Conservation Commission Meeting: January 21, 2025

TOWN OF PRINCETON

BOARD/COMMITTEE PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES

DATE: January 21, 2025 TIME: 7:00 PM LOCATION: Town Hall Annex

Note: this public meeting and public hearing were conducted in person at the Annex, with a remote teleconferencing option available for public participation. Public participation details were posted with the agenda.

Members in attendance: Brian Keevan, Holly Palmgren, Jennifer Vuona

Members in attendance remotely: Bonnie Hirsh

Applicants and others in attendance: Gerry Pellegrini (Advisory Committee), Ed Sweeney, Bruce Weinstein, Mark Hazelton, Ron and Gail Ashey, Sharon McCollum, Ashton Hardison, Kenner King, Steve Kessler, Kevin ____(illegible), Dylan O’Neil

Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Beth Toohey, Martin Sterman, Kevin Toohey

Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.

Holly Palmgren called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. She announced the meeting was being recorded.

Item 1: 7:04 P.M. Boylston Park Bike Park – resident comments.

Holly described the previous RDA and the Commission’s Determination issued at the November meeting. The PCC was copied on a number of letters to the Select Board from residents concerning the proposed park. Holly read from the Forest Management Plan. Holly opened up the floor for resident questions. Residents asked about work within buffer zones and about the regulatory authority of the PCC. There was general consent that direct abutters and others in the neighborhood were in opposition to the construction of this bike park, with much of the concern about increased traffic from widespread awareness of the park and changes to the nature of the neighborhood. There was also some concern that neighbors were not notified of the plans for this bike park. Martin Sterman said that he did send letters to the abutters. Discussion ended about 8:20 p.m., at which time Bonnie left the online room.

Took a brief recess, meeting resumed at 8:29.

Item 2: 8:29 P.M. Budget .

We have $970 in the budget, split between two accounts, which is level funded from 2024. The PCC is not requesting any additional funding requests from the Town.

Item 3: 8:34 P.M. Policies and procedures discussion.

Members discussed regulatory procedures.

Item 4: 9:01 P.M. Approval of minutes from December 2024.

Voted to accept minutes with minor revisions at 9:10 p.m.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Building Permit subcommittee update
• Forest Cutting plans: One received for Nimrod Sportsman’s Club on Coalkiln Road
• Commission business; correspondence; mail; procedures; etc.

The next meeting of the PCC is scheduled for February 18, 2025.

Commissioners voted to adjourn at 9:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Brian Keevan