Friends of the Blue Hills news and comments

Beetle Release

2009-07-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, Neponset River Watershed Association volunteers transported pots of purple loosestrife plants to the Blue Hills Reservation. Why did volunteers grow invasive plants from root balls, spending months making sure their charge was protected from wind, enjoyed full sun and sat happily in a kiddy pool full of water?

These volunteer ‘beetle ranchers’ grew the invasive plants, carefully contained under nets, as part of NepRWA’s biocontrol program to control purple loosestrife in Fowl Meadow and Brookwood Farm. As part of the program, volunteers received about 70 Galerucella beetle species, which fed on the potted purple loosestrife. These original adults died after 40 days, but not before laying eggs – about 300 eggs per female.

Last weekend, volunteers brought the pots containing larvae to the control sites. According to the literature, each pot that originally contained 10 beetles, will produce about 1,000 to 2,000 beetles. But as far as we know, no one was made to count them!)

For more information on the project, click here. Above, volunteers carry netted plants at Brookwood Farm and volunteer beetle rancher, Patrick Tranford, takes a minute to rest after dropping off his beetles.

Public Meeting: Fowl Meadow, South

2009-07-14T20:31:00.005-04:00

DCR is holding a public meeting on the clean-up Fowl Meadow, South. Formerly the site of the Canton Airport, this portion of the Blue Hills is currently contaminated with PCBs and metals. See below for details on the public hearing.

Department of Conservation and Recreation
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

PUBLIC MEETING
Remediation and Reuse of the
Canton Airport Site

Monday, July 27, 2009
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Trailside Museum
1904 Canton Avenue, Milton

At the meeting, DCR will provide an overview of, and solicit
public input on, the potential options for the future use of this
site as parkland once remediation activities are complete.

If you have questions about the public meeting, please contact
DCR.Updates@state.ma.us or 617-626-4974.

Productive Trail Volunteers

2009-07-14T09:00:00.003-04:00

FBH Trail Maintenance volunteers were busy last weekend. Twelve volunteers built two grade reversal drainage structures on the Wildcat Notch Path, de-bermed two sections of that trail, and brushed a section of the Accord Path.

2009-07-13T12:52:00.007-04:00

The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has approved DCR's Rare and Endangered Species Habitat Management plan for Fowl Meadow. Fowl Meadow, with its diverse wetland ecosystems and rare species habitat, is designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and as 'Priority Habitat.' Because of its significant ecologic value, DCR needed an approved plan before it could conduct any sort of trail or habitat management activities.

FBH will be working with DCR to implement one aspect of the plan: mapping invasive species, such as phragmites australis. (See photo.) Phragmites and and other invasive plants threaten native wetland species found in Fowl Meadow and other wetland habitats in the Blue Hills.

To improve efforts to control these invasives, beginning this fall, we will train volunteers to identify invasive species and record their location using GPS units. If you’re interested in learning about invasive species and would like to help us launch our invasive mapping program, please let us know: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org.

July Volunteer Opportunities

2009-07-03T20:24:00.002-04:00

Trail Maintenance Event
Saturday, July 11, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Help maintain the trails! Wear sturdy boots, long pants and work gloves and bring at least one quart of water. You may also want to consider bringing sunscreen and bug spray. Meet: Houghton's Pond main parking lot on Hillside Street in Milton. RSVP: trailwork@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org.

Volunteer to Help FBH and Cheer on the Runners!
Sunday, July 12, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Want to spend the morning enjoying the Blue Hills and helping FBH at the same time? We're looking for volunteers for this year's Skyline Race to help hand water to thirsty runners. The race takes place July 12, 8:00 am. If you're interested, please contact Jeff Saeger, Race Director: runwld2@juno.com.

Invasive Species Removal (Pulling weeds!)
DCR is looking for volunteers to remove the invasive species, swollow wort. Times and dates are flexible. Contact DCR Assistant Forester, Ale Echandi for details: alexandra.echandi@state.ma.us.

Cell Tower Hearing 7/13

2009-07-02T21:52:00.002-04:00

To evaluate how a proposed cell tower near Houghton's Pond would look from the Reservation, FBH members met last Saturday to take photos of a 140-foot crane. The 'crane test' was meant to simulate how the proposed tower would affect the view from the Reservation and surrounding neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the crane was scheduled to be up for three hours, but was raised for less than an hour. So while volunteers did not have enough time to take photos from all locations that might be affected, a number of the volunteer photographers confirmed that the tower will be clearly visible from a number of locations within the Reservation.

