WESTFORD — The Conservation Commission voted at its Oct. 14 meeting, to support a proposal to raise the annual spending limit for the East Boston Camps maintenance revolving fund from $80,000 to $150,000, citing rising maintenance costs and the need for greater financial flexibility.
The proposal, which is included as Article 6 on the October Special Town Meeting warrant, would allow the town to spend more money from the existing revolving fund each fiscal year to maintain the property.
During the meeting, Conservation Resource Planner Matthew Salem explained that the current spending limit has restricted the town’s ability to address repairs and ongoing maintenance at East Boston Camps.
Salem pointed to a roughly $40,000 septic system replacement at Camp Yellow during the previous fiscal year. The expenditure pushed the town to its annual spending limit before the fiscal year ended, requiring additional authorization from the Select Board and Finance Committee to cover future expenses.
The revolving fund also covers approximately $40,000 in annual caretaker expenses, leaving a limited amount available under the current spending cap for other maintenance projects.
Commissioners discussed the costs associated with preserving the property’s aging buildings, including roof repairs, chimney replacements, and other infrastructure improvements.
Salem said that replacing the roof of Yellow Lodge cost approximately $17,000 five years ago and that similar work would likely cost more now.
Commissioners questioned whether increasing the spending limit was appropriate without a more comprehensive plan for the property’s long-term maintenance and preservation.
During the discussion, it was said that the property’s master plan was approximately 20 to 25 years old and there was question over whether it remained an appropriate guide for future improvements.
Salem agreed that additional planning was needed and said a working group was making progress toward identifying immediate maintenance priorities and evaluating longer-term options.
Salem explained that any comprehensive approach would require the town to determine which improvements it wants to pursue and assess the associated costs.
Despite those concerns, Salem emphasized that increasing the revolving fund’s spending limit would not require the town to spend $150,000 annually.
Instead, the change would authorize spending up to that amount from available funds when necessary, thus reducing the likelihood of exceeding the spending limit before the end of a fiscal year.
Following the discussion, commissioners voted to support Article 6 and the proposed increase to $150,000.
The Conservation Commission’s vote represents support of the warrant article, and voters will consider the proposal at Special Town Meeting on Oct. 26.
About East Boston Camps
The East Boston Camps is an historic 286-acre natural property and conservation area, located around Burge’s Pond at 66 Depot Street.
It is situated directly inside the Stony Brook Conservation Land.
Originally founded in the 1930s by Isabel and Sara Hyams as a “Fresh Air Camp” operated by the East Boston Social Centers. East Boston Camps was purchased by an enthusiastic and unanimous Town Meeting vote in early 2005. A 2014 Town Meeting changed its name to Stony Brook Conservation Land.
East Boston Camps includes 33 buildings, three swimming beaches on Burge’s Pond, grassy fields, an amphitheater, and 6.6 miles of hiking and walking trails
This parcel of land is essentially a peninsula bordered on the west by Stony Brook and on the east by Keyes Brook. In the middle of the land is the clear and lovely Burge’s Pond. Because of these water resources, the land contains extensive and varied wildlife habitats.
The property itself contains glacial deposits of sand and gravel in the form of long, high, steep eskers. The brooks are host to many migratory bird species in spring and fall, some of which nest there, such as mergansers, pintails, ring-necked and wood ducks.
The woods are full of migratory song birds such as various warbler species, scarlet tanangers, orioles and thrushes. Many resident birds such as barred, screech and great horned owl nest here, too. Wildflowers, both common and uncommon, line the banks of the Stony Brook. Mammals such as red fox, white-tailed deer, mink, otter and fisher pass through. There are both a bog and several vernal pools on the property.
An extensive trail system links these habitat areas with the camp buildings themselves. Except when the camp is in session in July and August, the trails are open to the public for non-motorized uses. During camp season, only the trail along Stony Brook is open to walkers.
Between the Stony Brook School and the northwest border of Stony Brook Conservation Land is the Mass Electric Line. This was a trolley line many years ago and has become an attractive, level rail trail. Many children can use it to walk or bicycle to and from school. It begins in Graniteville, passes next to the school, and extends all the way to Nabnasset.
In November 2015, the Waki-Nashoba Connector was renamed in honor of George S. Fletcher, caretaker at the camps for over 40 years and well loved by previous campers, counselors and town residents.
