Buildings And The Brook

I have a couple of things rattling around upstairs that have been bugging me a bit. One is the restoration of the Hamant Brook. I know that the state biologist has stated that restoring the brook, and draining the ponds in the former Robinson Crusoe property would be the best thing to do in order to restore the area, but I'm still not on board.

This brook is one of the last areas in Massachusetts where Brook Trout reside east of the Berkshires. They are there because the area has not been "touched" by man for decades. They have not been "fished out" of the area, either. When the dams are taken down, and free access to the Quinebaug River is allowed for these fish, what then? They'll swim down stream to Southbridge, get sucked through the inlet at the Westville Dam, and then off to parts unknown.

No more Brook Trout.

I've been told that they won't venture that far, and they will return to brook to spawn. I hope so.

I also am having a hard time seeing the ponds disappear. I know they are man made, but they are beautiful. I'd hate to see them gone.

I'd like to have some reassurance about the trout, and just how the area will look after the dams are gone. Also, there is another pond at the top of the mountain that flows into the brook. this pond may have started out being a small one at one time, but beavers have dammed it against an old stone wall a the crest of the hill, and it is quite large now. The overflow runs down the mountain at an incredible pace, like a waterfall, and follows the tract of a stream that has been there forever. It flows between the stone remnants of an old mill. Will the plan to restore Hamant Brook involve removing the beaver dam as well? It is only a matter of time before it bursts on its own, and the volume of water held back will destroy anything positive done down stream.

Another thing that has been on my mind is the Town Hall / Center School Project. I expected things to be in progress at this date, but there have been meeting after meeting, and a lot of things to discuss, and work out. It is not the simple plan of refurbishment I thought it would be at the Town Meeting. I think they should put it on hold, and build a NEW Town Hall.

I am all for restoration, and using historic facilities to our best advantage, but to restore, retrofit, refurbish both buildings that have minimal parking, and awkward access I feel would not be the best way to go.

Build a new building somewhere else in town, and use some money to stabilize the deterioration of the Center School and current town hall until they can be salvaged for other purposes at a later time.

A new building can be designed to fit into the character of our town, and overall the cost of building new may be less expensive than retrofitting old building in the long run.

One thing I don't want to see is a grand restoration, and a few years down the road we have out grown the space of the two older buildings. It will happen eventually.

Parking is another issue at the current town hall site and across the street at the Center school. The town does not own any of its parking behind the town hall, the Federated Church owns it. The parking across the street is minimal, and the only access to the few lots behind the Center School is on one side of the building.

I know that the intention is a good one. We don't want these two old building to fall further in to disrepair, and saving a part of our heritage is always a good thing, but I guess the pragmatic side of me is coming out. A modern, well designed new building located elsewhere in town on land that would supply ample parking would be ideal.

So, what to do with the other buildings? Put them in mothballs till the time and money is there to refurbish them and utilize them for other purposes.

I know, kinda late in the game to be expressing this opinion, but I feel better, and I hope the towns current plan works out well.

I can't wait to see the results.

I'm In Deep Snow

It's December 22nd, and I have yet to start my Christmas shopping.

I know. I'm a guy, and guys always wait to the last minute, but that isn't the real reason. I like to wait in order to be absolutely sure I have decided on the best gift. I get buyers remorse real bad, and I always think I could have bought more, too. Laziness is a self preservation thing in a way.

I don't have an issue with shopping late in the game. I know what I want, I go to where they have it, walk in, and buy it. That's it. Next.

I avoid malls at this time of year. I like to shop at the merchants in the area. I'll hit JC Penny, WalMart, some gift shops in town and in the neighboring towns, and if I need that one thing that nobody around town carries, then I take a deep breath, and drive off to Auburn, or Milbury.

It's a simple game plan. Wrapping is easy. I can knock off a boat load of gifts in no time flat. Same paper for all the gifts. Some tape, actually lots of tape, a name tag, maybe a bow, and Voila!, done.

Hiding them is always a problem. Mary has all the best places to hide stuff, and since I no longer have a car with a trunk, I can't very well stash them in the bed of the truck. I will hide them well, though, usually right under their noses.

So, it's shopping today, a haircut, and then work later in the day.

No problem.

[Insert loud, maniacal laugh here]

Help.

Time To Sit And Listen

Sometimes we need to call in the Pros.

We may have all the best intentions, work our gluteus maximus to the bone, and although we make some headway, we could really do it better, and faster with a little input from an expert. For a person to seek help from outside their circle of influence is a big thing. Number one, you can't be the least bit egocentric, mature enough to know your limits, and realize that seeing the same thing through another set of eyes has a way of opening up a lot of possibilities that would be otherwise overlooked.

Not many of us that fit that description.

One person does: Tom Chamberland.

