The Committee projects a very busy year in 2003 as the open space land is finally expected to be conveyed to the Town. Much work remains on the Land Management Plan for the property, finalizing the details of having The Trustees Of Reservation to be the holder of the Conservation Restrictions and moving to retain the services of a professional Management Agent to implement the policies of the Committee. The Committee will also participate in the Design & Site Plan Review of the new telecommunications tower.
The Committee has enjoyed an extremely interactive and cooperative relationship with members of the public in 2002 and looks forward to continuation of the same in 2003 and beyond. The Committee meets regularly and public participation is always welcome. Agendas are posted on the Town's website. Comments can also be directed to Timothy Higgins, Senior Planner from the Community Development Office or electronically at thiggins@town.belmont.ma.us.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen O'Brien Cushman, Chair
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