1) I built the first two sandwich boards this weekend. They are constructed of cabinet quality plywood so once they are stained they will look fantastic. Each board will have a clip installed top and bottom so we can change what the sign says by changing the foam core insert. For picture click the link below.
http://www.thechelmsfordian.com/g2data/gallery2/v/work/
I most likely build 3 or 4 more as I have all the wood required.

2) Did a walk at Crooked Spring yesterday and spoke to guy who has fished in the pond for many years. I asked him about the health of the pond and any changes he has seen. He said that the Bass and Trout have all died of as they can no longer go upstream to spawn because of the beaver damns. The fish that remain are Sunfish and Carp. He also said the either beavers or the musk rats have started rebuilding a structure below the damn and before the road. I also saw a bunch of red turtles sunning on some of the dead floating logs.
3) Ran into a Rock Hound in the Lime Quarry. I spoke to him for a long time and he showed me the different types of rocks and gave me some resources on the Quarry that I will post on the website. It seems that the Quarry is unique in the area for the range of minerals found and the easy access to them. Don was from the Merrimack Mineral Club and I have is contact numbers so I will talk to him more and using the information for this Open Space.

Great weekend and its fun to talk to people about why they use the Open Space sometimes like the two people above you learn something new.. and that’s a good thing. I will be quiet for the next two weeks as I am repairing and staining my house. Once I finish this I should have extra lumber and stain so we will look at the Open Space signage and see if any of that needs an overhaul.

-Have a great Week
-Phil

I have updated the photo gallery to make it easyer to use. check it out!

1) Trees blocking fire road at Crooked Spring: Trees dropped sometime Tuesday and have been cleared Weds. Fire road and trail is now clear and open.(see photos above)
2) Troop leader from Troop 77 stopped by to talk with us last night as he has two members who need Eagle Scout projects and suggested a bridge and step’s at Crooked Spring. I asked if he has seen the web site and he said “no”. Both of these are things we have been talking about for months and we where going to approach the scouts about these two same projects. I told him that the Stewards would provide as must support as they needed. This looks like this might get fast tracked!
3) The Graphics Design Company doing our maps (at no charge) returned logos for the Stewardship. We will be using Logo B1 unless any one has a reason not to. Looking at the quality of the work on the logos the maps are going to be amazing.(see logos in PDF file)
4) We talked about renting or buying our own chipper so we can clean Crooked Spring and other projects (like the branches from the trees last night) . This would make us totally self sufficient and no longer require DWP support. It would cost a small amount of money but save as town trucks and personnel are not used.

I have a few other things I am working on and once they are solid I will tell everyone. If you think the last 4 months have been rocket paced…. Just wait!

The Town of Chelmsford will hold a household hazardous waste collection this coming Saturday, April 29 at the lower lot behind the Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (the time published in the Lowell Sun was incorrect). Chelmsford residents only - be prepared to show ID, fees charged for some materials. Bring cleaners, drain openers, fluorescent light bulbs, hobby or photography chemicals, metal or furniture polish, pharmaceuticals, lithium batteries, antifreeze, car and boat batteries, brake fluid, degreasers, driveway sealers, motor oil, polishes and wax, transmission fluid, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides, insect sprays, pesticides, pool chemicals, rodent poisons, weed killers, epoxies, adhesives, oil-based paint, paint thinner, solvents, stains varnishes, wood preservatives, wood strippers, etc. Call 978-250-5241 for details on what to bring and fees charged.

Latex paint is NOT hazardous waste. Allow latex paint to dry completely in can and then leave it at the curb with the lid off for collection by trash collectors.