As the below article indicates, the next Milton Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on the project will be July 13, 7:30 p.m. at Milton Town Hall, 525 Canton Ave, Milton.

To read the below Milton Times article online, click here.

Cell Tower Hearing Set for July 13

By Scott MacKeen, Milton Times

Green Mountain Communications, a telecommunications provider located in New Hampshire, is proposing building the tower, which would stand at 140 feet on land it has leased from MassHighway. The parcel is located next to the southbound Route 93 onramp near Blue Hill River Road and Blue Hill Street, according to documents the company prepared for the town back in April. Since that initial proposal, the Board of Appeals has walked the site and observed crane tests. The board held an initial public hearing in June to gauge neighborhood opinion about the construction.

According to Joseph Sloane, a representative for Friends of the Blue Hills who attended the first hearing, neighbors who listened to the proposal weren’t convinced that the tower would fit within the area.“I think we needed a more complete perspective of what the thing is going to look like. The proponent really dropped the ball on that,” said Sloane. “The major concern was that Milton has a specific chapter in the bylaws for telecommunications towers, and that bylaw is heavily weighted in favor of looking at the visual impact of a construction.”

The town’s zoning bylaw on telecommunications structures suggests “the use of wireless communications facilities which employ the least visually intrusive technology available in the industry,” and discourages “the construction or location of free-standing towers.” The bylaw also encourages “eliminating or minimizing the adverse visual and aesthetic impact” of such a tower. The hearing will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, located at 525 Canton Ave. For more information, contact the Board of Appeals at (617) 898-4932.“It’s really an opportunity to get more information. We encourage anyone interested to attend,” said Sloane.

Ponk Golf Course Repairs

2009-07-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

DCR has funding for design and permitting of repairs and modifications to the Ponkapoag Golf Course which will fill in and raise a number of fairways that are currently underwater for extended portions of each year. The course holes that are the focus of the project are part of the original historic design by Donald Ross and serve as a conduit to nine other holes that are located upland. The project will also include design and permitting to improve drainage throughout the golf course. The Canton Conservation Commission has approved the project. Some individuals have indicated that they will appeal the Con Com’s decision.

Here’s a description of the project from the DCR’s Request for proposal:

The overall Project will include the phased repairing, upgrading, replacing or providing drainage for approximately 20 of the 36 golf holes on both Ponkapoag golf courses but focusing firstly on Course #1. The work includes the survey, analysis, evaluation, design, plans, preparing specifications, completion of the SFEIR for the golf course related work, permitting of the cleaning, repair or replacement of existing drainage, ditches and culverts as well as provision of all necessary drainage facilities. The drainage analysis must ensure that on- and off-site wetlands are not impacted by changes in stormwater runoff patterns. Drainage maintenance activities include the removal of accumulated silts and organic debris from existing drainage channels and culverts. Drainage may consist of, but is not limited to, raising or filling portions of fairways subject to flooding and installation of underdrains and other drainage facilities.

$1 Million for Houghton's Pond

2009-06-30T09:00:00.002-04:00

Houghton's Pond recreational ball fields will be getting a much-needed makeover. According to the June 18th edition of the Milton Times, the Patrick administration has agreed to release $1 million to restore Houghton’s Pond ball fields, heavily used by youth groups for softball, baseball, soccer and lacrosse. Senator Brian A Joyce championed the project, previously securing authorization for funding in a bond bill.

Photos of the Blue Hills

2009-06-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

Want to see some great photos of the Blue Hills? On Christopher Link's website, you'll find his striking photos of the Blue Hills, along with descriptions that include history, biology and poetry.

Enjoy!

Action Alert: Wind

2009-06-28T09:47:00.008-04:00

Please take a moment to respond to this Action Alert from the Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network, of which FBH is a member. Like the Friends Network and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, FBH supports wind power, but believes that these turbines should be sited with community involvement. We encourage you to write a letter and/or add your name to the on-line petition. As this chart indicates, the Blue Hills is not included in the latest list of potential wind sites recommended by the state. Other wind turbine studies, however, have recommended several areas in the Blue Hills as potential sites for wind turbines.

Please submit your comments by July 1, 2009.

Action Alert from the Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network and Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions

Legislation has been filed to streamline permitting for wind power projects. MACC supports provisions of the proposed wind siting legislation that would add these needed protections. It opposes provisions that remove or weaken existing local regulations and permitting authorities, and provisions making it more difficult or impossible for citizens to appeal permits.

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs recently issued a report citing potential development of up to 947 MW of wind power on conservation lands managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. MACC opposes any weakening of protections for Article 97 conservation lands.

