Appendix B: Survey and Results

Pipestave Hill

A. Open Space Community Survey and Survey Results

West Newbury’s Open Space and Recreation Plan was last prepared in 1996. This survey will enable the committee to complete an updated plan based upon broad community input as to current open space planning priorities and goals. The update will also renew the Town’s eligibility for land acquisition funds from the State. The planning committee appreciates your input.

Please return the survey to collection boxes located at the 1910 Building, the Library, the Food Mart, or add a stamp, fold and mail it to Open Space Committee, 1910 Building, 381 Main Street, West Newbury, MA 01985. Please complete and return by March 1, 2002.

QUESTIONS REGARDING PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE

1. How important is it for you to preserve : Very important 1

Somewhat important 2

Neutral 3

Not very important 4

Not at all important 5

Data hard to interpret because of question confusion.

250 corridors along streams, rivers and ponds 227 farmland

261 wooded areas and corridors for wildlife 217 freshwater wetlands

231 meadows 185 roadside views

224 hilltop vistas

2. Please list any specific parcels that you believe should be preserved and why.

Cherry Hill 72 Long Hill 10
Pipestave 17 Farms 11

Dunn 10

QUESTIONS REGARDING RECREATION

3. Please check the following passive recreational facilities used regularly by members of your household.

60 picnic areas 71 fishing areas 189 hike/bike/horse/ski trails

26 Ferry Park 79 Riverbend 211 Mill Pond/Pipestave Hill

72 Crane Pond Wildlife area 17 other_______________

90 Civic Center lawn and bandstand area

4. Please check the following active recreational facilities used regularly by members of your household.

79 soccer fields 76 baseball/softball fields 84 school playground

12 Action Cove 72 tennis courts 27 basketball courts

19 snowmobile trails 53 boating areas 34 Pentucket track

5. How important is it to you for the Town to acquire and preserve areas for the further development of organized recreation areas such as ball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts?

Very important………..neutral…………….not at all important

1 2 3 4 5

13.5 16.8 28.7 12.5 28.5

6. Please indicate which recreational programs you would like to see added or enlarged.

80 youth summer camp program 87 teen program

140 nature programs for youth 58 adult sports program

49 vacation youth rec programs 43 senior rec program

91 organized community service programs 35 youth weekend ski trips

14 other_____________________________

7. Please indicate which sports facilities you would like to see further added or enlarged.

48 soccer fields 42 baseball/ softball fields 74 skating rink

54 tennis courts 23 basketball courts 38 skateboard/rollerblade park

8. Please indicate which facilities would you like to see added or enlarged.

111 parks 70 picnic areas 37 playgrounds

52 fishing areas 92 swimming facility 62 public boat ramp

155 trails 103 sledding hill behind Page 11 snowmobile trails

35 municipal cemetery 11 other:__________

9. In order to establish a trail network, would you consider granting permission

for passive use of trails on your property for activities such as hiking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and other non motorized uses? 61% Yes 39% No

If yes, would you prefer to grant such permission to a public or to a private entity (such as a trails association or land trust)? 40.3% Prefer public 59.7% Prefer private entity

If no, please share your concerns. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUESTIONS REGARDING GROWTH OF THE TOWN

10. How important is it to you for the Town to obtain and set aside land for future infrastructure, such as schools, wellfields and other municipal facilities?

Very important……………neutral…………not at all important

1 2 3 4 5

36.1% 30.8% 19.2% 6.6 % 7.3

11. Do you support the use of municipal funds for the acquisition of water well fields?

76.5% Yes 23.5% No

12. Do you think the Town should enact use restrictions on properties to protect surface water supplies ? 76.3% Yes 23.7% No

Comments:________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

13. Do you see the rate of development in Town as

2% too slow, 35% about right, 63% too fast

QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMUNITY PRESERVATION

14. The Community Preservation Act (CPA) allows municipalities to increase the tax rate

by up to 3% to fund acquisition of areas for open space and recreation, for preservation

of historic structures and for development of affordable housing. The Act enables the State to grant matching funds (up to 100%) to communities who enact the CPA. At what level of participation would you be willing to increase the tax rate through the Community Preservation Act for the purposes described above?

