Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission Vice Chairman Alan Harris reported on a meeting with a Natural Resources Conservation Service representative and learned that the parking situation at Grassi Bog “was not so cool” in the eyes of federal officials.
“It’s getting a little bit muddy with deep muddy ruts,” Harris told the March 4 meeting of the commission. “He said we should work on creating parking control.” Harris said MOSAC had installed some posts on the site to anchor the gates so the cars don’t go down the dikes. The NRCS representative told Harris he would follow up with more direction.
In going through photos taken a year ago, Harris discovered that there was a yellow-spotted turtle at Grassi Bog on March 12, 2020. He suggested some raking in the area to improve the turtle’s habitat. “March 12 is incredibly early for a turtle to be out wandering, but apparently it happens,” he said.
MOSAC members planned a raking expedition for March 6. “We don’t want the raccoons and possums to be watching this because they’ll eat those eggs right out,” said MOSAC Chairman John Rockwell.
Rockwell looked over a Small Communities competitive grant application that Harris brought to his attention and decided it’s worth pursuing. The idea of pursuing a grant application unearthed the need to update the commission’s criteria list established in 1994.
MOSAC would use its next meeting to figure out a strategy, then meet on May 6 with the end game of submission of the application on May 7 ahead of the application deadline that month.
“We need a project and a budget,” said Rockwell. “I think if we talk about it it’s a good chance of getting a grant because that process we went through was the basis of the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program getting a federal grant to initially hire Sarah Williams as an open space person…. We want to go through that process again.”
Open space plans were originally recreation plans, according to Rockwell.
Rockwell told MOSAC members that the commission had received the signed Hoff Property Conservation Restriction and sent it to the Buzzards Bay Coalition, which added a signature page and sent it to Katie Klein at KP Law, who was holding it in escrow at the time of the meeting. Rockwell said the proper paperwork to facilitate the deal is with the town accountant.
MOSAC still needs a settlement statement, the only hang-up being arrival at a closing date. “Very close, maybe (this) week,” said Rockwell.
Rockwell might be seen during this week’s warmer weather steaking out the next half-mile section of the Point Road (bike) Path planned between Joanna Drive and Jenna Drive. Rockwell said grubbing that area out will not require a wetlands permit.
The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission was not scheduled during the March 4 meeting.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission
By Mick Colageo