TAKE ACTION: Comments on the proposed legislation SB. 1504 and HB. 3065, An Act Relative to Comprehensive Wind Siting Reform can be submitted to the Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy:

The Honorable Michael W. Morrissey - Michael.W.Morrissey@state.ma.us
Room 413D State House Boston, MA 02133

The Honorable Barry R. Finegold
Room 473B State House Boston, MA 02133

Comments on wind siting on state land should be directed to:

Commissioner Philip Giudice - Phil.Guidice@state.ma.us
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge St., Suite 1020 Boston, MA 02114

Commissioner Rick Sullivan - Rick.Sullivan@state.ma.us
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway Street, Suite 600 Boston, MA 02114-2104

NOTE: If you do not have time to write a letter, you will find a petition and more information about the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act (H.B. 3065, S.B. 1504) here.

Dragonflies in the Blue Hills

2009-06-26T08:19:00.004-04:00

Want to know which dragonflies and damselflies to look for in the Blue Hills? For general information about these beautiful insects, of the order Odonata (Odes for short), check out the website Odes for Beginners . Visit the website Ode News for a list of odonates in Massachusetts, and by county. (The Blue Hills is in Norfolk County.)

Volunteers Needed July 12

2009-06-25T09:00:00.004-04:00

Want to spend the morning enjoying the Blue Hills and helping FBH at the same time? We're looking for volunteers for this year's Skyline Race to help hand water to thirsty runners. The race takes place July 12, 8:00 am. If you're interested, please contact Jeff Saeger, Race Director: runwld2@juno.com.

Ponk Golf Course

2009-06-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

As the Boston Globe reported in its June 19th issue, the United States Golf Association considered Ponkapoag Golf Course as a location for this year's U.S. Open. The estimated $35 million to renovate the course, however, proved just too great. See article below or click here for the on-line version.

In the Rough, Canton Gem Missed Big Shot
But Ponkapoag Needed Too Much to Host Open

By Peter Schworm
Globe Staff / June 19, 2009

CANTON - When two of the country’s top golf officials surveyed Ponkapoag Golf Course a few years back, they analyzed every green, every fairway, from every possible angle, as if grimly sizing up a tough lie. A few months earlier, a multimillion-dollar face lift of another scruffy public course - Bethpage State Park on Long Island - had culminated with its hosting the 2002 US Open to rave reviews. Now, the United States Golf Association was eagerly searching for a sequel.

Designed by legendary architect Donald Ross, Ponkapoag was at its core magnificent, a graceful expanse of rolling fairways gently flanked by maples and cedars. But too many rounds over too many years with too little maintenance had earned it the ignominious moniker in Sports Illustrated as the worst public course in America.

With the USGA’s help, some hoped then, Ponkapoag could reclaim the greatness Ross envisioned, and New England its place at the center of the golfing world.

It never happened. The challenges were just too great.

Yesterday, as large galleries lined the fairways at Bethpage Black to see the greats of the game take in New York’s second US Open in the last eight years, David Gianferante, who manages Massachusetts’ two state-owned golf facilities, gazed wistfully over Ponkapoag’s soggy, overgrown third hole, long closed to the public because of its state of total disrepair.
The USGA would have lengthened the hole, Gianferante explained as he eyed it from his cart, and sliced a stroke off its par. They marveled at its possibilities as a signature hole for a championship event.

“It’s a magnificent hole,’’ he said, looking out over a fairway that gently bends over 520 tree-framed yards from tee to green. “Just magnificent.’’

In many ways, the story of Ponkapoag is the story of lost opportunity, like a potentially winning putt that lips out on the 18th hole of a major championship. As the people of New York celebrate their rehabilitated course and the lucrative championship it hosts, the people at Ponkapoag, amid a downturn in golf, a suffering economy, and a chronic inferiority complex, are left to wonder what might have been.

“This could be better than Bethpage,’’ Gianferante said, estimating it would cost about $6 million to restore the nine holes made defunct by poor drainage. “Even though it was in tough shape, they could see the magic.’’

Mike Butz, the deputy executive director of the USGA, said he came to Ponkapoag in search of the next Bethpage, a municipal course that could challenge the game’s elite. But he and his team found “considerable challenges’’ in designing a course that would provide a “full examination’’ of players’ skills. Organizers, he said, would have found it hard to remodel the course to make it sufficiently challenging for the professionals.

