Real Estate and Open Space Committee Meeting

Meeting date: 
Friday, July 15, 2016

Harwich Real Estate and Open Space (REOS) Committee

Town Hall

July 15, 2016

Members Present: Kathy Green (chair), Bob Thomas, John Preston, David Callaghan,

Elaine Shovlin and. Marcia Thorngate–Smith

Guests: Amy Usowski

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of May 20, 2016 meeting were approved.

Town Owned Properties

At our April 15, 2016 meeting, we agreed to write a letter supporting the Conservation Commission’s recommendation to transfer a number of properties to the care and custody of the Conservation Commission.  The town owned forest includes the shooting range which would not be included in this transfer.  Discussion ensued regarding the land that abuts the water dept on Bay Rd.  We will try to get a

representative from the water dept to our next meeting.  The town administrator Chris Clark would like to come to our next meeting to discuss and clarify our letter of support.

A ceremony opening the Hall Property trail will be held on July 22.

Kathy distributed letters to BOS regarding our recommendation for disposal of 4 Central Avenue and to not pursue acquisition of the Judah Eldredge property.  They were discussed and approved.  Kathy agreed to prepare a letter to BOS recommending use of 0 Depot Street for affordable housing once Amy Usowski has reviewed the wetland.

Marini Property

A second appraisal required for a Land Grant application was done and an application for a Land Grant has been submitted.  Negotiations for the purchase are still being conducted by HCT.

Owners Unknown

We discussed the property located down JZ Road apparently belonging to Clif Deluze that is currently being mined.  Recently several abutters have raised concerns.  Amy reported that taxes are not being paid and mining is very active.  There is a regulation that mining cannot be within 100 feet of any wetland.  She is looking into whether they have a legal permit from the state or town.  In addition, it is located in the Six Pond District which requires other permits.

We agreed that we need to single out which properties we want to pursue before requesting any use of the $50,000 which has been transferred to CPC for researching Owners Unknown properties.

Amy reported that are questions regarding ownership of 9 Cranberry Trail located on the Brewster border.  Jeff Elderedge has been clearing land for a paddock on land that he may not own and on which he is not paying taxes.  It is on Map 78 J1-1 and J3.  It is also located close to a wetland.  If it is a farming operation, it may be exempt from some regulations.

Downey Property

The town has applied for a coastal zone management grant for $187,500 from the state.  It would become part of the $250,000 approved to hire an architect to develop plans for the property.  The goal is to have a plan for presentation at the 2017 town meeting.

Next Meeting: August 19, 2016 at 8:30amRespectfully submitted:

Respectfully submitted

John Preston, REOS Clerk