Open Space Committee
Meeting Schedule: Fourth Monday of each month, 7 pm in Shelburne Town Hall , unless otherwise posted.
Next 5 meetings:
- Mon, Sep 25 at 7:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Oct 23 at 7:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Nov 27 at 7:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Dec 25 at 7:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Jan 22 at 7:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
Members
13 of 14 seats. 3 years each seat.
- Norman Beebe, Recreation Committee Representative.
- John Wheeler, Planning Board Representative.
- James Boehmer, Agricultural Commission Representative.
- David Schochet. 2024.
- Joan LaPierre. 2024.
- Nina Talayco. 2024.
- Larry Flaccus. 2025.
- Laurie Wheeler. 2025.
- Peggy Warwick. 2025.
- Jim Perry. 2026.
- Joel Dwight. 2026.
- Garth LaPointe. June, 2026.
- Thor Holbek. resigned.
- VACANT
Who we are
The Open Space Committee is an advisory body that was established by Town Meeting in May, 2005 to carry forward the recommendations of the Shelburne Open Space and Recreation plan . The Committee includes members appointed by the Selectboard for 3-year terms, and a representative appointed for one-year terms from each of the Agricultural Commission, Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Recreation Committee.
The Committee works with the Selectboard, Town Boards, other local, regional and state officials, regional farm and conservation advocacy organizations, members of the business community, landowners, farmers, and citizens on issues relative to open space preservation in Shelburne.
What is Open Space?
"Open space" is land that is undeveloped, generally without paved roads or permanent structures, and shall include, but not be limited to, land to protect existing and future well fields, aquifers and recharge areas, watershed land, agricultural land, grasslands, fields, forest land, fresh water marshes and other wetlands, river, stream, lake and pond frontage, lands to protect scenic vistas, land for wildlife or nature preserve and land for active or passive recreational use such as the use of land for community gardens, trails, and noncommercial youth and adult sports, and the use of land as a park, playground or athletic field.
What we do
The Open Space Committee carries out the action plan mandated by the Town through the Open Space and Recreation Plan adopted in 2004 and updated in 2014 by the Town. Activities include:
- Working to ensure that Shelburne sustains its small town environment characterized by general peace and quiet, clean air and water, safety from crime and vandalism, and maintains its rural character outside of Shelburne Falls while supporting infrastructure of the village;
- Working to ensure that Shelburne maintains or improves the quality of its air, drinking water, streams and other surfaces waters including the Deerfield River, and maintains and improves the quality of farm and forestlands, scenic views, and wildlife habitat through the conservation of locally important natural and open space resources;
- Working to ensure that Shelburne maintains and improves the quality and accessibility of all its recreational facilities and programming.
Open Space and Recreation Plan
See below for the sections of the Shelburne Open Space and Recreation Plan adopted in 2014.
- Table of Contents: Section_01-Table_of_Contents.pdf
- Introduction: Section_02-Introduction
- Community Setting: Section_03-Commuity_Setting
- Environmental Inventory and Analysis: Section_04-Environmental_Inventory_and_Analysis
- Inventory of Lands of Conservation and Recreational Interest: Section_05-Inventory_of_Lands_of_Interest
- Community Goals: Section_06-Community_Goals
- Analysis of Needs: Section_07-Analysis_of_Needs
- Goals and Objectives: Section_08-Goals_and_Objectives
- Seven Year Action Plan: Section_09-Seven_Year_Action_Plan
- Public Comments: Section_10-Public_Comments
Mapping Resources
In conjunction with the Franklin Regional Council of Goventments, the Open Space Committee has assembled a number of maps showing various aspects of land use in the town. Most of these come from the 2014 Open Space Plan, and they reflect data from that date. Below are files of maps which may be downloaded and printed at 11x17 size. Note: these maps are not to be used for legal purposes. Full-size maps are avaiable in the Town Office for the public to view.
- Zoning Map (2008): 2008 Zoning Map
- Regional Context Map: Regional Context Map
- Cultural Inventory Map: Cultural Inventory Map
- Map of Existing Farms and Agricultural Resources:Map of Farms and Agricultural Resources
- Natural Resources Inventory Map: Natural Resources Inventory
- Developable Soils and Development Constraints Map: Developable Soils Map
- Land Use Suitability Map: Land Use Suitability Map
- Protected Open Space Map: Protected Open Space Map
- Protected Open Space Map with parcel lines shown: Protected Open Space Map showing parcel lines
- Seven Year Action Plan Map: Seven Year Action Plan Map 2014-2021
Hiking and Walking in Shelburne
There are many great hikes and walks in and around Shelburne. The Open Space Committee, in conjunction with the Recreation Committee, has developed and maintains trails both in the Village and in the wooded areas of town, including those on Massaemett Mountain, the Fire Tower, Wilcox Hollow and the Wooded Loop. Download and print the maps below, or pick up copies in the Visitor Information Center or Town Office.