“One of the attractions of Bethpage Black . . . is that any golfer can tee it up and experience the same course as the competitors in the US Open,’’ he said. “That would not have been the case of Ponkapoag.’’

Still, many wonder what might have been.

“I think about it all the time,’’ said John Connolly, a selectman in Canton. “They were very interested, if it had been at all up to par. But it wasn’t up to par.’’

You wouldn’t know by looking, but Ponkapoag boasts many of the qualities needed to host a major championship. In many ways, it was exactly what the USGA officials were looking for, a diamond in the rough they could shape to exact specifications.

Like Bethpage, Ponkapoag is a Depression-era municipal course designed by a legend, and once ranked among the great public facilities in the country. It stands in the shadow of one of the nation’s largest media markets, with easy access for fans and corporate sponsors. And like Bethpage, Ponkapoag has highways close at hand and a second course to help handle the crush of a major event.

But while Bethpage Black, the famously unforgiving championship course - part of a five-course complex in Farmingdale, N.Y. - needed a $3 million infusion of USGA money to make it Open-caliber, Ponkapoag required far more - tens of millions, by some estimates.

“It’s a lot like Bethpage, so you can understand why they would find it intriguing,’’ said Nathan Robbins, executive director of the New England PGA. “Underneath the years of neglect is a major championship golf course waiting to happen.’’

Or, as one consultant who studied Ponkapoag called it, “a Mona Lisa with mud on its face.’’
For those who treasure the course’s underlying beauty, its condition is an affront to the sport itself. Donald Ross, they say, is rolling over in his grave.

“It needs a total rehab,’’ said Jack Neville, director of golf at Brookline Golf Club and the former head professional at Ponkapoag. “It’s no Bethpage, let me tell you that. Though it could be.’’
Like that important missed putt that never quite loses its sting, the region’s golf community still mourns the missed chance. New England has not hosted a US Open since 1988, at The Country Club in Brookline.

Built in the 1930s, Bethpage Black was designed by storied architect A.W. Tillinghast. Over the years, it became a victim of its own success, as constant use outpaced upkeep. By the 1990s, when the USGA came to visit, it was past its prime.

But like Ponkapoag, it had potential for greatness. The USGA all but rebuilt the course, from tees to greens, installing a new irrigation system, extra drainage, and restoring the bunkers.
Now it is revered for its challenging nature; a sign at the first tee warns it is “an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.’’ In 2002, Tiger Woods was the only golfer to finish under par.

Many New England golf professionals remain hopeful that a complete renovation of Ponkapoag - costing as much as $35 million - could turn the USGA’s head.

“You could run a US Open there,’’ said Harry McCracken, secretary-treasurer of the New England Golf Association. “You’re going to have to lay out some funds, but in the long run you’re going to reap the benefit.’’

To that end, state Senator Brian A. Joyce, who represents Canton, is pushing to let the state lease the course to a private company to improve it.

“The opportunity cost is extraordinary,’’ he said. “Hosting a championship event could bring $100 million in regional economic impact.’’

Tom Rooney, head professional at LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville, grew up playing on Ponky, as it’s known informally. If things had turned out differently, he would be watching the drama unfold this weekend from his hometown course. “It would have been great,’’ he sighed.

Trailside Celebrates

2009-06-23T09:00:00.003-04:00

The sun shone for the Blue Hills Trailside Museum ribbon cutting and 50th anniversary celebration last Saturday. Over 4,000 people enjoyed the museum, the new outdoor exhibits and ceremony.

Photo, from left:

Norman Smith, Director Mass Audubon Trailside Museum

Brian A Joyce, State Senator

Mark Reed, NSTAR Director of Government Affairs

Laura Johnson, President Mass Audubon

Jack Murray, Deputy Commissioner of Mass DCR

Attention FBH photographers

2009-06-22T09:00:00.001-04:00

Do you have a camera and like to take photos? We're looking for several volunteers to take photos of a "crane test," tentatively scheduled on June 27. This test, to be conducted by the Town of Milton, is intended to simulate the visual impact of constructing a cellular telephone tower along Rte 128 near Houghton's Pond. Photographs need to be taken from several locations in and adjacent to the Blue Hills Reservation to analyze how a proposed 140 foot tower would look when juxtaposed against the Blue Hills. The tower will extend significantly above the canopy, which is about 70 feet at this location. Please contact Joe Sloane at jgsloane@gmail.com for details.

See previous post for background.

Trailside in the News

2009-06-21T22:23:00.006-04:00

Hope you were able to attend yesterday's anniversary party at the Trailside Museum. If you missed the event, you can still stop by the Museum to check out the renovations mentioned in this article. The new grounds look great! To read the article on line, click here.