18.9% 0% 7.2% 0.5% 13.7% 1% 9.3% 1.5% 12.4 2% 3.4% 2.5% 35.1 3%

15. What do you like most about living in West Newbury, and how best can it be preserved?

Rural character 44.0% Wildlife 5.4% Views 4.4%

Open space 31.6% Farms 5.4% Schools 5.4%

Sense of community 5.7% Accessible 4.4% Scenic Roads 4.4%

Zoning 13.3 Purchase open space 10.4 No new development 6.0

16. Do you have any other information or thoughts that you would like to have considered regarding

open space and recreation in Town? Please use back of page if needed. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

How long have you lived in Town Who is in your household?

1.9% less than 1 year ( ) number of adults, ( ) seniors

19.3% 1-5 years ( ) number of preschoolers

24.5% 6-10 years ( ) number of elementary students

21.0% 11-20 years ( ) number of teens

33.3% more than 20 yrs ( ) # of persons with special needs

___________________
___________________

Return to: OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE

1910 BUILDING

381 MAIN STREET

WEST NEWBURY, MA 01985

__________________________________________________________

Please mark your calendars for further discussion of these issues at an

Open Space and Recreation Planning Forum

April 3, 2003

7:30 PM

First Floor Hearing Room, 1910 Building

_________________________________________________________________

Open Space Committee

Town of West Newbury

01985

RESIDENT

WEST NEWBURY

MA 01985

B. Open Space Survey Narrative

Summary

The West Newbury Open Space Committee surveyed town residents on open space

and recreation issues by mail in spring 2002. The survey’s response rate of 20% of town

households allows identification of a wide range of opinions on open space and recreation issues

and related views of the role of local government in managing public lands and

regulating private property.

Among respondents, 33% have lived in West Newbury more than 20 years, 21% 11-20 years, 25% 6-10 years, 19% 1-5 years and 2% less than 1 year.

Asked what they liked most about West Newbury, three quarters of respondents cited rural character or open space. Six in 10 respondents said the rate of growth in town is too fast; nearly all the rest said it’s “about right” (few said it’s too slow). Asked how the town’s qualities can best be preserved, respondents most frequently cited purchasing open space, tougher zoning and stopping new developments.

Two-thirds of respondents said it’s important for the town to acquire land for future infrastructure needs. Asked what facilities they’d like to see added or enlarged, respondents most commonly cited trails, parks and the sledding hill behind the Page School. Asked a similar question about recreational programs, respondents most often cited nature programs for youth, community service programs and other programs for teenagers. However, some respondents cited spending concerns and several said West Newbury would just turn into another “overgrown” suburb if too much open space is developed for active recreation.

Narrative Comments

Respondents were encouraged to offer any additional thoughts they had on open space and recreation issues. Here are some representative comments, grouped according to themes that emerged :

Natural Beauty/Rural Character

• It is the natural beauty of the area that attracted me in the first place. I believe that it contributes to my quality of life and the value of my community.
• Small town used to be my complaint; now it’s my delight. Try to get kids to savor the novelty of open space available for exploration, camping, improving their own use.
• (Farm land is) important to West Newbury’s identity. Working farms are more than just for profit making – they retain a rural and historical ambiance that is fast disappearing.”
• We purchased my parents’ house and decided to raise our family here because of the tranquility and beauty of West Newbury. We would like to see all continued concern for wildlife/environment balanced with an eye on the future for both recreational and municipal needs.
• We really don’t want to see much progress. We love it just the way it is.
• West Newbury must do something and very soon to prevent growth that occurs with very little regard for our environment, for nature, for wildlife, and for the future welfare of our planet and of our children and their children.
• Value is in the current perception that W. Newbury is not selling out to developers.
• The small town with lots of unique homes with lots of trees and farms. Stop all the developers from filling every open space for more homes!
• Preserve the country roads
• Save properties with high build-out potential, especially those where buildings would be visible from public roads and walks.

• Small town, still mostly rural but close to all major highways and services. Quiet, comfortable. Seems as if town is “away from it all” when it really is not. Slow the pace of new home building, development.
• We love the small town atmosphere and the lack of development. The views, the old houses. It is just a wonderful, picturesque New England town. We love all the stone walls, the woods, the feeling of being safe and away from the maddening crowds.
• I was born here. I love it.

