Parks June 7 — File 189735

June 7, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 6/8/2010 REPORT OF THE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE SPECIAL COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Rebekah L. Gewirtz Chair Present Maryann M. Heuston Vice Chair Present Sean T. O’Donovan Ward Five Alderman Present David Lutes Environmental Programs Manager Present Stan Koty Commissioner of Public Works Present David Shapiro Assistant City Solicitor Present Arn Franzen Director of Parks and Open Spaces Present Carlene Campbell Director of Community Relations Present Interested Members of the Public Present OFF LEASH RECREATION AREAS IN WEST SOMERVILLE: The committee discussed CDBG funding requirements and the Somerville Conservation Commission’s concerns about having a dog park next to the river. Mr. Franzen stated that he would have to check with the regional HUD representative to determine if this project is CDBG eligible and went on to discuss the need to fit the project into the budget and set a park schedule. Chairman Gewirtz sensed trepidation from OSPCD and said that she wants to see continued commitment to the project, stressing the fact that the Board of Aldermen has a say in what park projects get approved and she feels that the OSPCD should take that into consideration. Alderman Heuston’s motion that the Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development submit the letter to be sent to HUD regarding the CDBG eligibility of the proposed West Somerville dog park, to the Committee on Parks and Open Space for review before it is sent and before the next meeting of the committee, was approved. While on the subject of dog parks, the committee heard from a resident who stated that dogs frequenting the dog park at Nunziato Field are contracting giardia, an internal parasite that is common in areas where there is a large population of dogs. There was some discussion about the use of alternative surfaces at the park, e.g., canine turf, which can be very expensive, and possibly installing a dog shower at the new dog park to wash off the dogs.

Committee Meeting June 7, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 6/8/2010 189444 - That the City Solicitor Summarize What is in the Zoning Code and Code of Ordinances that Limits, Controls or Restricts Paved Surfaces on Private Property in the City and Report the Findings to the Committee on Parks and Open Space.: The committee discussed the minimum landscape requirement in the current zoning by-laws and how it could be used to prevent asphalt from being used. Alderman Heuston suggested that research be done to determine how other cities and towns deal with this issue and said that she does not like gardens being turned into parking lots, she does not want owners of 2 and 3 family homes paving their yards and she wants to control large residential developments from paving parking surfaces. Chairman Gewirtz would like the zoning code to be more specific as to the definition of landscaped areas and she does not want to stop making policy because OSPCD has a vision and plan. 189608 - That the Environmental Programs Manager Provide This Board with an Update on the Initiation of a Voluntary Composting Program.: Mr. Lutes told the members that the DPW yard is too crowded to accommodate a composting program and he suggested drop off sites at the Farmers’ Markets. He has researched the compost station in Cambridge, noting that Cambridge collects 1 1/3 tons of compost per month, and he will continue to look at other possible sites. It was noted that composting could also give rise to issues with rodents. The GroundWorks program (using youths to pick up compost at homes for $4.00 per week) was discussed but Mr. Lutes stated that the program is limited due to regulatory requirements.