Marking 50 years, naturally
By Matt Carroll
Globe Staff / June 18, 2009

Fifty years ago on the Blue Hills Reservation, white-tailed deer were not as common as they are now. Turkey vultures were a rare bird indeed and, to some, fisher cats were an exotic animal from who knows where.

Now, all three are relatively common on the reservation’s 7,000 acres, as the vast expanse of nature spread across Milton, Quincy, Braintree, Canton, Randolph, and Dedham has slowly evolved.

Change has come to the reservation’s Trailside Museum as well, which is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a party, including a slew of events for children and adults.
It’s the perfect opportunity to show off $1 million in renovations over the past three years that have helped spruce up a site that had grown a bit dowdy and staid over the decades.

The bash, slated for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., features a ribbon cutting at 11 by local dignitaries, a birthday cake from Montilio’s of Quincy at noon, live animal demonstrations, a fire truck, a scavenger hunt, even a live band. Everything is free.

Like a proud father, Norman Smith, the museum’s director, recently showed off the numerous changes at the museum and the surrounding grounds, which are dotted with animal exhibits.
“From an aesthetic standpoint, it is so different from what it was,’’ said Smith, gazing across the grounds, located on the Milton side of the reservation. “There’s no doubt there’s a ways to go . . . but people who’ve visited recently and seen how much it has changed are excited.’’
For those who haven’t visited in a few years, the overhauls are many, although the basic structure remains the same. Both the museum and its grounds have been renovated, although the most extensive work was outside.

The grounds have been neatly landscaped, with more paving instead of gravel, and more paths. There are two picnic areas and new buildings. The entrance to the museum has been reconfigured and the gift shop expanded. A new exhibit on the history of the site will be ready by the time of the party.

A small habitat area with local plants has been created right outside the front door to the museum. An inviting bench gives visitors a front-row seat to grosbeaks, grackles, and chipmunks filling themselves from multiple bird feeders hanging from trees.

The animal cages are all new. In one, a snowy owl gazes down with disdain; in another, a red-tailed hawk eyes a visitor as if he were a tasty morsel. Deer and new fawns amble slowly around.
Only the turtle and otter enclosures have not changed. An otter - a favorite since the museum opened - gamboled over massive tree trunks, slipped and twisted through the water with the grace of an aquatic ballet star, and then stopped for a snooze.

The Trailside Museum, which gets about 200,000 visitors a year, is supported by the state and by visitor contributions and donations. The site is owned by the state and run by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Over the past three years, Smith said private donors had contributed $1 million in money, work, and materials. The list ranged from $200,000 from NStar to smaller contributions from such companies as Smitherz Landscape, Cape Cod Lumber, and Gomaa Construction.

Smith started at the museum in 1966 as a volunteer, went full time in 1970, and has been director since 1990. In many ways, the popular Whitman resident is the face of the museum, and as part of the celebration, the Blue Hills Education Center at Chickatawbut Hill will be officially renamed the Norman Smith Environmental Education Center, in honor of his long service. The bill to honor Smith was pushed by state Senator Brian A. Joyce, Democrat of Milton.
Annie Greenman, a nanny from Hull visiting the museum for the first time, was impressed by the exhibits, as her three young charges scampered around her. “I plan to come back,’’ she said, “with quarters, so I can feed the ducks.’’

Madeline Emmott, just short of 2, was delighted by the mallard ducks flocking up from the site’s pond, eager to eat from her hand. Golden curls bouncing, Madeline was happy to oblige.
Smith said people have asked for the museum to be made bigger, but that has not happened, intentionally.

“We want them to come to the real museum, the 7,000 acres of the Blue Hills Reservation. In the small museum, they can get a map, learn a little, and then explore.’’

Although the grounds are free, there’s a fee to visit the museum: Adults, $3; seniors, $2; ages 2 to 12, $1.50; under 2, free.

Visual Impacts of Proposed Cell Tower

2009-06-19T11:03:00.003-04:00

At the Milton's Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Tuesday night, the Board discussed whether to grant the developer of the proposed 140 foot cell phone monopole a special permit for construction. The monopole tower, with up to five antenna arrays, is slated for construction on the triangle of land alongside the northbound onramp to Rt. 128 at Houghton's Pond. It will be sited on the very tip of that parcel where there are three short Mass Highway traffic monitoring towers. The land is in Milton, is owned by Mass Highway, and has been leased to Green Mountain Development.

