Jim Edgecomb gave an overview of the project's "prime design challenges/opportunities."  Based upon topographic (digital) maps at 1"=50' scale, a series of colored drawings were displayed.  Each option shown had sub-options, and at the present scale it was easy to read as regards traffic and parking and general planning layout.  The areas of "challenge" involve the following:  access, parking, bus turnaround, evaluation of buildings and possible development, entry, wetlands.  Multiple schemes were presented.  The earlier part of the consultants day was taken up with tour and observations on site at the Juliana Lachat Preserve.

First discussed was access.  There are four points of access:  1)existing   2)realignment of road access to the east, between two trees (42' separates oaks)   3)through meadow   4)Ladder Hill Road.

Second discussed was parking.  How much and where parking is provided--and is it gravelled, paved (not preferred), one-way, two-way flow of traffic between parking opportunities, mingling or not of different modes (car, bus, delivery and garbage vehicles);  requirements for turnaround space differs for cars and bus traffic.

Third to be discussed was status of existing buildings, their future role to maintain "courtyard" for the farm and pedestrian flows.  The Farmstead can be renovated and preserved for use as administration and intern housing, according to Edgecomb.  The barn can be maintained as a barn, but not feasible to renovate for public use.  Rear house not worth renovating (because it has become a modern structure--denatured as an historical artifact).  The garage blocks the "gateway" to the Den.

Entry points were discussed next.  Based upon other experiences, members of the Committee suggested not paving much of the access, trying to reduce impact of bus loading and standing/waiting.  One way traffic was favored by some, narrow travelways by others.  Intrusion on wetlands will not be done, of course, but relocation and creation of new wetlands, in cooperation with Conservation, P&Z, to enhance the teaching aspect and learning about ecology first hand for visitors and students, is a good thing.  At this point (2:45pm.)  "About Town" had to depart.  NEXT MEETING:  end of January (28?).

Dates set for three (3) other meetings with the Conservation/Nature Center Ad Hoc Committee:
Dec. 5, 2002 at 2pm; January 28, 2003 (tent.) and March 6, 2003 (tent.) we assume at the same time in the same location--Town Hall Commission Room.

Charge  to the architects (as written in document not in "About Town's" possession) from summer 2002) includes:

1. work on existing front house for The Nature Conservancy and their partner organization) offices
2. visitors' center, rest rooms, kitchen
3. tent facility for outdoor events (temporary tent--not a permanent structure)
4. classroom for total 60 student (with divider to permit 2 classroom activities at a time)

Other details of "program" discussed, including place for equipment shed and related vehicles), parking lot (s) and how many paved spaces are needed immediately and how many can wait.  Emphasis on original plantings, maintaining homestead and walls and plantings and out-building relationships.  Wetland corridor to be organized and enhanced as natural example of wetland for teaching purposes.

Final product for the Committee will be a "booklet" but other drawing and visuals will be created.  Drawings will be 1"=40' unless more architectural or engineering detail is required at some point.  Committee emphasized desire to have a model created showing entire property as it relates to neighborhood and the Den.  Vistas to be maintained and enhanced.

Not changing the look of the property is key.  "About Town" will not go into any more detail here, because this was a "working" meeting and the process seems to be developing very well.

DRAFT AGENDA  dated 10-4-02... (NOT the official agenda):

CHARGE TO THE ARCHITECTS (has anything changed?)

MISSION STATEMENT ("guiding principles for the project")

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS (based on letter dated February 12, 2002; not presented at a public meeting, so not a public document)

REPORT ON PERMITTING RESEARCH (brief review of days activities before this meeting)

VISIONS  from three (3) architects' presentations @Thursday, October 10, 2001 Town Hall, Norfield Road, Weston, CT;  previous interviews as observed by "About Town:"

(1) Jim Edgecomb - 4:00pm-5pm - observed by "About town", October 10, 2001- unanimous choice (9-23-02) of AD HOC COMMITTEE at this meeting;
(2)  Leonard Baum - 5:00pm - observed previously by "About Town", in part, June 28, 2001;
(3)  Bob Faesy - 6:00pm - observed by "About Town" previously, in part, June 12, 2001.