The Committee on Open Space, Environment, and Energy convened via remote participation on December 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM to review the economic impact of Greentown Labs, approve the 2025-2035 Open Space and Recreation Plan, discuss the Pollinator Action Plan, and address various open space infrastructure needs including dog parks and street trees. Committee members expressed strong support for the city's partnership with Greentown Labs and the development of native pollinator habitats while voicing concerns regarding the lack of dedicated off-leash dog areas in West Somerville and the stalled status of the Art Farm project.
Good evening. Uh ladies and gentlemen, this is the committee on open space environment and energy. We're meeting today. It's Wednesday, December 3rd at 6 p.m. On the dog. Um pursuant to chapter two of the acts of 2025. This meeting of the City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will also post an audio recording, audio video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the city of Sumavy website and local cable access channel. Individuals with disability who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication written materials in alternative format or reasonable modification in policy and procedures in order to access the programs and activities of the city of the city of Somavy or to attend meetings should contact Adria Pomero in advance at 617 6256600 extension 2059. And so we will start by you know with the roll call for to establish a quorum. It's a clerk. Present. Sorry. Council Wilson. No. Present. Council Burnley. Present. Council Said. Council Mabah. Present. Mr. Chair, four members of present, one is absent. We have a quorum. Thank you, you know, Clerk for Solisi. Uh I think the record should reflect that Councillor Klingon is stepping in. Uh uh in you know, it's been appointed by Councillor Davis, who could not be here, and you know, Councillor Said it also has a prior commitment. So I think we will also begin by uh the first item on the agenda is to approve you know the minutes of the last you know committee meeting. On approval of the minutes, council Clingen. Yes, Councilor Wilson, yes, councillor Burnley. Aye, Council Say, Council Barr. Yes, Mr. Chair, four members of voted to approve the minutes. One is absent, the minutes are approved. Thank you, Clerk for Solisi. I also see you know, one of our newest councillor is in attendance. You know, hi, councillor Hart. We see you. Um so we will begin by moving things around as we are also assisted this evening by you know, members from the administration. We have uh legislative uh liaison radasi. So thank you, yes. For helping us as well. So we will take item if you item out of order, we'll take agenda item number five. I think which which says that the no, no, no, that's not five. Mr. Chair, if if I may, um director Nat Carney is having some issues, some technical difficulties logging on. Um, so maybe we could table the out-of-order ones just until she's able to join the meeting. Absolutely. My apologies. No, no worries.