- Village walk covering interesting trees, historical buildings and places of note: Village Walking Tour
- Hiking Trails in and around Shelburne for all abilities: Shelburne Hiking Trails
- Easy walking trails demonstrating forest management: Wooded Loop Trails
- Mohican-Mohawk Trail - Franklin Land Trust Trailhead: Mohican-Mohawk Trail - FLT
- Stone Fire Tower Trail Map Stone Fire Tower Trail Map
- Mohican-Mohawk Trail (Shelburne sections) Mohican-Mohawk Trail Shelburne Section
- Mass Audubon High Ledges Map 2022 High Ledges Map
Invasive Species - Identification and Management
Invasive plants and insects can destroy local and regional ecosystems, including their suitability as wildlife habitat. Learn how you can identify and control invasive species on your property.
- Invasive Plant & Insect Species - Brochure Invasives Brochure
Links to Land Planning Websites
Chapter 61
- Shelburne Chapter 61 Lands Policy Chapter 61 Review Procedures
- 2007 Changes to Chapter 61 – Fact Sheet (pdf-44kb)
- Chapter 61: Taxation of Forest Land: www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/61-1.htm
- Chapter 61A: Taxation of Agricultural Land: www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/61a-1.htm
- Chapter 61B: Taxation of Recreational Land: www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/61b-1.htm
Community Preservation Act
- Chapter 44b: Community Preservation Act: www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/44b-1.htm
Conservation restrictions
- Information on Conservation restrictions:www.mass.gov/envir/dcs/restrictions/default.htm
- Massachusetts Reference Manual on Conservation Restrictions:www.mass.gov/envir/dcs/pdf/restrictions.pdf
- Land Conservation Options:http://masswoods.net/future-my-land/land-conservation-options
Land conservation and estate planning tools
- Deciding the Future of My Land:http://masswoods.net/future-my-land
- Keystone Forestry Management Program:http://masskeystone.net/
Area Land Trusts
- Franklin Land Trust: Franklin Land Trust
- Hilltown Land Trust: Hilltown Land Trust
- Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust: Mt. Grace Land Trust
- Kestrel Land Trust: Kestrel Land Trust
Mapping tools
- ACORN Cooperative Resource Network:http://www.massacorn.net/
- Conservation Assessment and Prioritization System: CAPS tools
Previous meetings:
- Mon, Aug 28, 2023 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Jul 24, 2023 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Jun 26, 2023 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Tue, May 30, 2023 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84948567505?pwd=WmMyNmx3MEVwNUZaM3NhcmVFNkJvZz09 or dial +1 646 558 8656 and enter Meeting ID: 849 4856 7505 and Passcode: 898109
- Mon, Apr 24, 2023 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Mar 27, 2023 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Feb 27, 2023 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Jan 23, 2023 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom meeting. To Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or Dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
- Mon, Nov 28, 2022 at 07:00 PM -- Zoom meeting. To Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or Dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
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Open Space and Recreation Plan 2023
Open Space and Recreation Plan 2014
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 01-Table of Contents.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 02-Introduction.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 03-Commuity Setting.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 04-Environmental Inventory and Analysis.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 05-Inventory of Lands of Interest.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 06-Community Goals.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 07-Analysis of Needs.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 08-Goals and Objectives.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 09-Seven Year Action Plan.pdf
- 2014 Open Space Plan Section 10-Public Comments.pdf
- SurveySummary 03272013.pdf
Open Space Reports
- Chap 61 Review Procedure.pdf
- Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership Implementation Grant Application FY21.pdf
- Guntlow survey C1 ShelburneTrail 8-11-21.pdf
- Guntlow survey C2 ShelburneTrailDetails 8-11-21.pdf
- Guntlow Geotechnical Surveyail PH1 report complete.pdf
- Timber and Stone MM Report Mohawk Trail Design 2019.pdf
- forest mtwp town grant final BID march 13 2020.docx (View on Calendar)
- Guntlow proposal MahicanMohawkTrail.pdf (View on Calendar)
Open Space Committee Annual Reports
- 2022 Open Space annual report2.pdf
- 2021 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2020 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2019 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2018 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2017 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2016 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2015 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2014 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2013 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2012 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2011 Open Space annual report.pdf
- 2006 Open Space annual report.pdf
Open Space Committee Meeting Agendas
Open Space Committee Meeting Minutes
Open Space Maps
- C1 ShelburneTrail 6-8-21.pdf (View on Calendar)
- C2 ShelburneTrailDetails 6-8-21.pdf (View on Calendar)
- Cultural Inventory map.pdf
- Developable soils map.pdf
- Farms and Agricultural Resources Map.pdf
- Invasives Brochure - Shelburne Open Space 2pp 2021-04-19.pdf
- Land Use Suitability Map.pdf
- MA HighLedgesmap color Aug 2022.pdf
- Mohican-Mohawk TR - FLT Trailhead.pdf
- Mohican Mohawk Trail Map sm.pdf
- Natural resources Inventory Map.pdf
- Protected Open Space Map.pdf
- Protected Open Space Parcel map.pdf
- Regional context map.pdf
- Seven year Action Plan map.pdf
- Shelburne Hiking Trails Brochure.pdf
- Tower Trail Brochure and Map.pdf
- Walking Tour Brochure.pdf
- Wooded Loop Trail Brochure with Map.pdf
- Zoning Map 2008.pdf