The McLean Land Management Committee, created by the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Belmont and McLean Hospital, consists of nine members (Chairman Ellen O'Brien Cushman, Martha Moore, Carla Moynihan and Richard Pichette from Belmont, Michele Gougeon, Andy Healy, Frank Keefe and Steve Kidder from McLean Hospital and Wesley Ward from The Trustees of Reservations, holder of the Conservation Restrictions).
The work of the Committee is funded by the McLean Open Space Maintenance Fund created by the McLean transaction and by the revenue from the cell tower in the inactive cemetery land as well as by grants from conservation groups.
During 2007, the committee continued to enjoy a fruitful partnership with abutting neighbors, members of the New England Mountain Bike Association and the Judith K. Record Memorial Conservation Foundation and other members of the extended Belmont community.
Principle work conducted during 2007 continued to implement the overall goals and objectives of the committee as well as the outline of work highlighted in the ecological management plans developed by BSC and Audubon Extension Service. These fall into two categories:
1. Trails - assess and map existing trails, make recommendations for changes, closing, opening, rerouting trails consistent with the conservation values and public access goals of the committee. The Committee contracted with Pressley Associates, a landscape design firm, to perform this work for a total of $26,050, all of which will be paid by a grant from the Judith K. Record Memorial Conservation Fund. 2008 trails work will involve the prioritization of activities and implementation of the plans.
2. Meadows - using the report prepared by Audubon, continue to restore the meadows on the property by mowing to control the invasives such as buckthorn and selectively use herbicide to control the poison ivy in the Pine Allee and the knotweed and black swallow wort as well as replanting edges in the Great Meadow. The Committee contracted with Polatin Ecological Service for a total of $9,200 to perform this work, which will conclude in 2008, though yearly mowing and some additional treatments will be required.
The Committee encourages all members of the Belmont community to enjoy the McLean Open Space during 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen O'Brien Cushman, Chairman
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