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View town manager's summary e-mail
01/09/10
Stone dust suggested as means to make Leighton Farms open space more
usable
A stone dust path may be the bridge between town regulations and users
of a open space in the Leighton Farms subdivision.
Town staff met with residents of the neighborhood on Jan. 7, 2010 to
discuss concerns over maintenance and access to town-owned open space
in the subdivision.
"There was a strong feeling among the group that they would like clear
access to the greenbelt but also maintain the neighborhood character,"
said Town Manager Michael McGovern, in an e-mail summarizing the
meeting. "To this end, all there agreed with a concept of
having a 4-5
foot stone dust path extending across the town owned property from
Leighton Farm Road to Steeplebush Road, which is in Cross Hill,"
McGovern said.
In November 2009, the Town Council upheld an order from McGovern that
part of a stone wall built at the trail head at 8 Leighton Farm Road be
removed, and that the town-owned open space to be restored to its
natural condition. At the council meeting Nov. 9, where the decision
was made, several neighbors said they supported maintenance of the
trail as a "cut-through" to the neighboring Cross Hill subdivision, and
asked to work with the town to make the open space usable while
maintaing its natural character.
Representatives from eight households attended the Jan. 7 meeting with
staff, McGovern said.
"The area on either side of the stone dust path would under this plan
continue to be maintained on a voluntary basis by the abutting
neighbors in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. No
structures could be placed on the town property without permission and
the council directive to remove the small portion of the stone
landscape wall that is on municipal property remains," McGovern's
e-mail says.
Those attending the meeting also agreed to the concept of holding
neighborhood work parties approximately once a year to clear invasive
plants overgrowing open space running behind the homes. The town
planner, or a volunteer from the Conservation Commission, would meet
with the work party to ensure town standards are understood and met.
He estimated the cost of the stone dust at under $4,000, and may be
paid for from the town's sewer maintainence fund. The path was
originally created for the sewerline and is part of the sewer service
for the region, McGovern said.
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