April 21, 2006 PRESS RELEASE
RE: THE CHELMSFORD GARDEN CLUB HOUSE TOUR
Contact Person: Jean Kydd, Publicity
Phone: 978-256-2893 Fax: 978-256-2360 e-mail: jkydd@comcast.net
The Chelmsford Garden Club will present a Spectacular House Tour on Sunday , May 21from 1:00 –5:00, and Monday, May 22, from 10:00 –3:00. This very popular event will be entitled “Doorways to the Past and Present”.Four completely different properties will be on display, followed by a fabulous Tea at the All Saints Episcopal Church Hall, 10 Billerica Road, Chelmsford. Included in the tour will be The Millstream at 99 Mill Road. This is a most enchanting, hidden gem, of great historic significance to the Town. Next will be the beautiful authentically restored farmhouse at 143 Pine Hill Road, built in the 1750’s, complete with custom pool in it’s natural rock and granite-framed garden setting. The tour will then continue on to 2 Driftwood Drive to the lovely expanded Cape decorated in eclectic style including a Carousel Horse, a British phone booth, and a large collection of Princess Dianna memorabilia. Last but not least will be the lovely 21st century multi-floor townhouse, nestled in the woods at 255 North Road, surrounded by a wrap-around deck overlooking a gently winding brook and private walking pathways.
Mark your calendars now…You will not want to miss this Fabulous HouseTour.

The proceeds will help to fund the many ongoing Civic Development projects the Chelmsford Garden Club supports. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at door. Tickets may be purchased at Harrington’s Wine and Liquor, The Center Basket Shop, and Aunt Margaret’s in North Chelmsford, or by calling Bonni at 978-692-8685.

1) Met with Conservation Commission and they are as excited as we are about the Stewardship Program.
2) Funds have been allocated for ongoing work.
3) Trash issue has been addressed but not solved.
4) George has stolen all the trash from Crooked Spring and is driving it all over town in his truck… Kind of like an early July 4th float.
5) Gate at 495 has been ripped open again… “what we need is a bigger hammer” – Jaws
6) Bill and I found a possible trail extension for the Wright preserve that will complete a 1+ mile loop.
7) Bill has measured all the trails with “the Wheel” so I will update the map.
8) Maps are being redrawn by a graphic artist so they will look great.

Bill and I and about 30 ticks explored most of the George Wright Preserve. It was fun but sometimes we where knee deep in mud but that comes with the job. Anyway the map posted here and on the town sight is incorrect as the Boy Scouts added a new trail. We also think the location of the foundations on the map are not in the correct place. A corrected map with correct distances will be posted this week, If you want to see what we found (some really cool items) check out “foundation Walk” in the photo gallery.

After walking the trail this morning I noticed a marked increase is wear and tear due to dirt bikes. It seems that sometime this weekend several bikes where engaged in a contest to climb the “Sledding Hill”. This is the main cause for the erosion to hillside. From the tracks it also seems they where hauling down the trails. This might require an outreach to the abutters to ask them to call it in to the CPD when they hear them. We can also do increased monitoring of the sight to get some documented proof. Maybe some increased signage in the area to inform dirt bike users of the penalties if caught. One sign at the top of the hill (out of vandals range) should suffice. I have caught a glimpse of the kids in question and they live at the far end .3 mile marker and a second group on the hill behind the 1 mike marker.

Large Grey Owl sighted at Crooked Spring 7-18-2006 at 7:20 am. This might be the same one I saw over the last two years each about this time. I will post an older picture of him\her so you guys can see it. How did I know it was there? Easy look for crows wigging out like in the movie “the Birds” in the center of this you will find an Owl. Seems they don’t play well with each other.


On the bad side… yet more dumping over the weekend. This time a concrete birdbath was tossed on top of Mt Trashmore. Very very sad.

" My wife Jean and I walked a section of the Wright Reservation yesterday. Picked up some more trash .What we discovered was that the trail that supposedly ends at Parker Rd. actually continues on to the old foundation sites. It is a new trail that must have been built by the Scouts. There's a beautiful bridge across what I assume is Putnam Brook. I'm wondering if this is not part of the Master Plan. It was really quite exciting to see what a great job they did. There was a lot of serious junk in the area of the foundations, including auto parts and an old wagon. There was also an area the trail cut through that was the biggest infestation of Asian Bitter Sweet that I have ever seen! If the town hall is open Mon. I will try to get a copy of the M.P. It looks to me like we could extend the trail to create a big loop back to the parking lot."

