Shelburne MA Town Seal

Massachusetts

Shelburne

Town of Shelburne
51 Bridge Street
Shelburne, MA 01370
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Open Space Committee

Meeting Schedule: Fourth Monday of each month, 7 pm in Shelburne Town Hall , unless otherwise posted.

Next meeting:

  • Tue, Dec 20 at 7:00 PM -- Zoom meeting. To Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or Dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID: 851 4690 4678

Members

10 of 14 seats. 3 years each seat.

  • Norman Beebe, Recreation Committee Representative.
  • John Wheeler, Planning Board Representative.
  • James Boehmer, Agricultural Commission Representative.
  • Jim Perry. 2023.
  • Joel Dwight. 2023.
  • David Schochet. 2024.
  • Thor Holbek. 2024.
  • Larry Flaccus. 2025.
  • Laurie Wheeler. 2025.
  • Peggy Warwick. 2025.
  • VACANT
  • VACANT
  • VACANT
  • 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.

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.

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.

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.

Links to Land Planning Websites

Chapter 61

Community Preservation Act

Conservation restrictions

Land conservation and estate planning tools

Area Land Trusts

Mapping tools

Previous meetings:

  • 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
  • Mon, Oct 24, 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, Sep 26, 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, Aug 22, 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, Jul 25, 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, Jun 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, May 23, 2022 at 07:00 PM -- Zoon meeting. To Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or Dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
  • Mon, Apr 25, 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, Mar 28, 2022 at 07:00 PM -- zoom meting. To Join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146904678 or Dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID: 851 4690 4678
  • Mon, Feb 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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