Changing Character

• I used to like the feel of it, but in the last 4-5 years, the town has been built up like all the rest
• Every parcel of land = new homes. Goodbye to the beautiful land of West Newbury. Glad I took pictures.
• If people move here and then want city amenities, they do the town a disservice. Then, after changing the character, they sell and move on.
• The nature of West Newbury is altered as the land goes to construction. We are turning into a yuppie town where soccer fields are more important than open farm land. In 20 years, we will be Andover and North Andover.
• I do like the small-town feel and open spaces in this town. Unfortunately, it is fading away. Development must be slowed and restricted; no sewer links. People with school-age children must be willing to make do and share existing recreational facilities rather than create more, or to self-fund the lease of playing fields in the area (much like hockey parents do now — they don’t expect town subsidy).
• West Newbury was truly rural when I moved here in 1969. I think the town could and should have done more to prevent rapid growth, to support and aid farmers, perhaps by reducing their real estate taxes. Open space has drawn many people here, but they then often do what they can to get rid of the open space by erecting new developments, installing more and more athletic fields, spending more on improving school buildings than they do on enough high-quality teachers!

Open Space Preservation

Some are willing to spend more to protect the town’s open space:

• Protect open space at all costs. That will then define the inevitable development
• I’ve moved here for the lovely countryside which has been eaten up very quickly over the past decade. I think we should spend as much money as possible to buy up and preserve the little open space that is left.
• Buy up whatever large parcels become available.

• The town’s greatest assets are its people and open space. It’s what attracted us here and keeps us here. The Town should do all it can to maintain its passive open spaces.

• I like the open land and the town should buy up as much open space as becomes available and as soon as possible!!
• I am a proponent of town acquisitions of parcels of land. I am willing to pay higher taxes to achieve this.
• We should concentrate on parcels contiguous to current open space to preserve the passive recreation trail system. Then target land for future town infrastructure, which should be concentrated near the town center for ease of access to all residents.

• Slow down the growth. It’s ruining the quality of life and costing too much in taxes. More houses and more people equal more taxes.

Others objected:

• Rural nature best preserved by keeping taxes low so that people can afford to own land and by avoiding restrictions on the use of the land.
• We should spend more money upgrading facilities, less on buying open land.
• I think that it is critical that the town make better use of and take better care of the lands that it currently owns before they look to the taxpayers to fund more purchases of open space.
• Town has plenty of “open space” already – our current zoning, soil constraints, and existing restrictions have kept growth at a very reasonable level.
• I do not want to fund land acquisition with additional taxes.
• We have enough parcels of land now, between state, town, and unbuildable acreage. What is needed is proper maintenance of existing parcels
• It used to be a lovely community for the common person. Now it caters just to the wealthy.
• Was great prior to you yuppies. You are running the farmers off!

Additional concerns about open space preservation included:

• I support the preservation of open space, but this cannot be at the expense of quality of life in other parts of town. If you continue to allow houses to be jammed into small lots in some parts of town (such as along Main Street) while using taxpayer dollars to create elite, preserved “utopias” in other parts of town, this is fundamentally unfair. ALL development needs to be controlled and slowed in this town — nor just in the “desirable” neighborhoods!
• It is ironic that people move here for the “country” life and then go about destroying it with all kinds of programs commonly provided by the “overgrown” towns they just left.
• People want the town to provide everything, and to do that, we squander resources – most commonly the land – which is irreplaceable.

• The many old houses and the river – both should be protected as much as possible without infringing upon the rights of property owners too much.
• We need to slow the growth. If we are allowing new building, then it should be cluster building and include affordable housing. Our wells, facilities and schools demand that we slow our growth. The effects on the wildlife and pollution also demand such.

Education/Information about Open Space

· Would be helpful to know where all the public spaces are. Also would like to know what restrictions are for zoning/building.

· Publicize better, within town, where the recreation areas are, where points of access are located. Where is parking? Hours? Push information to households.

· Educational approaches should be the first step.

Trails on Public Land

• Trail system – “emerald necklace” linkage of parks, etc. No snowmobiles, please! (It’s the noise!)
• I like living in a beautiful place. I walk a lot so it is important to me that the town preserve as much open space as possible. I hope the town will acquire land and will pursue the establishment of a trail network for non-motorized uses.
• Any parcels that can link a trail network to Maudsley State Park. Connected access to existing trails, especially Pentucket to Maudsley.