Looks like the Job at the Wright just got a lot harder... So clear the whole day on the 22nd!.

Sat April 22 9 am at the Wright Preservation (off Rt 27). We will be clearing the trails of downed trees and overhanging brush. We will also have our version of an Easter Egg Hunt called “Trash In the Woods Hunt”. No prizes and I would advise you not to eat anything you find. Everyone welcome. Gloves and long pants are a must. We have some cutters and hope to get some more. The parking lots needs the flower beds cleaned out and if we get this done early or have more people that we need the flower beds at the Quarry also need Spring Cleaning.

Bill and I walked the paths last night to get a idea on how the place looks. Here is what we found.


1) Main paths look great. (Boy Scouts did a great Job last year)
2) Side paths have lots of branches crossing the trails and brush on the trails. These need to be cleared back due to ticks (Pulled a nice one off this am).
3) About ½ dozen dropped trees across the back paths that need to be cleared.
4) Fire pit found in the and needs to be dismantled and removed. (Signs of very recent use).
5) Message board empty and locked (Bill needs key)
6) Lot has a broken computer screen in it.
7) Entrance needs spring cleaning.
8) Lots of strange trees and plants. This must be the legacy of the nursery and proper cataloging and photographing could make this a “must see” open space.

Bill will handle a lot of this with Andy but we were thinking maybe April 22 for clean up (Earth Day). We also talked about Robin Hill and looking to see if the trails can be linked somehow. The preserve is very small but if the trails can be linked that would make it a much larger trail system and more interesting. Bill will be off to the library and see what he can find in the reference section on the area to make the entrance interesting. He will also get a copy of the master plan that we can all look at before the 22nd cleanup. Bill will be joining us on the 18th so we will have all three Stewardships at the meeting so the Board can get to meet us all. With all the Man power for the 22nd that’s also the day we remove the Roberts Field sign (I have no idea what it weights but I want plenty of help just in case).

It seems that every open space we have taken on so far has something unique and fun about it. This “uniqueness” is something we are looking at building on to attract residents to see them.

Have a great weekend - Phil

Here are the contact e-mail Addresses:

Quarry issues: Phil@thechelmsfordian.com (Phil Stanway)
Crooked Spring Beth@thechemsfordian.com Mike@thechelmsfordian.com (Beth and Mike Logan)
Wright Perserve: Bill@thechelmsfordian.com (William Tucker)

Other: Phil@theChelmsfordian.com (Phil Stanway)

Robin Hill Reservation

Purchased in 1979, this 33-acre reservation is part of Conservation Commission-owned greenway in central Chelmsford. Located on Robin Hill, between Acton Road and Summit A venue, the Robin Hill Reservation provides spectacular views of Chelmsford. As the highest point in Chelmsford, the top of Robin Hill provides beautiful views. On a clear day, one can see the Boston skyline from this 408-foot peak. The hill is also geologically interesting. The hill is made up of a limestone deposit, which extends to the lower slopes of the former lime quarry on the north side of Littleton Road. The presence of limestone makes the soils neutral (lacking acidity), which supports a habitat unique to this part of the state. There is not a well-developed trail network on the hill, but one can take a short walk on an old cart road and enjoy the views.
Location: Off Acton Road, opposite Parker Road, or Summit Avenue, off Robin Hill Road

Bill Tucker (long time Chelmsford resident) is taking up the mantel of the Stewardship over at the Wright preserve. Bill is one of the original crazy’s who helped clear the Quarry so I know he is a hard working no nonsense guy. He will walk the trails and keep them maintained. He will also do the “Trash walks” that we all do a few times a week. This gives us eyes and feet on the ground in three of Chelmsford’s open spaces. As with Beth and Mike he will be added as an Admin to www.thechelmsfordian.com so he can post news and photos to keep up all informed. I am meeting him Weds and I will to shoot a virtual walk of the main trail so everyone can see the open space. Bill is a wonderful addition to the crew and will conduit from residents and people who use the preserve back to all of us.