Committee Report - Parks - 9-27-10 — File 190232

September 27, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 10/7/2010 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 Absent Thomas F. Taylor Ward Three Alderman Present James Halloran Superintendent of Recreation Present Michael Lambert Director of Transportation Present George Proakis OSPCD Present Dave Shapiro Assistant City Solicitor Present Carlene Campbell Community Liason Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present 189040 - That the Director of SPCD Prepare a Cost Estimate for Creating a Dog Park at Dilboy Field and Report on Same at the Next Meeting of the Committee on Parks and Open Space.: Chairman Gewirtz made inquiries regarding a letter that was supposed to be forwarded to the Parks and Open Space Committee for review and then sent to HUD to determine whether an area for a dog run met eligibility criteria. Chiarman Gewirtz voiced her concern that the letter hadn't been produced yet and asked OSPCD to follow-up on the letter and to provide a copy of it to the committee, along with a timeline for the proposal. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 189736 - That the Director of SPCD Submit the HUD Letter Regarding CDBG Eligibility of the Proposed West Somerville Dog Park, to the Committee on Parks and Open Space for Review Before Sending the Letter.: See discussion of item #189040 (above). RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 10/25/2010 6:00 PM 189260 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (Parks and Open Space) and the Superintendent of Recreation Meet with the

Committee Meeting September 27, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 10/7/2010 Ward 2 Alderman Regarding the Uses and Regulations of the Various Fields and Playgrounds at Lincoln Park for Residents.: Mr. Halloran spoke about the lack of soccer fields in the city, pointing out that the city has just 4 (Dilboy, Conway, Capuano and Argenziano). Soccer is also played at Foss Park, however, that field is under DCR jurisdiction and conflicts often arise between soccer and baseball events at that park. Mr. Halloran said that residents are allowed to use the city’s fields by going through a permitting process and he distributed a copy of the city’s policy on the matter. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 189256 - That This Board of Aldermen, in Conjunction with the Administration, Form a Task Force Called the “Green Community and Open Space Initiative” with the Intent of Increasing Open and Green Space in the City, Reducing Storm Water Runoff, Providing Incentives for Residents and Business Owners to Make Improvements on Their Property that Would Benefit the Community and Reduce Our Community’s Impact on the Environment.: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 189121 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Make Recommendations to This Board Regarding Ways in Which the City Can Control and Reduce the Percentage of Paved Surfaces Since Somerville Leads the Region with 77% of Its Surfaces Being Paved.: Mr. Proakis spoke about the four key paving concerns: • wet basements and erosion, • impacts on the city's sewer system, • heat island effect and • impacts to the community. To address these concerns, the following recommendations are being proposed: • require a permit for paving more than 20 square feet of ground, • create a new definition in the city’s Zoning Ordinances for permeable surface, • holding landowners responsible for damaging or excessive runoff, • require that post development stormwater runoff be no worse than pre development runoff, • itemize the sewer bills to account for a stormwater utility fee.

Committee Meeting September 27, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 10/7/2010 The committee will schedule another meeting to discuss the issues of splitting the sewer bills, paved surfaces and private lots with the city’s Water Superintendent and Engineer. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 10/25/2010 6:00 PM 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 was presented with an overview of the City of Lowell’s Paving Contractor and Permit System. Under this plan, the responsible party, i.e., the contractor, is responsible for obtaining the necessary permit(s). The committee requested that a copy of Lowell’s ordinance be provided to the committee. Chairman Gewirtz’s motion that the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development provide the Committee on Parks and Open Space with the existing regulations governing runoff under the state standards, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 10/25/2010 6:00 PM 189255 - That This Board of Aldermen Hereby Requests that the Administration Launch a Voluntary Composting Program, Which Would Save the City Financially on Our Trash Contract and Provide a Public Service by Allowing Residents to Bring Their Composted Materials to the Department of Public Works.: Composting may begin next month at both the Davis and Union Square Farmers' Markets but may wait until the Winter Market starts the following month. Alderman Heuston said that composting will begin at the community garden and end at South Street. Alderman Heuston’s motion that the Clerk of Committees send communications to the City’s Environmental Programs Manager and to the Commissioner of Public Works regarding the composting initiative at South Street and request that they apprise the Committee on Parks and Open Space of its progress, was approved. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 189608 - That the Environmental Programs Manager Provide This Board with an Update on the Initiation of a Voluntary Composting Program.: The program may begin at the Farmers' Market in Davis and Union Squares in November or at the Winter Market in January. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE

Committee Meeting September 27, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 10/7/2010 188881 - Requesting Approval of Amendments to the 2008-2013 Open Space & Recreation Plan, to Extend the Effective Date of the Plan to 2015.: No discussion. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE • 188839, 188840, 188841, 188842, 188843, 188844, 188845 : Comments from residents regarding #188468, concerning an Off Leash Recreation Area for dogs in West Somerville These items were informational only for the committee, having been previously placed on file by the BOA.