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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - 041326 April 13, 2026 Planning & Development Department 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 – Phone: 508-862-4678 Open Space Committee Minutes April 13, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS Chair Malakhoff calls the meeting to order at 5:32 PM with an introduction of members: Also present is Kyle Pedicini, Assistant Director, Planning & Development; Alice Marcus-Krieg, Open Space Planner & Grants Coordinator; Barry Sheingold, Town Council Liaison; Kris Clark, Town Councilor; and Genna Ziino, Administrative Assistant. NOTICE OF RECORDING This meeting of the Open Space Committee is being recorded and broadcast on the Town of Barnstable’s Government Access Channel. In accordance with MGL Chapter 30A §20, I must inquire whether anyone else is recording this meeting and, if so, to please make their presence known. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • February 9, 2026 – Farley Lewis moves to approve. Tracy Pratt seconds. Vote: Aye: Lev Malakhoff, Farley Lewis, Liz Lewis, Doug Payson, Elissa Crowley, Anne Rowland, Tracy Pratt, Cate Gulliver, Dave Gorr ill Nay: None TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION New Business • Vernal Pool Certifications – The guest speaker is not in attendance, so Dave Gorrill explains instead. Vernal pools fill up with rainwater and snowfall and usually dry out during the year on Cape Cod. They are unique because they have no predator species in them. Spotted salamanders, wood frogs, and brine shrimp need that habitat, and some are listed. He went looking for vernal pools and hasn’t been finding egg masses like he is used to. There is a way to certify a vernal pool through the state’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, which would protect them. The Mass GIS data viewer produced an overlay showing up to 29,000 sites within the state that could be vernal pool sites. You can see approximate locations where you could go out and look for eggs and begin the certification process. Councilor Clark says maybe at the next meeting the guest speaker could attend, Pete Sampou. • Walking Weekend – Doug Payson has walks to add for Saturday (Trayser Trail at 9 AM) and Sunday (Meetinghouse Farm at 2 PM). Doug Payson says he met with Kelly Collopy and Chris Gad from DPW to plan the ribbon-cutting walk, which will be at 10 AM with some kind of event at Kalmus at 11:30. 1.8 mile walk. They might have tables set up for different things like recreation or water quality. He wants to coordinate with HyArts, BID, and the Chamber of Commerce. Doug Payson is working on the media plan update to start spreading the word. They will also be doing a promotional video, which any member can join. Liz Lewis will ask if someone from the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition could be there at 10:45. Kyle Pedicini says DPW requested not to have it advertised as a “ribbon cutting,” because that is not typically done. Doug Payson Member Present Absent Lev Malakhoff – Chair X Farley Lewis – Vice Chair X Elizabeth Lewis X Douglas Payson X Elissa Crowley X Anne Rowland X Tracy Pratt X Cate Gulliver X Dave Gorrill X would still like someone to speak, maybe Councilor Clark. He would like to extend an invitation to all town councilors. The group discusses bringing brochures to libraries. Kyle Pedicini recommends inviting the Hyannis Civic Association, because they were part of the project. Old Business • Update – Open Space and Recreation Plan: Kyle Pedicini says it was approved by Town Council, so they are now sending it to the state for review. This includes the map change to Hyannis downtown zoning—there is a 30-day appeal period, so they need to wait for that to expire. Councilor Clark recommends going through the action items from the OSRP to see what is next. Doug Payson discusses the goal for a new park in Hyannis and asks about looking at enhancing where the picnic tables are there. Councilor Sheingold says he met with the Greater Hyannis Civic Association and there was a desire to have more public space in Hyannis—he will give Doug Payson their info to work together. It could be an opportunity for a subgroup of this committee and the Hyannis Civic Association. • Potential property acquisitions: None • Update – Outstanding Conservation Restrictions: None • Update – Pathways update including walking library, Trailhead Signs, and Geocaching: Chair Malakhoff says he and Farley Lewis met with AmeriCorps manager Brendan. The Chairman is putting together a list of trails that have problems, to suggest they get scheduled for cleanup. He mentioned the cow tunnel at the Marstons Mills airport has invasive growth. Farley Lewis says she has gotten red, yellow, and blue paint to freshen up the blazes. Chair Malakhoff says he and Alice Marcus-Krieg had a site visit at Dunn’s Pond near the senior center and high school. There is the potential for a trail around the pond, and a potential property acquisition that could help move people away from the low land to the east of the pond. Doug Payson says an info session on the redesign of Lincoln Road is happening, if people want to attend to discuss multi- use path or something to connect to the one on 28. Alice Marcus-Krieg shares images of the trailhead signs and a list of where they will be installed (document entitled “Trails - Hiking signs v3 25 total of 30 purchased 4.14.2026”). This completes a goal on the OSRP. Regarding the Walking Library, Chair Malakhoff walks through his suggested changes (document entitled “WalkingLibrary- 2026proposed-update”). They could suggest blazing to confirm the route if in the long run they like the route. They could create a map to have it available on phones. • Report from Tracy Pratt regarding Santuit Preserve – Somebody has been in clearing and cutting. All major trails are accessible and the herring are back. • Report from Farley Lewis regarding Community Preservation Committee Open Space applications – From March 16, Recreational money is being asked for. The Mill Pond CR application was approved by Town Council but is incomplete for some reason, so is not finished. Harju and Prince Ave properties were approved. The CR on 230 Old Colony Road has been completely subsequent to Planning Board and Town Council approval, and will be granted to Barnstable Land Trust. Amaral property is still in the process. • Report from Town Council Liaison Kris Clark: Chair Malakhoff says the new liaison is Barry Sheingold. Councilor Clark says they’ve been busy with capital budget more recently, so no update on TC actions. MATTERS NOT REASONABLY ANTICIPATED BY THE CHAIR PUBLIC COMMENT ADJOURNMENT Tracy Pratt moves to adjourn. Dave Gorrill seconds. Vote: Aye: Lev Malakhoff, Farley Lewis, Liz Lewis, Doug Payson, Elissa Crowley, Anne Rowland, Tracy Pratt, Cate Gulliver, Dave Gorr ill Nay: None Respectfully submitted, Genna Ziino, Administrative Assistant Further detail may be obtained by viewing the video via Barnstable Government Access Channel on demand at www.town.barnstable.ma.us DOCUMENTS USED AT THIS MEETING • February 9, 2026 minutes • Document entitled “Trails - Hiking signs v3 25 total of 30 purchased 4.14.2026” • Document entitled “WalkingLibrary-2026proposed-update”