The Open Space Preservation Commission on Thursday discussed a homeowner’s request for the removal of two trees on OSPC land in order to install solar panels on private property.
Chair Ed Harrow explained that the homeowner lives at 58 Cedar Street Extension, just before the road reaches the Sudbury River. The land that abuts that property was donated to the OSPC as a condition of acceptance of the Turkey Ridge Estates subdivision plans. The eight-lot definitive subdivision, originally known as Deer Ridge Estates, is located at 52 Cedar Street Extension, near the Southborough border.
He added that the trees in question are a red maple and a white pine. They appear to be thin and relatively young.
“I have substantial difficulty with the town giving up trees for a private party to get solar panels on their roof,” said Harrow. “If we are going to allow for the cutting of trees on our property, there has to be a cost.”
He suggested the possibility of selling the homeowner a small strip of land abutting their house. Such a proposal would have to go before Town Meeting.
How the land came to be owned by the OSPC resurrected a previous tension. The OSPC had not been consulted when this land donation was proposed in 2023. It first was discussed at a Planning Board meeting. As a result of this jurisdictional issue, the OSPC voted in September 2023 to become the receiving body by default for land donations to the town.
Harrow referred to the lack of OSPC inclusion in open space land donation processes in 2024 as well as at this meeting as “silo management.”
“We were not, of course, asked if we wanted this land,” Harrow reminded the members. “It was just dropped on our lap.”
Member Steve Levandosky questioned whether a conservation restriction was required for the land. He also asked if the land was donated as part of an open space and landscape preservation development (OSLPD). He cited a 2023 Hopkinton Independent article in which David Goldman of the Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT) noted that if the Turkey Ridge Estates open space land is part of an OSLPD, a conservation restriction is required. In the same article, the OSPC expressed reluctance to accept the land donation because it appeared to be overgrown with invasive species.
Member Nancy Peters noted that there are “two conflicting benefits” related to the environment. One is the preservation of trees. The other is the use of solar panels to create a clean energy source.
Levandosky urged the members not to vote on the matter at this time to allow the OSPC to “do more homework.” They agreed that John Gelcich, the director of the Department of Land Use, Planning & Permitting, should be consulted to determine if the land is part of an OSLPD and subject to a conservation restriction.
Potential purchase of Wood Street parcel discussed
Harrow told the commission that Faith Community Church, located at 146 East Main Street, has indicated a willingness to sell a triangular-shaped parcel it owns at the corner of Wood Street and Winter Street to the OSPC. Members voted 3-0 to ask Town Manager Elaine Lazarus to conduct negotiations on the OSPC’s behalf to determine the cost.
The Open Space Preservation Commission has been able to virtually halt the growth of Japanese knotweed in the Whitehall conservation area through its annual maintenance program.
Whitehall invasive removal funds approved
The commission voted 3-0 to pay Parterre Gardening Services $892.60 to continue its annual invasive species removal plan for the meadow in the Whitehall Conservation Area. Harrow noted that the effort has been successful over the past few years. A 20-foot-by-30-foot area that once was densely covered with Japanese knotweed now is down to a couple of plants.
Seed packets to be purchased for Hopkinton Family Day distribution
The commission voted 3-0 to purchase native wildflower seed mix packets in an amount not to exceed $500. The seeds would be given out at Hopkinton Family Day on Sept. 13. This effort would mirror a recent decision by the Conservation Commission to distribute seed packets for native grasses.
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