Section 7 - Analysis of Needs

Cranberry Meadows off Brown Island Road

A. Summary of Resource Protection Needs

Introduction

The following resources were identified in the Open Space and Recreation Survey (the Survey), through discussions with Town boards and officials, and through public meetings as resources the Town must take steps to preserve and protect:

· Scenic resources and unique environments:
open space, views from roadsides and hilltops, meadows and farmlands 

· Wildlife habitats and corridors

· Wetlands

· Water supply, and

· Surface waters.

An analysis of the protection needs for each resource is covered in the following pages.

Preserve and protect scenic resources and unique environments

Issue:  More than 75% of the persons responding to the Survey cited the Town’s rural character, natural beauty, and open spaces as the reasons they most enjoy living in West Newbury. However, the chief components of this resource -- the landscape; the old and diverse housing stock; the farms, fields, and meadows; and the roadside views -- are being lost to development.

Summary of Needs:

· Educate landowners regarding strategies for protecting valued vistas and land uses through the use of easements, life estates, and deed restrictions.

· Enforce the Town’s Scenic Roads Bylaw, as well as the State Statute known as the Shade Tree Act

· Enact local bylaws designed to preserve hilltop vistas

· Consider enlarging the Historic District and/or establishing new Historic Districts

· Encourage residential development to be sensitive to roadside views, and promote “interior” and “green neighborhood” developments in order to preserve unique environments, farmlands, and meadows not otherwise protected by state or local regulations.

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A. Summary of Resource Protection Needs, Continued

Protect wildlife habitats and corridors

Issue: Although prime wildlife habitat areas and corridors exist in the Town, many are on private lands and are not protected by Town or state regulations. Some areas are covered by the state’s Wetlands Protection Act, but this protection is partial at best. The highest priorities for those persons responding to the Survey was to preserve wooded areas, as well as stream, river and pond corridors for wildlife. Although the Town has made great gains in acquiring new land over the past five years, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive plan by which various types of Town-owned properties are consistently managed.

Summary of needs:

· Identify, map, and prioritize these sites for protection.

· Work with landowners to develop conservation easements.

· Aggressively pursue grant funding to help acquire high-quality habitat lands.

· Establish and implement a land management program for Town-owned lands.

Protect wetlands

Issue: Although most wetland areas are offered some protection under state law, they and their buffers are threatened by increased development. Even development that includes buffer zones can harm these sensitive areas.

Summary of needs:

· Identify, map and prioritize wetlands for protection.

· Establish more aggressive buffer zones through local zoning.

· Enforce existing protections and buffer zones.

· Establish and implement a vernal pool certification program.

Protect water supplies

Issue: West Newbury residents get their water either from the Town water supply system or from private wells. Current practice allows homes that are located within 1,000 feet of the Town’s water lines to connect to the Town system. All other areas of Town rely on private wells. All private wells must be located within the same parcel of land as the house. As described in Section 4, the need for water by West Newbury residents connected to the Town water system exceeds the demand during certain times of the year. Seventy-six percent of the Survey respondents supported the use of municipal funds to acquire new sources of Town water and supported the enactment of a surface water protection bylaw.

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A. Summary of Resource Protection Needs, Continued

Summary of needs:

· Protect parcels of land which have been identified as probable sources of new Town water.

· Enact aquifer protection districts for existing and future well sites.

· Consider limiting connections to Town water until new sources of Town water come on line.

· Protect Newburyport supply by increasing the buffer zone surrounding reservoirs.

· Work to protect private drinking water wells.

· Continue to develop potential sites for a new water supply.

Protect surface waters

Issue: West Newbury surface waters include the Merrimack River, Mill Pond, Little Crane Pond, Upper and Lower Artichoke, Indian Hill Reservoirs, and a variety of tributaries to the Merrimack and Parker Rivers. As the Town becomes more developed and as the population of nearby Towns increase, West Newbury's surface waters are at risk from water pollution and habitat loss. The enactment of a surface water protection bylaw was strongly recommended by those responding to the Survey.

Summary of needs:

· Identify and acquire critical parcels of river front property for water protection, habitat protection, and recreational use.

· Consider changing zoning in order to limit the number of docks and design of docks.

· Strengthen our partnership with the Merrimack River Watershed Council to coordinate protection efforts.

Many parcels owned both publicly and privately are covered by various regulations which limit
development within the Merrimack River flood plain and in areas subject to the Wetlands
Protection Act. The newly enacted Rivers Protection Bill will limit some development within
200 feet of Town waterways -- including the Indian, Artichoke and Merrimack Rivers and
Beaver and Saw Mill Brooks.