Tom emailed me Thursday morning regarding my recent posting about town land, and what he shared with me is brilliant, and considering the source, it does not surprise me. Tom is a jack-of-all-trades around town. When he is not working for the Army Corps of Engineers as a Park Ranger, he is the towns Tree Warden, a Scout leader, an organizer and volunteer trail builder, writes a column in the local paper, and is the towns Veterans Agent. He does it all. In fact, I think he spayed my cats last summer, too.

Sometime in November, Tom attended a Trail Symposium and met a man named John Morton of Morton Trail, LLC, and shared what has been going on in Sturbridge regarding recent land acquisitions, and trail buildings. Tom also shared his vision for the trails in town. The following is from the Morton Trails web site.

"Founded by two-time Olympian John Morton, Morton Trails provides expert guidance in the planning, design, and construction of sport and recreational trail systems for cross country skiing, walking, running, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, equestrian and other outdoor activities. We also help landowners, state and local governments, developers, non-profits, and other organizations create sustainable, economically vibrant, active outdoor communities.
Our services include: (Click the bold links below.)

Trail planning
Trail design
Competitive venue design
Real estate and economic analysis
Construction oversight

Large or small, private or public, urban or rural, trails are now recognized as one of the most highly valued amenities for communities and property owners. On the following pages, you will find additional information about our work, how to contact us, and how we may be able to help you with your project."

"John Morton is the founder and a Principal of Morton Trails, involved in the design of over 100 trail projects across the United States and abroad. A seven-time Olympic participant, twice as an athlete for the US Biathlon Team and most recently as Chief of Course for Biathlon events at the Salt Lake City Olympics (2002), John began designing trails in 1989 after eleven years as head coach for the Dartmouth College Ski Team. He is a graduate of Middlebury College and served in the US Army in South Vietnam, released from active service at rank of Captain in 1972. In addition to remaining a competitive runner and skier, John is a frequent commentator on Vermont Public Radio and author of the novel Medal of Honor. He is a certified course homologation inspector for the FIS (International Ski Federation)."

Soon after the symposium, David Lindahl of Morton Trials followed up with Tom by email. He offered to help Tom out with the ideas he has had about the trails in town, and how to make the very most of them. Tom got right on it, and about a week and a half ago he forwarded his emailed conversations with Morton Trails off to some of the "movers and shakers" here in town, and ran his idea by them to have the folks from Morton Trails come into town:

"...there has been a lot of general discussion in the town on Ecotourism the work these people do may be something we may want to explore further. With the close proximity of Leadmine Mt , Heins farm lands to the Quinebaug river lands and partnering with OSV the potential of putting together a program that would be large enough and able to support itself is possible."

This could very well be the kick we need.

So far, Tom has heard back from some of the people he brought his proposal to, and is waiting on the rest. It's been just under a couple of weeks, but I am sure Tom will hear back from the others very soon. Just sitting down with those folks from the Conservation end of things, the town administrator, a rep from OSV, and others with a vested interest in the land to listen to the people from Morton Trails would be priceless.

This is a no brainer. Call in people with some experience and know how, and sit quietly and listen to what they have to say.

I'll be waiting to hear how it goes.

For more information go to mortontrails.com

If There Were 84 Cats Living In The Town Hall, I'd Understand

Every once in a while we read in the paper, or see on the evening , story about hoarding. Now, this isn't the hoarding one would normally expect, like buying three gallons of milk the day before a snow storm, but what is actually a neurosis. We've all heard a story about the "crazy cat lady" that has 84 cats living with her, or people that have gone into a the home of a person only to find it completely filled with stacks of newspapers, used gift wrap, QVC purchases, canned pineapple, and other bizarre mementos. This is called hoarding. People find a compulsion to collect random things that mean something to them, and to collect it till the day they die. Often times the collected items take over their home leaving only small passageways through rooms from the kitchen to the bathroom. The bed is usually covered with items so sleeping in it is out of the question. the couch or a soft chair in the living room becomes their nighttime getaway, if they can find it.

This kind of hoarding is an illness, and if not treated early, can fully control ones life. The reasons given for such behavior range from "I just like cats.", to "I don't ever want to be caught short of canned pineapple." to "I want to finish reading that issue of Life magazine."

I saw a program on TV where a middle aged man collected all sorts of stuff he found at the curb on trash day. He'd bring his treasures home and store them in his garage, basement, and under one of the dozens of tarps in his yard.

"I could use this thing someday." It's too good to just throw away."

By spending time with the man, listening to him, and understanding just how much the behavior controlled him, the producers of the show, with the help of professionals, were able to begin the long process of desensitizing him tho his compulsion, and begin the separation process between him and his treasures before his wife left him.

Hoarding things for an emergency can be fine, if it s batteries for a flashlight for the "Storm Box", or bottled water for an emergency, but this isn't actually hording, but rather just stocking up.

Towns can hoard, too.

Towns can buy up a lot of land with the intent of preserving it from development, and keeping the town from being overbuilt. They will promote the recreational activities the land could support, and eventually, the towns people will concur, and vote to make the purchase.

