Tuesday, March 26, 2013
That was a question discussed during the Last Oak Hill Committee Meeting ever earlier this month. Today, we want your take.
Much has been said over the past few years about Oak Hill, and the Committee put together to study the North Chelmsford property set aside for open space has adjourned for the last time. We were there during their last meeting and donated the Flipcam video of the proceedings to Telemedia. However, there was one part in particular that got our attention: was the Committee itself worth it? We've taken the excerpt from that part of the meeting here, do you agree with the sentiments said here? Do you have another opinion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Oak Hill Study Committee issues formal statement in response to allegations made by Selectman Candidate Roland Van Liew
What was meant to be a focused on finalization of recommendations for the Oak Hill property to the Board of Selectmen took a very different path during Monday night's Oak Hill Study Committee meeting. Controversy over allegations made against Oak Hill Study Committee member Phil Stanway leading up to last night’s committee meeting resulted in a formal statement that dominated proceedings surrounding allegations by Selectman candidate and BOS critic Roland Van Liew that Stanway was interested in creating a deal for selective logging of valuable hardwood at Oak Hill, supposedly in order to create revenue for the town. “The allegation made on Friday by Mr. Roland Van Liew stating that one of the Oak Hill Study Committee members was involved …
Monday, January 14, 2013
An e-mail exchange between Roland Van Liew and Phil Stanway has created a buzz on the In-Town Report over the past few days.
Tonight the Oak Hill Study Committee will meet at Town Hall to discuss a final report on recommendations for the Board of Selectmen on the parcel of land, but most of the talk on Oak Hill recently has been on a different subject. Late last week, Roland Van Liew contacted Oak Hill Committee and Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship member Phil Stanway in regard to possible selective logging on the site. Stanway referred Van Liew to Oak Hill Committee chair Susan Carter, with Van Liew responding again asking him specifically on the subject and also copying the exchange on the Better, Not Bigger website along with his views on the subject and allegations of impropriety. “The proper protocol is to answer questions and respond to residents when …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The committee's recommendations request and ask for further conservation of the parcel in North Chelmsford.
The Chelmsford In-Town Report is reporting that the Oak Hill Study Committee has presented its final recommendations to the town following its meeting on Wednesday night. Overall, the plan recommends and requests further conservation of the land, with a vote pending at the next Town Meeting to transfer the parcel into "Open Space for conservation purposes" status and transfering oversight of the property from the Board of Selectmen to the Conservation Commission. The committee also requests that a new committee be formed for developing, funding, and executing a site plan for the Oak Hill parcel.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Conservation Commission, Boy Scouts, other groups vie for land use.
The Oak Hill Study Committee met last night to discuss the future of Oak Hill—a 66-acre parcel owned by the Town of Chelmsford. Oak Hill is located in North Chelmsford near the current Deep Brook conservation land. The needs for Chelmsford have run the gamut: from the site of a solar park, to space for a dog park, or even simple conservation land. During the meeting, the committee read into the record a letter from Chelmsford Housing Authority that said they had no plans for developing Oak Hill into affordable Housing. That letter can be read as a PDF to the right. The committee saw presentations from several individuals during their meeting in support of various uses for Oak Hill. Ken Dews spoke before the commission to petition for the …
42.598193
-71.347102
50 Billerica Rd, Chelmsford, MA
/articles/oak-hill-study-commission-hears-advocates-for-land-use
/locations/7093675
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Here are five things you missed from last night's Board of Selectmen meeting.
Couldn't catch last night's Board of Selectmen meeting? No worries - we've got you covered. Here are five things you missed. 1. Oak Hill Study Committee. Selectmen discussed whether the committee should be comprised of representative from each major town board and committee and how many resident representatives will be on the board. Selectman Jim Lane suggested a committee of nine members, with possibly one representative from the Conservation Commission, one from the Planning Board, one from the Historical Commission and one from the Affordable Housing Committee. Five other resident and/or Town Meeting representatives could make up the rest. Town Manager Paul Cohen said he will send notices out to gauge interest and anyone interested in …
Friday, October 21, 2011
An article to move Oak Hill into conservation was voted down.
After a lengthy debate, Town Meeting Thursday night voted down an article that would have moved Oak Hill into conservation land and instead approved an article to do a study on the land. Oak Hill is a 66-acre parcel in North Chelmsford. Town officials said they need to know more about the land - whether or not it's buildable and if suitable pedestrian and vehicle access could be put in - before a decision is made to move it into conservation. Oak Hill had been eyed by the Affordable Housing Plan as a potential spot for affordable housing. At Town Meeting, Conservation Commission Chairman David McLachlan said Oak Hill was the top priority for the board to secure as conservation land. McLachland said 23 percent of the town is open space. His…
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A letter from Andrea Morgan.
- OPINION
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Thursday, October 13, 2011
Dear Town Meeting Representative, I am asking you to carefully consider protecting and preserving the little open space we have left in town. The parcel of land at Oak Hill is a wonderful piece of woodlands that my husband and I have gone to often, in all seasons. Whether we strap on snowshoes or simply meander around, the area is a serene place to go within our town that affords us the "feel of living in the country". There is so little left of the woods that I was fortunate to grow up in within the town limits now. We do not have children, so our reason for staying in this town is not the benefit of the great school system. It is because of the lifestyle we are able to have in this community which encompasses the best of suburban …
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Selectmen voted to recommend the Town Meeting warrant article for a study.
Selectmen last night voted to recommend an article appropriating about $15,000 for a study of the 66-acre Oak Hill property. Selectmen also recommended against a citizen's petition to turn the Oak Hill property over to the Conservation Commission. The town owns the parcel and it has been sitting vacant for a number of years. Town Meeting must approve any changes to the land. George Merrill told selectmen he supports turning the land to conservation and asked selectmen not to take a position on the articles to "level the playing field." Selectmen decided to vote their opinion anyway. "By putting article 22 before article 23 you put my article, which has 330 signatures, at a disadvantage because you’re spending money and we’re turning it …
42.636565
-71.397696
23 Swain Rd, North Chelmsford, MA
/articles/selectmen-recommend-oak-hill-study
/locations/5460867
Sunday, September 25, 2011
What should be done with the land, if anything?
- NEWS
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Sunday, September 25, 2011
Welcome to Question of the Week, a column which asks you, Patch readers, a question about anything at all. Please answer the question in the comments. As always, first and last names are required on Patch and only comments with first and last names in the user name will be allowed. Town Meeting Reps on Oct. 17 will decide whether to turn over the 66-acre parcel known as Oak Hill and designate it as conservation land. Reps will also be asked if the town should pay for a study of the land, which could determine its use for open recreation or even affordable housing. What do you think? Do you support turning the land over to the Conservation Comission, or do you support the study? Why or why not?
Phil stanway
12:55 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
I just have confirmation that Scotty Hollow will allow us to park on part of their property and access Oak Hill from that point for the second part of the walk (2 ish). This will mean we will not have to cross the stream (where the bridge might go) and access it direct. A much better option and thanks to Scotty Hollow for allowing this one time access. Oak Hill is locked by private land on all … more ›