BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AT MOREHOUSE IDEA CAME FIRST: 
MOREHOUSE FARM PARK PLUS FIELDS ON SCHOOL ROAD;  TREE ISSUE; AND ELSEWHERE IN CONNECTICUT...GREENWICH


Performing Arts Center the light brown extension on the Middle School (building to the far left)
MOREHOUSE FARM PARK/SCHOOL ROAD TREES: as shown in Referendum (#1); Tree Warden hearing (see below for notice and decision).  NOTE:  "About Town" has not attended Conservation Commission meetings with any regularity, so we will not make comment on that section of the massive town-school project in the future.  Photo #2 is late summer high school construction, post tree removals, and photo #3 &#4 shows property map and Heady House, end of summer vacation '04.


Read about Weston's version of "MISA" - we called it...
"Performing and Creative Arts Center (PCAC)" and it was to be constructed in our school complex attached to the Middle School.  Part of the nearly $80 million bond issue, this idea never came to fruition as funds were not sufficient;  instead, the Public Private Partnership between the Town of Weston and the WestonArts community volunteers raised needed funds for redoing the wonderful Weston High School auditorium, instead (modernizing the production equipment and backstage spaces, replacing seats, new lighting...other arts improvements to the high school were already part of the Referendum)


Greenwich trees to go down posted.  That town is just beginning a tree slaughter for school construction.  Weston previous experience here.  Story of  Weston Performing Arts Center Design Competition here.

Tree warden ruling presents new challenge for MISA
Greenwich TIME
Julie Ruth, Staff Writer
Updated 04:29 p.m., Friday, May 27, 2011

The Board of Education must fulfill four specific conditions before 121 trees can be removed from the Greenwich High School property to make way for the school's music instruction space and auditorium renovation project, the town's tree warden ruled Friday afternoon.

"My decision is not to remove these 121 trees UNLESS the Board of Education agrees to a binding agreement which requires that the following stipulations and conditions are met," Tree Warden Bruce Spaman wrote.

The four stipulations are:

- The 121 trees cut down must be replaced by 180 trees of specific species must be replaced for the 121 earmarked for removal for the project known as MISA, slated to begin construction July 1. The conditions for the replacement trees are: 120 will be native deciduous tree species 3-4 inches in caliper measure; 60 may be native and/or non-native naturalized, non-invasive conifer and deciduous tree species 2-3 inches in caliper measure or equivalent; and the trees must be planted from Sept. 1, 2011, to July 1, 2012.

- There must be enhancements to the project's planned "tree islands" to support the health and longevity of the trees.

- Timber from removed trees be reserved for the possible use of GHS technology and art classes and/or for use by local artisans and woodworkers.

- The project's general contractor must guarantee replacement of newly planted trees that may die within three years or those trees that are in poor condition at the end of the three-year period.

The stipulations and conditions will be included on the record plans filed with the Planning and Zoning office at Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road, Spaman wrote.

Friday's decision came after a resident objected two weeks ago to Spaman's announcement that the MISA project, which earlier this month secured $17 million for its first phase during the Representative Town Meeting's vote on the town budget, would require 121 trees for removal on its campus. By law, a town cannot remove trees without the approval of the tree warden. The warden is required to call a hearing if a resident objects within 10 days after notices are posted on trees.

Acknowledging that the decision poses another hurdle for the MISA project, Spaman said the town's policy for tree review to occur last needs to change.

"...the fact that the public hearing and the Tree Warden's decision for the trees on the GHS MISA project posed the final hurdle for this project is out of sequence and needs to change," he wrote. "Tree posting and public hearings for trees should be properly placed in the planning and approval process and not in an `all or nothing' position as the last judgment as to whether a project begins or dies."

Spaman added that a policy is needed that requires trees involved in public or private construction projects to be posted before the Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands & Watercourses commissions have given their final approvals.

"Only with such a policy in place can rational and realistic decisions be made on the removal of trees after all reasonable and possible strategies have been investigated," Spaman wrote.

At a public hearing on the tree removal May 24, the Greenwich Tree Conservancy advanced a plan to save about two dozen mature trees on the south end of the high school near the Black Box Theater.

The trees Spaman earmarked for removal are spread across the Greenwich High School property, with some near the school building and others located in two sections along Hillside Road. One area that would be affected under the plan is at the north end of the school's property, while the second is on the south end.

There are 32 types of trees among the 121 posted. Six species -- elm, holly, katsura and kousa dogwood, spruce, and white cedar -- have only one tree each, while Norway maple trees are the most numerous at 25. The only other species to reach double digits among the group is red maple, Spaman said.