The developer conducted a crane test for visibility and submitted photos from several angles along the highway, in the abutting residential neighborhood, from the DCR headquarters and Houghton's Pond concession stand, and along Hillside Street near Brookwood Farm. Due to the foliage and choice of camera angles, the written conclusion is that the visual impact will not be significant. The report defines the area of potential visual impact as a 1/2 mile radius around the proposed location.

At the meeting, Joe Sloane, representing FBH, expressed concerns that the developer did not assess how the tower would impact the view from the Reservation (especially hilltops) or from the south side of Route 128. From reviewing a USGS topographic map, it appears that a tower of this height will be prominent above the site's 70-80 foot tree line from many directions, especially from the AMC cabins and Fisherman's Beach at Ponkapoag and from several hilltop locations such as Houghton Hill.

To address concerns raised by FBH and a couple residents who were present at the meeting, the ZBA agreed to the following:

Another crane test will be done (tentatively Saturday, June 27) for a few hours to enable photos to be taken from many perspectives. We will need confirmation of the date and time. We will also need volunteers to spread out and take photographs of identified locations. Please let us know if you would be interested
The proponent will develop further drawings of a monopole with all antennae concealed, rather than on five stacked arrays as proposed. This pole may be slightly taller and thicker, but would possibly look less intrusive.
The color of the pole is open to input. If it is concluded that the greatest visibility is against vegetation vs. the sky, the pole could be painted a more subdued color to blend better.

Another concern expressed at the hearing is the possibility that the tower will impair visibility from the onramp to the highway, a concern particularly during rush hour.

Let us if you might be interested in taking photographs for the crane test.

Pulling Invasives

2009-06-18T09:00:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the 9 volunteers who pulled swollow wort at the Blue Hill Observatory last Saturday. If you missed us last weekend, we'll be out again for the next two Saturdays, 8:00 am on both June 20th and June 27th. (Email us at info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org for additional info.)

And many thanks to DCR's Ale Echandi and Jim Rusconi for organizing and overseeing our volunteers!

Trails Program Update

2009-06-17T09:00:00.001-04:00

The Trails Program is off to a roaring start in the new season. Our trails are showing the results of our hard work over the last two years. We continue to add new members at each event and more volunteers are stepping up to leadership positions. Please read on to learn about what we've been doing and what's ahead.

AAT Classroom Training Welcomes Large Turnout

Over 30 people turned out to learn about the AAT program. Bob Flagg presented the Adopter handbook and provided and overview of the program. Dexter Robinson discussed the database he has created to track our trail activities and reviewed recent enhancements to the FBH website. Ale Echandi (DCR) provided an update on DCR guidelines for trailwork including protection of endangered species in the Blue Hills. Don Hoffses from the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) reminded us of the benefits available under the Coleman Challenge. The classroom training concluded with a short video on trail maintenance and prizes for the lucky. You can obtain a free copy of the video shown at: http://www.fhwa.%20dot.gov/environm%20ent/rectrails/%20trailpub.%20htm
Thanks to Jim Kaemmerlin for leading a hike to point out possible maintenance along the trail.

Park Serve Day Attracts Big Fish to the Blue Hills

Governor Deval Patrick and Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) Commissioner, Rick Sullivan, attended the ParkServe event on April 25th to welcome volunteers. Each one praised the efforts of the Friends of the Blue Hills for their trail maintenance efforts.
We conducted four work projects with 26 volunteers. Trailwork was focused on Border Path and enhancing the brook near the Trailside Museum.

Volunteer Focus: Joe Woodman

While we have many great volunteers, Joe Woodman is a star. Last year, Joe attended his first trailwork event on Park Serve Day and attended every event, except one, for the rest of the year. Each event, Joe stepped right in to each project with a smile. Every leader agreed that Joe was the one they wanted on their work party. When the call went out for Adopters later in the year, Joe volunteered to take on Hancock Hill Path. Check out the trail to see his handiwork. For the new year, Joe has already stepped up again to become a Section Leader (see below for more information) . Joe will be leading work projects in the near future. Please join me in thanking Joe for his commitment to the program. He is certainly a trailblazer we hope many will follow.

New Adopters Flock to the AAT Program

We set a goal of 15 new Adopters this year and we have already signed up seven so far. Since the last Trails Update, we would like to welcome five more Adopters:

Ray Ajemian will be responsible for the section of Border Path – Marker 1175 to Unquity Rd.
Anne & Torin Crissey adopted Wolcott Path – Marker 1141 to DCR HQ and the section of trail between Markers 2152 & 2162.
Nick Georgantas has selected Hemenway Hill Path.
Dave Humphreys will take Border Path – Marker 1100 – 1135 and Rotch Path.
Win Burr has adopted Indian Trail a/k/a Fisherman's Trail.

