Town of Upton, Massachusetts

Search Upton.MA.US

Open Space Committee

(a subcommittee of the Upton Conservation Commission)

Mission Statement

Upton's Open Space Committee is dedicated to protecting our town's quality of life by preserving its open spaces, its natural resources, its historic treasures and its small town character.

The Open Space Sub-Committee's goals:

To increase awareness and enjoyment of Upton's protected lands and natural resources and to educate the public on open space issues.
To work with public officials and private land owners to identify opportunities for open space management, protection or acquisition.
To help the town develop bylaws, regulations and planning strategies to preserve open space, enhance natural habitats and to ensure that rapid development doesn't overburden town services or town taxpayers.

The Open Space Subcommittee meets at 7:30 PM on the third Thursday of every month, in the Nipmuc High School Gathering Room. All residents are invited to attend. New members are welcome!

Minutes of recent Open Space committee meetings are available (coming soon).

For the most recent Town of Upton Space map click here.

Members

Chip Boyle (co-chair)

Mike Penko (co-chair)
Cathy Dodd
Tom Dodd
Scott Heim
Rick Holmes (CPA committee representative)

Marcella Stasa

Contact

By phone: Messages for the committee can be left with Debbie Sexton, the Conservation Commission Administrative Assistant, at 508-529-6286.

By email: mpenko@charter.net or chip@boylesonline.com

Open Space Walks

The committee sponsors walks throughout the year to explore Upton’s many exceptional natural areas and landscapes. Click here for a schedule of upcoming walks or call Marcella Stasa at 508-529-3709 for more information.

Dodson Open Space Study

The Dodson open space study has been completed. Click here to view the report.

Open Space Plan

The committee is updating the Upton Open Space Plan. A draft is expected to be available for public review in March of 2008.

Conservation Initiatives

The committee is exploring acquisition of a 40 parcel off old Miscoe Hill road.

Open Space Bylaw

The committee worked with Upton Planning Board to update the town’s Open Space Bylaw. The new bylaw was approved at a September 2007 special town meeting. Click here to access the bylaw.

Scenic Roads Bylaw

The committee is working to develop a scenic roads bylaw for presentation to town meeting in 2008. (Coming soon) an example of a scenic road bylaw from the Town of Hopkinton.

Links:

Blackstone River Watershed Association

Blackstone Natural Heritage Corridor

Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Friends of Upton State Forest

Hopkinton Trails Club

Grafton Land Trust

Massachusetts Audubon

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

Metacomet Land Trust

The Nature Conservancy (Massachusetts Chapter)

Sudbury Valley Trustees

The Trust for Public Lands

Town News