Most of the trees appear to be relatively recent plantings, although Spaman said he doesn't know their age. However, some have been there for decades. The tallest ones stand as high as 80 feet.

Spaman said an appeal to his decision may be made within 10 days at state Superior Court in Stamford or the local judicial district.
More than 100 trees face the axe after MISA vote
Frank MacEachern, Greenwich TIME Staff Writer
Updated 10:44 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2011

The Greenwich High School expansion project overcame one hurdle when the Representative Town Meeting backed the project Monday night during the town's budget vote.

Now the Music Instruction Space and Auditorium project, known as MISA, has another challenge to face: trees.

A total of 121 trees are slated to be cut down as part of the project. This week, town Tree Warden Bruce Spaman called a hearing on the issue after a town resident objected to their removal.

The trees are spread across the Greenwich High School property, with some near the school building and others located in two sections along Hillside Road. One area that would be affected under the plan is at the north end of the school's property, while the second is on the south end.

Spaman posted the trees with notices of the planned removal on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the RTM vote approving the project.

"I waited until after the vote in order to post them. I don't see the reason to post them before not knowing if the project received a green light or not," he said.

Most of the trees appear to be relatively recent plantings, although Spaman said he doesn't know their age. However, some have been there for decades. The tallest ones are as high as 80 feet, he said.

JoAnn Messina, executive director of the nonprofit Greenwich Tree Conservancy, said the group hasn't taken a position on the issue.

"I am in favor of the project personally, but the tree conservancy hasn't taken a position on it yet," Messina said.

The item will be on the group's agenda when it meets Wednesday, she said.

Although the conservancy hasn't yet adopted a position on the trees that would be affected by the new auditorium's construction, in general the group doesn't like to see mature trees cut down, Messina said.

There are 32 types of trees among the 121 posted. Six species -- Elm, Holly, Katsura and Kousa dogwood, spruce, and white cedar -- are only represented in the group by a single tree, while Norway Maple trees are the most numerous at 25. The only other species to reach double digits among the group is red maple, Spaman said.

The hearing will be held Tuesday at noon in the Town Hall Meeting Room.

The most recent hearing Spaman held was April 20, when the warden ruled eight oak trees along Sound Beach Avenue in the Old Greenwich business district should stay. Local retailers wanted to see them replaced, but they faced stiff opposition from local residents who objected to their removal.



SEPTEMBER 2004 - BUT IN 2010, WOMEN'S SOFTBALL WAS BOUNCED BACK TO THE REPAIRED HURLBUTT AND ONION BARN FIELDS IN THE CENTER OF TOWN (ABOVE)
Any dry day now play will begin at Morehouse Farm Park all-weather field (soccer).  Heady House in picture at right above top - note how road takes sharp turn to the right and progresses uphill to the sight of new playing fields (where once there was, according to reports, just fields and a dropdead gorgeous view of the Saugatuck Reservoir and beyond).  There will be viewing area at the "overlook" according to plans developed by Parks&Rec, we think.



After the decision: 
This is what happened.  First, the big and older trees came down (l);  then new trees were planted at the parking lot side, and some, a few, survived,
TREE HEARING - SCHOOLS CAMPUS
Posted October 27, 2003 was this legal notice:
"Notice is hereby given that a Tree Hearing has been scheduled to be held in Weston Town Hall on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 2pm.  The Tree Hearing, being held on written request, is in regards to trees posted for removal on the Weston Schools Campus."

Frederick Moore
Tree Warden
Town of Weston


Legal Notice
"Notice is hereby given by the Weston Tree Warden that the trees on the Weston School Campus have been posted for removal.  It is necessary to remove these trees for various construction projects on the campus.  Per CT General Statutes, Chapter 451, Sec. 23-59, 'If any person, firm or corporation objects to such removal or pruning, such person, firm or corporation may appeal to the tree warden in writing, who shall hold a public hearing at some suitable time.'  The Tree Warden shall have three (3) days to render his/her decision.  Anyone wishing to appeal the decision of the Tree Warden will have ten days to file an appeal with Superior Court.

"Persons may visit the Fire Marshall's Office to review the planned removal of said trees.  A plan is on our front table and we will be glad to help orient you on the project."

Signed:

Frederick Moore
Tree Warden
Town of Weston



TREE HEARING DECISION:

Posted September 25, 2003 at 3pm...not being enforced, as it is reported that the decision is being appealed.

"Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 451, Sec. 23-59, a Public Tree Hearing was convened on September 22, 2003 regarding 15 Kousa Dogwood trees on School Road.  The decision is that 15 Kousa Dogwood trees along School Road are NOT to be cut.

Frederick J. Moore
Tree Warden

And also...

"Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 451, Sec. 23-59, a public Tree Hearing was convened on September 22, 2003 regarding tree removal in Bisceglie-Scribner Park.  The trees in Bisceglie-Scribner Park, being part of the "Weston Town Improvement Plan - Schools and Parks" , adopted by referendum vote on November 15, 2001, are to be removed.

Frederick J. Moore
Tree Warden

TREE HEARING NOTICE

Posted September 15, 2003 at 11:05am...Tree Hearing:

Notice is hereby given that a Tree Hearing will be convened on Monday, September 22, 2003 at 1pm in the Town Hall Meeting Room.  The agenda will include the following issues:

  1. Kousa Dogwood trees on School Road
  2. Proposed tree removal at Bisceglie-Scribner Park.


Frederick J. Moore
Town of Weston
Tree Warden

SCHOOL ROAD TREES
"On Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at 10am a Tree Hearing will take place in the Weston Town Hall"...trees at the perimeter of the soccer/lacrosse field at the Weston High School.  Posted in the afternoon was the following:

A Tree Hearing was held in Town Hall on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at 10am per the request of Mr. William J. McDonough.  Testimony as to the necessity to remove and/or prune trees abutting the perimeter of ther soccer/lacrosse field has been heard.  A decision has been rendered.  It is the decision of the Tree Warden, Fred Moor, that for the safety of those using the field and for the installation, care and upkeep of the field that the posted trees are to be removed or pruned as seen fit by a licensed orborist.
(A copy of this Notice is being mailed to Mr. William J. McDonough via certified mail, return receipt requested.  Mr. McDonough who requested the Hearing, was not present.)

Town of Weston
Tree Warden
Frederick J. Moore



Morehouse Farm Park
A PUBLIC HEARING on the subject of tree removal on Morehouse Farm Park was held Monday, May 5, 2003 at 3pm;  the following NOTICE of decision was posted in the Town Clerk's Office May 6, 2003 at 4:20pm:

"A Hearing in the Town Hall was held May 5, 2003 at 3pm regarding the removal of trees at Morehouse Farm Park.  After considering the testimony of the participants and weghing the benefits of the proposed playing fields for the children of Weston now and in the future, I have decided that the trees shall be removed thus allowing the Morehouse Farm Park project to continue.

"Frederick J. Moore
Weston Tree Warden
CT Lic. #6-1588"


In a letter dated April 22, 2003, as posted in the Town Clerk's Office at 12:55pm...
Legal Notice to the Westport NEWS and Norwalk HOUR and Weston FORUM:

TREE WARDEN NOTICE
Notice is hereby given by the Weston Tree Warden that trees within a certain marked area at the Morehouse Property on Newtown Turnpike, Rt. 53 are to be removed.  Ten days from this date (April 22, 2003) work will begin removing these trees.

Signed: Frederick Moore
Weston Tree Warden
CT. Lic. #6-1588

"In accordance with Chapter 451, Section 23-59 of the Connecticut General Statutes, providing for the care and control of Public Trees, notice is hereby given that these trees will be removed ten (10) days or more following posting of this notice.

"Any person, firm, or corporation objecting to such removal, may appeal within ten (10) days of posting to the Tree Warden in writing, who shall then hold a public hearing at some suitable time and place.

"Posted this 14th day of March, 2003 - Weston Tree Warden CT Lic. 6-1588."

TOWN OF WESTON
Town Hall
56 Norfield Road
Weston, CT 06883


BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, U.S.A.

Fire hall rent slows Boys and Girls Club
Whidbey News-Times,  WASHINGTON STATE
By Erianne Bingham
Aug 20 2005

It may take a bit longer than expected to establish a Boys and Girls Club in Coupeville.

The facility which project organizers have in mind is the old firehouse on Main Street in Coupeville. In order to obtain this building, a lease agreement must be met between the project organizers and the Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue commmissioners.  In a Fire Commissioners’ meeting on Aug 11, the proposed lease of $230 was rejected and then renegotiated up to $367 a month by the commissioners and their attorney.
In order to comply with their building permit as well as costs to maintain the facility, the rent was hiked.

The original cost proposed for the rent was $100 a month but then climbed to $230 and has finally rested on $367 a month on a five-year lease. Since the Boys and Girls Club must raise the money to pay the rent, the price is a bit hard to swallow. Coupeville resident Sue Roundy heads the leadership group for the project.

“I don’t like the price that is on the table right now. Our contact with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish does not like the price either. It is just a lot of money for us to raise, especially since it does not include the price of the utilities for the building. We all really want this to work but the rent is holding us back,” Roundy said.
 