Seeking Section Leaders for the AAT Program

As the program continues to add new Adopters, we desperately need Section Leaders to provide guidance and oversight to new Adopters. Each new Adopter is assigned a Section Leaders who will walk the Adopter's trail and discuss suggestions for work the Adopter should address. The Section Leader returns to the trail after the Adopter performs their maintenance and provides feedback to the Adopter.

Please contact Dexter Robinson or Greg Richards to discuss your interest in becoming a Section Leader. (See contact info below.)

Attend an Upcoming Work Event

Trail work events will be conducted on the following dates (all Saturdays, 9am – 1pm): July 11th, August 8, September 5, October 3.

Work parties meet at Houghton's Pond parking lot on Hillside Street. Lunch will be provided at the end of each event. Attendees should wear long pants, sturdy boots, work gloves and bring water, sun block and bug spray. We will provide all the tools and training.

FBH Outreach Committee Announces Work Dates to Remove Invasives

FBH is working with DCR to remove invasive species in the Reservation. Work dates are June 13th, 20th and 27th. Help is needed now to address these pesky weeds before they overwhelm the Blue Hills.

Please visit our website at http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/ for more information. Send emails to info@friendsofthebluehills.org to register or call 781-828-1805.

Join FBHTRAILS Yahoo Group

To simplify our communications to trail volunteers, we have established the FBHTRAILS Yahoo group. You can join the group by visiting our website and going to the Trails Program homepage. Click on the Y icon to link to the Yahoo website. Follow the instructions and you'll be set in a matter of minutes. You will receive emails periodically to announce upcoming trail events and other program information. Future Trails Updates will be sent to the Yahoo group. We will be phasing out our present process of emailing the update through Outlook. Please contact Dexter if you encounter problems.

See You on the Trails!!

If you have not joined us for a trailwork event yet, you don't know what you are missing. Each event provides a chance to learn new skills and to meet new friends. There is plenty of time available to make a difference to the trail but also to chat things up with someone new. We even provide food at the end of the event to provide a light atmosphere to socialize. If you have enjoyed us at prior events, welcome back!! We are excited to get underway.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION

Send us an email at mailto:trailwork@FriendsOf
Visit our website at http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/
Dexter Robinson at 781.294.8840, email mailto:dexpcdoc@gmail.
Greg Richards at 339.987.0891, email mailto:garichards02184@yahoo.com

Otters in Blue Hills?

2009-06-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

We asked Norman Smith, Trailside Museum director, whether he knew of otter-sitings at the Blue Hills - other than in the enclosure outside the musem! According to Norman, "they are occasionally seen in the Blue Hills. There was one hit by a car last fall on Unquity Road by the Harland Street Dam." Two years ago, he also found a dead otter on the roadside by Curry College.

So if you keep on the look out, you might just spot one swimming around. (And if not, you can also just stop by the museum....)

Trailside at 50

2009-06-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Fifty Years as Gateway to the Blue Hills Reservation
Saturday, June 20, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Please join Mass Audubon Blue Hills Trailside Museum to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Trailside museum opened in 1959. Since that time, the museum has served countless visitors as the gateway to the 7,000 acre Blue Hills Reservation. There will be the grand opening of the newly renovated outdoor exhibit space, free family oriented activities throughout the day, birthday cake, live animal presentations, and much more. For additional information visit Massaudubon.org/bluehills or call 617.333.0690. The museum is located at 1904 Canton Ave , Milton (route 138). Click here for details.

Trail Event Last Saturday

2009-06-12T08:19:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday, 25 hardy volunteers restored water bar, cleared culverts and even felled two dead trees. Look for the results on the trails!

Business Member Benefits

2009-06-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Anyone Can Be Gold, Silver, or Bronze!

But only a Business Member of FBH can be Great Blue, Chickatawbut, or Hancock! As a business owner or manager, just how many Gold Memberships do you need? Rather than offering you one more of everyone else’s category of business support, we have decided to offer a series that no one else can offer. Our levels of FBH business membership are named for seven of our own Blue Hills:

Great Blue $2,500
Chickatawbut $2,000
Hancock $1,500
Buck $1,000

Wolcott $ 750
Hemenway $ 500
Houghton $ 250

In case you have not already guessed, these are in the order by the height of each hill. And in case you are wondering what sort of exposure is available to your business in return for this support, please call Doug Wynne, FBH Membership Consultant, at 508-660-1658 or email Doug at Doug@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org. (Doug will be calling all current FBH Business Members to review the benefits of this new program.)