Trail Easements on Private Land

Although six in 10 respondents said they would consider granting permission for passive use of trails on their property, a number of respondents expressed concerns, particularly about privacy, control over private land, liability, and disturbance of property:

• No, I believe I pay enough taxes to ensure my privacy.
• I will control our land
• People have no concern for others’ property; trash, destruction, noise
• Disrupt animal habitats
• Having people on my property regularly would be troublesome with my dogs.
• Facilities between schools, Pipestave, and Bachelor Street are plenty
• Too often, the arrogance of the users who cease to see it as a kindness or gift and begin to see it as a right.
  
  

Some were more open to the idea, especially if access permission were granted through a private

rather than public entity:

· I would not mind those who are quiet and non destructive.

· Non-motorized is key. Snowmobiles, ATV’s, etc. should not be allowed on trails.

· Arguably, the private entity would limit the types of use and enforce same better than a political entity.

Drinking Water

Respondents were asked if the town should enact use restrictions on properties to protect surface water supplies. There was considerable resentment toward Newburyport, which has rights to certain surface water supplies in West Newbury and sells water to West Newbury only at retail rates when the town needs the water during summer.

• Yes, if land owner is paid
• Government should leave private property alone.
• The town doesn’t use surface water!
• The only beneficiary of this would be Newburyport. Why should W. Newbury citizens use of property be held hostage to another town’s needs?
• Yes, but only with guaranteed discount water rate from Newburyport.
• Very important to allow water department to be “self-sufficient.” Get away from purchase of water from Newburyport.
• 1945 was a three-year drought in West Newbury. We have to get more wells. Some farmers had to give up as hay was scarce. Forget soccer fields, we need more water to live.
• I think all the chem-lawn companies should be restricted at the least, better yet, banned. Also ban the in-ground sprinklers. Certain restrictions may be necessary but this can get out of hand and be unreasonable.
• I already follow organic practices to protect aquifer to Mill Pond and well field.

Wildlife

• Too much is being done for organized areas while wildlife is being driven out. We need more natural, unimproved areas.
• Protect scenic areas, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. Reasonably control growth, encourage recreational activities and sports, especially for children.

• Stone walls that are kept up, fields that are mowed, this is in the past. Land now taken has grown up to jungles. Fisher cats, coyotes, and wild animals are taking over. These were never heard of years ago.

Hunting

• Hunters trespass all over town. People feel entitled to use private land just because it’s open.
• hould close the town for hunting before some child is killed in the recreation land or forest. Hunters are everywhere.

Miscellaneous Feedback

• Friendly people- atmosphere- mixed income. Fair and equitable taxes — working for the citizens of all ages/income — not just a favored few.
• We like woodlands, field, proximity of nature; “quiet;” congenial population; mix of old and new with space in between; community consciousness; schooling. Control expansion; continued investment in community.
• Sense of community. Make available open space for passive recreation where people can meet and share a good time.
• W.N. is unique for its open space. 2 acre zoning would help. Open space and passive recreation areas should be open to everyone in town, not just the equestrians.
• I think creative ways of allowing development should be explored. I’d like to see a bit more commercial development in the town center to allow small businesses that provide a valuable service.
• We enjoy the bucolic life, the Food Mart and the Post Office.
• Quiet, open space, natural beauty, good town services.
• Place development where it cannot be seen, or try to encourage a neotraditional development model for new subdivisions.
• Country feel yet close enough to Newburyport, Boston, Portsmouth to support a high quality standard of living.
• The town is preserved by not having a municipal water treatment plant.
• Beautiful countryside, friendly people, good schools, and public concern for important factors such as this one.
• For our family, the single most important reason we live in West Newbury is the open space for skiing, running, biking and hiking. We live here because we love the outdoors.
• Sensible laws about development so that this town doesn’t turn into tract housing. Lovely scenic wilderness. Not crowded.
• The old homes, open spaces. Sense of its historic, rural past. This can be maintained with controlled and very thoughtfully planned growth. Not sprawl.
• The small country feel; however, because of the increase in population, particularly in children, we feel it is important to have a good balance between open space for nature and recreation.
• A nice town. Reasonable taxes (although this is changing fast). Best preserved through careful zoning.
• Town must aggressively pursue affordable housing to guard against 40B, and create housing for seniors.

· Peace and quiet, isolation, birds, wild flowers, wildlife. Stop “improving.” Leave open spaces for nature. No more houses, playgrounds, ball fields, wide roads.