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is sponsoring the establishment of a club in Coupeville. The lease has to be approved by them as well due to legal liability.  According to Cheryl Engel, chair of the Central Whidbey Fire District board, the cost of the building rent is in direct relation to the auditor. In order to comply with state regulations regarding the use of public facilities. Because the building is paid for by taxpayers, the rent has to be high enough satisfy the state auditor.
 
“We all want the Boys and Girls Club to be able to rent the building, but we have make sure that we do it legally. We agonized over the decision but in order to satisfy the requirements brought out by the auditor, the rent is set at what would be acceptable to them,” Engel said.
 
Both the Central Whidbey Fire commissioners and the Boys and Girls Club of Coupeville leaders stated that they have to be responsible when it comes to managing the money for this endeavor. If all works out, the Coupeville food bank, Gifts from the Heart will also benefit. By contributing to the rent of the firehouse, Gifts from the Heart will be allowed a percentage of the space in the firehouse for storage and operations. According to Molly Hughes, head of Gifts from the Heart, volunteers currently have to transfer their donated food from facility to facility.
 
A final decision on whether or not the Boys and Girls Club of Coupeville will be able to use the firehouse for their club location, is expected within the next few weeks.

Previously proposed...
Weston Community Center/Boy's and Girl's Club:  Could it fit at Morehouse Farm Park?
BOY'S&GIRL'S CLUB DOESN'T FIT INTO PLANS FOR USE OF BISCEGLIE PARK, AS PLANNED BY FLETCHER-THOMPSON.  THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THIS IDEA (B&G) USE A PRINT OF THE ORIGINAL JOHN HELD GRAPHICS ON THE CLUB LETTERHEAD:
The John Held, Jr's. original design, sketch of the original above by ABOUT WESTON, was recovered a few years ago by the Board of Selectmen and the Weston Police Department from parties unknown (who may or may not have been involved in the original theft).  The John Held image is being used as a directional signal for the Board of Selectmen NOW to do just a bit more "thinking out of the box."  And moving forward toward the goal of more recreation (non-competitive style) and community-building.
..
Letters to the editor keep coming--both pro and con...
FAVORABLE FRONT PAGE ARTICLE ON BOY'S&GIRLS CLUB IN JUNE 8th FORUM:
Weston FORUM editorial praises concept and even execution (so far) of BOY'S&GIRLS CLUB advocates;  reflects on timing of this proposal regarding school and septic needs.

An unofficial version of the presentation by representatives of the...
WESTON COMMUNITY CENTER & BOY'S & GIRL'S CLUB ORGANIZATION AT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MAY 4, 2000

The Weston Boy's & Girl's Club presented the culmination of more than a full year of research to the Board of Selectmen on Thursday, May 4, 2000.  First was a video from the parent organization explaining by example the goals and objectives of the Clubs - the answers to "frequently asked questions." Second was an overhead projector presentation of the business plan for the partnership between a Weston Boy's & Girl's Club and the Town of Weston and its citizens.

The Need for a Weston Community Center
Social isolation of seniors, latch-key children of dual career parents, inadequate space at the Schools or elsewhere within the community - lack of a community "gathering place" (other than the Lunch Box/Center, churches or the School Campus, etc.).

Potential Town Benefits
A multi-generational community center and gathering place...a "positive choice" environment where youth can go on their own terms...this has been lacking in Weston.  The Boy's & Girl's Club would provide full-time leadership and independent governance (its own Board of Directors).  Freeing up needed space and creation of additional recreation facilities and providing a home for Town of Weston recreation, Senior and Children and Youth offices would be possible.  A Joint Development Project for Doing Good (ABOUT WESTON's words)...

Demographics and Community Support
The children are here (according to the Boy's&Girl's Club reasearch to date, a 29.6% increase can be expected in the next five years);  the idea is not new, only the determination to have a professional approach to programming is...

Construction Budget; Revenues
A budget of $3.2 million includes provision for a 20,000 sq.ft. building, portable skating rink and outdoor facilities (plus parking budget, etc.).  Dues, fees, grants, private contributions, special events/fund raisers, income from rent for outside users of the facility, other fees;  PLUS Town of Weston contribution annually are included in this financial plan.

Operating Budget
Personnel for a year - $169,000 includes 2 or 3 full time and part-time staff;  expenses should be $281,000...for a total of $450,000 (including working capital/profit of $39,000).

Next Steps
Approval by or endorsement or whatever you care to call it by the Town of Weston is required at this time to keep momentum for this idea moving forward.  Appoint a Steering Committee of the Boy's & Girl's Club to assist (as advisors--similar to the recently appointed School Board presence) the Building Committee;  obtain a financial pledge from the Town of Weston to support the future development so that private fundraising can begin.


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