'Indian Trail' Sign

2009-06-10T09:00:00.001-04:00

According to the June 4th Milton Times, the Milton Historical Commission researched and restored the 'Indian Trail' sign at the corner of Adams Street and Churchill's Lane in Milton. The sign, one of four original signs place around town in 1930, reads:

1630/1930
Indian Trail
Churchill's lane when the Indians sold their land
near the mouth of the Neponset River they removed to the territory south of the Blue Hills, which they called Ponkapoag, sweet water.

Milton Wind Turbines

2009-06-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

For an electronic version of this article from the June 4th Milton Times, click here.

Town Gets Wind of Turbines’ Future

By Scott MacKeen, Milton Times Staff Writer

Residents attending a Wind Energy Committee meeting last week got a glimpse into what wind turbines could look like in Milton.

Photo simulations showing where turbines could be built in town indicate that the structures, even at 480 feet, would go largely unseen by their neighbors.

Residents on Randolph Avenue, Ridgewood Road, Rose Street, Fletcher Steele Way and Chickatawbut Road – near the Granite Links Golf Club – would be among those who would notice the blades of the turbines poking out slightly above the tree lines if the structures were built on the former landfill adjacent to the golf course.

The whole of each turbine would be clearly visible to golfers at Granite Links and mostly visible to those at Wollaston Golf Club. However, at a distance of 1,200 feet from the nearest home, only the blades of the turbines would be visible to residents through the trees and produce no noise, according to a presentation the Wind Energy Committee gave at the outreach meeting.

Richard Kleiman, chair of the committee, said he was surprised at how little of the turbines is visible in photos. The simulations show how they would appear with a turbine added digitally. The work was done in collaboration with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which is also in the midst of studying the site’s feasibility for wind turbines. The town has a $65,000 grant from the MTC.“I think some people are going to be surprised by the results we’ve found,” Kleiman said at the May 27 meeting, adding that “you almost can’t see anything” from most views in town.

The photos were shot from roads that run near the landfill site, in the Quarry Hills area. Shots taken from Cunningham Park, Milton Academy and Loews Estates also show only a portion of the white blades appearing above the trees. In many of the images, the view of the turbine wasn’t apparent and had to be pointed out.

However, simulations from views at the golf courses show the turbines would be clearly visible nearly in their entirety. But Kleiman said even as they would be visible at those locations, the noise that wind turbines make are minimal and cannot be heard past 200 feet. “The noise is almost completely canceled out past 200 feet. We’re well past that point,” he said.

The town may also hang a large balloon about where the turbines would go for a period of time for residents to see where they would be built, Kleiman added. Annual Town Meeting approved a zoning plan for the turbines last month. Under that plan, they would have to be built at least 1,200 feet away from the nearest dwelling, 1,100feet from the nearest state highway and 1,150 feet from the nearest public road.

Another Town Meeting, possibly a special fall meeting, would be asked to accept a financing plan, likely to involve bonding to build the turbines, Kleiman said. The plan would first have to be brought to the Planning Board, where special permitting and site review is required. Kleiman said that will happen once the MTC concludes its study in a few weeks. “We’ll have a much clearer picture of what we’re talking about by the summer,” Kleiman said, adding that public hearing will continue to field questions and concerns.According to a recent estimate, each turbine would cost around $4 million to install and $20,000 annually to maintain. Town officials are also eyeing stimulus and grant money to cover some of the costs. The town could be eligible for a zero-interest bonding plan through a federal government wind program, officials say.

One turbine would generate between $600,000 and $900,000 in energy savings each year, and two could produce enough energy to cover the town’s annual energy bill, according to the estimate. To achieve the savings, the energy is sold back to NSTAR and the town receives a deduction on its energy bill, Kleiman explained. For between three and seven years – the time Kleiman thinks the town needs to break even on construction costs – a portion of the energy savings would go toward the cost.

Kleiman, an independent energy consultant who has overseen similar turbine projects, said he is personally excited about the potential of seeing turbines in Milton.“I think it’s going to be great to see these in town,” he said. “We want all the neighbors involved. They can get a look at it and decide what they think.”On the night after the turbine meeting, Town Administrator Kevin Mearn told Selectmen he has heard only good things from residents about the project.“People are really enthusiastic about turbines, and I think I’m understating that,” he said.