Heck, sounds good.

Then another parcel comes up for sale, and the town grabs that one as well having done nothing with the first piece of land. This can go on for years. Each time another parcel, more promises of what it could be used for like ball fields, canoe launches, nature trails, and picnic groves, and nothing is ever done.

Volunteers finally step up, and organize. They plan out a trail system, get contractors to volunteer time, equipment, and materials, and rely on a crew of loyal towns people to volunteer their labor.

The town, in the meantime, looks for an appropriate logo to put on some signs at the entrance to the land.

When a town announces plans to purchase a property, and offers all sorts of plans for it, those plans should be part of the article entered into the town warrant for the purchase of the land along with the cost. Just putting in an article for the purchase of the land for a certain amount does not guarantee anything will ever be done with the property, in fact, the town could change the proposed use of the land to suit its needs at any time.

Hoarding of land by towns, just for the sake of hoarding, and then letting them sit does little for the town, except cost it money.

So, of course, I've been thinking. From now on if the town proposes to purchase land for a particular purpose it must be first proposed by an elected board. Call it the Land Acquisition Board. Now, when word is on the street that a particular parcel is up for sale, and the town is interested in it, the boards job will be:

• Have a definite purpose for the land that will be beneficial to those living in town.
• Develop, and institute a viable plan for that purpose for immediately after purchase, two years out, five years out, and beyond that.
• Research costs, and include them in the proposal.
• Develop a manner in which the costs will be covered beyond taxes. This would include membership fee's, grants, State and Federal money.
• Allow for input from the resident in town as to just how the land should be used. Allow for a variety of ideas beyond the original scope, and tailor the final plan to be as beneficial to as many in town as possible.
• And, finally, how will the town recover its original costs? Or will it? This must be included in the original plan.

Without a plan, or a defined purpose the buying of land because it is there is akin to the old man and his 37 Dachshunds living in his single wide trailer.

Recently, some folks in town offered some plans for the Leadmine Property. It was nice to see. The land is the site of the very first co-ed summer camp in the nation. A part of Sturbridge history, of course, but a part of our nations history as well. Something should be done to make note of this. A bronze plaque on a large stone would be great. Of course that is like giving a dozen roses to ones wife. You give the roses, but the vase is too small, so you get a new one, and the table in not the best place to put it, so you buy a new table cloth, but it makes the walls look drab, so you repaint the room, only to find the curtains look dated, so new curtains, paint, tablecloth, and vase later the roses finally get placed in the center of the table.

By then, the petals begin to fall off the roses.

Placing a monument to Camp Robinson Crusoe is a great idea, but as announced at the meeting, there is a lot of housekeeping to do in the area beyond the building of trails. Much like placing a dozen roses in the middle of a thicket. It takes vision to see beyond the purchase and sales agreement. Town officials, if lacking vision, should rely on those that have it.

Like the middle aged hoarder of stuff that TV producers brought in professionals to help, the town needs help, and they will refuse a lot of it because they are "fine". It's gonna take some tough love, but in the end, things will be so much better for everyone.

Listen to those that have a vision, and if they offer a way to make it happen, listen harder. Then, when all is said and done, make it happen.

And It's Only The Begining of the Season

Here in Sturbridge we escaped much of the wrath of the recent ice storm that paralyzed much of Worcester County and beyond. Just a couple of miles east of us on the Mass Pike there are broken trees on the side of the highway in Charlton. The damage is far worse north and east of us.

Mary headed out early that day to go to work in the heart of the damage. Her boss called the house looking for her, and she spoke to her from her car just as she was heading north up I-190. Her boss told her that nobody else from their department was able to come in that day, things were in Emergency mode, and she would be the only one there from her department. She told her that she should turn around and go back home.

Woohoo! An ice day!!

So, after crawling, white knuckled to where she was, north of Worcester, she found an open exit ramp, and turned around towards home. One of the amazing things about Mary is that she is not only dedicated to her job, but brave as all get out. That drive must have been one nerve wracking ride. She called me on her way and described the damage she was seeing on the side of the road. It would be a long time before the damage was cleaned up, and power restored to everyone.

On Sunday evening, on my way down the Pike towards work in Boston, there was a caravan of out of state utility trucks from Indiana heading east. I know National Grid heads out of state to help others in a disaster, but it is always nice to see the mutual help when it is our turn, and they came from all over.

In Fiskdale, all we got was a lot of rain. 4 inches or so, I'd estimate. The stream behind the house was gushing from the culvert under my neighbors driveway, and the stream itself grew 25 feet across. The following morning, the splashing of the water from the culvert exposed the frozen artwork that had occurred overnight. As pretty, and fragile as it was, it was a reminder of just how bad things were just a few miles away from here.

Most of us here in town were spared during this last kiss from Nature, but the winter hasn't even officially begun, and there will be other storms, more ice, and more snow to come.

I can't wait.