B. Summary of Community Needs

Introduction

Several areas of concern surfaced in the public hearings and in the community survey mailed out in the spring of 2002. The Town needs that were most frequently cited by participants and respondents included:

1. Preserve the Town’s rural character

2. Provide recreation opportunities for townspeople of all ages

a. Develop and maintain trails

b. Improve access to the Merrimack River

c. Maintain active recreation facilities and monitor future needs

1. Preserve Rural Character

Issue: Many survey respondents commented that the Town is losing, or is in danger of losing, its “rural character” as its population increases. While difficult to quantify, “rural character” emerges throughout the quantitative and narrative portions of the survey as the most beloved feature of the Town, encompassing open space, agricultural lands, wildlife, and a sense of history and community. Although there is some objection, most survey responders believe the Town has much to gain by keeping farmland open. However, with land values skyrocketing, it is unrealistic for the Town to attempt to purchase more than the most vital parcels.

Summary of needs:

· Address the concept of “rural character” by identifying land uses that embody it, and by studying patterns of development.

· Promote development which allows for increased density while maintaining “rural character.”

· Continue to identify and prioritize parcels that characterize the Town’s “rural character,” and work toward saving them.

· Increase historical awareness.

2. Provide recreation opportunities for townspeople of all ages.

The 1996 Open Space and Recreation Plan recommended that West Newbury develop active, youth-oriented recreation facilities. Since that time, the Town committed $600,000 to the development of additional fields on Pipestave Hill and behind the Page School. With the new athletic fields nearing completion, our active recreation needs have been met for the near-term.

Respondents to the 2002 OSRP Community Survey identified a continuing need for the expansion of passive recreation opportunities. In particular, 49% of respondents wanted trail systems to be enlarged; others suggested the addition of parks, fishing areas, and a sledding hill.

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B. Summary of Community Needs, Continued

 a. Develop and maintain trails

Issue: The Town has a variety of trails randomly distributed throughout the Town, that are used for hiking, biking, riding, and cross-country skiing. Of the people who returned the community survey, 60% currently use these trails.

Many trails have been shortened or eliminated altogether due to development. In those developments where trail easements exist, the easements have not been enforced and many of the trails are in disrepair. Trails that do still exist are often separate, unconnected, and cover both public and private land. Trails that are on private land may be at risk when or if the land is sold for development.

Summary of needs:

· Identify, map and acquire critical parcels of land that currently contain trails.

· Encourage landowners to offer easements for trails.

· Develop a monitoring and enforcement agency to maintain trails.

· Establish a Town-wide trail system which connects existing trails.

· Analyze public access needs and create a plan to improve as needed.

· Work with landowners to acquire trail easements prior to the sale of the property.

· Increase awareness of existing trail systems and promote their use and regular upkeep.

b. Develop Merrimack River access for fishing and boating

Issue: State-owned land at the base of the Rocks Village Bridge provides the Town's well-used public access to the Merrimack River. Although it is not generally well-known, public river access also exists at the bottom of Whetstone Street, on Rivermeadow Drive, behind the Pentucket Regional High School, and in the Riverbend Conservation Area.. However, these access points are currently undeveloped and difficult, if not impossible, to use. Of the people who returned the Community survey, 36% would like additional access to public boat ramps and fishing areas. As riverfront parcels increase in value, the Town will be unable to acquire additional river access.

Summary of needs:

· Identify undeveloped riverfront parcels and prioritize for river access use.

— Work with the Conservation Commission to evaluate riverfront parcels appropriate
for increased public access and use.

· Increase awareness of existing river access points; promote their use, and establish
programs for regular upkeep.

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B. Summary of Community Needs, Continued

c. Develop new recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities

Issue: The population of the Town has been growing at approximately 20% per decade, about twice as fast as the Merrimac Valley region as a whole. West Newbury has the second highest proportion of children under 18. Aside from the organized team sports programs, there are a very limited number of recreation programs available to these children. To address the needs of the elderly, West Newbury’s Council on Aging provides our relatively small but vibrant over-65 population with daily lunches, monthly trips, and regular exercise classes.

Summary of Needs:

· Analyze the needs for programs for children of different ages.

· Define and implement a plan to expand youth recreation programs.

· Develop and implement non-sports-oriented youth and teen programs.

· Define and implement a plan to expand senior citizen recreation programs as needed.

· Define and implement a plan to expand access and programs for townspeople with disabilities.

C. Management Needs, Potential Change of Use

The following management needs have been identified during the revision of this plan:

· Develop a management plan for the better care and use of open space lands owned by the Town. The management plan should also address the use of unprotected Town lands with open space potential.

· Define and implement protocols for the Land Management and Growth Bond.

· Integrate the OSC into the development planning and permitting process.

· Maintain “Priority Parcel List to assist in preserving and protecting key parcels.

· Analyze the Town’s 40B/Affordable Housing requirements as it affects open space.

· Define and implement a plan to expand access and programs for Townspeople with disabilities.

West Newbury has accomplished a great deal in the last few years regarding acquisition and preservation of new open space parcels.  The current lean fiscal climate allows us time to pause and focus on management challenges, which were clearly voiced as a concern  by townspeople at the Open Space and Recreation Forum.