Groveland Open Space and Recreation Plan

Transcription

Groveland Open Space and Trails Committee
Groveland Conservation Commission
Town of Groveland
December 1, 2008
DRAFT REV 2.3
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 - PLAN SUMMARY .................................................................................... 1-1 Section 2 - INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 2-1 2A - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE ............................................................................. 2-1 2B - PLANNING PROCESS AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION .......................................... 2-1 Section 3 - COMMUNITY SETTING ........................................................................... 3-1 3A - REGIONAL CONTEXT ................................................................................... 3-1 3B - HISTORY OF GROVELAND ............................................................................ 3-4 MAP 3-1: Town of Groveland 1872 ............................................................ 3-7 3C - POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS .................................................................. 3-8 3D - GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS ..................................................... 3-14 3D1 - PATTERNS AND TRENDS ....................................................................... 3-14 MAP 3-2: Town of Groveland Zoning Map................................................. 3-17 3D2 - INFRASTRUCTURE ............................................................................... 3-18 3D2a - Transportation System .................................................................... 3-18 3D2b - Water Supply Systems .................................................................... 3-18 3D2c - Sewer Service ................................................................................ 3-19 3D3 - LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS ................................................... 3-19 Section 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS ........................................... 4-1 4A - GEOLOGY, SOILS AND TOPOLOGY ................................................................. 4-1 4B - LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ............................................................................. 4-2 MAP 4-1: Town of Groveland Soils Map...................................................... 4-3 MAP 4-2: Town of Groveland Special Features Map ..................................... 4-4 4C - WATER RESOURCES .................................................................................... 4-5 MAP 4-3: Groveland Water Resources Map ................................................ 4-7 WATERSHEDS......................................................................................... 4-8 4C2 - SURFACE WATER ................................................................................... 4-9 4C2a - Ponds .............................................................................................. 4-9 4C2b - Rivers and Streams ......................................................................... 4-10 4C3 - AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS .................................................................. 4-11 Map 4-4: Town of Groveland Aquifer Protection Map.................................. 4-12 4C4 - FLOOD HAZARD AREAS ........................................................................ 4-13 4C5 - WETLANDS ......................................................................................... 4-14 4D - VEGETATION............................................................................................ 4-16 4D1 - GENERAL INVENTORY .......................................................................... 4-16 iii
4D2 - FOREST LAND ..................................................................................... 4-19 4D3 - AGRICULTURAL LAND ........................................................................... 4-19 4D4 - WETLAND VEGETATION ........................................................................ 4-19 4D5 - RARE SPECIES .................................................................................... 4-20 4D6 - UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCES SITES .................................................... 4-21 4E - FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.......................................................................... 4-21 MAP 4-5: The NHESP Biomap and Living Waters ....................................... 4-22 4E1 - INVENTORY ......................................................................................... 4-24 4E2 - CORRIDORS FOR WILDLIFE MIGRATION.................................................. 4-26 MAP 4-6: Groveland Greenway Map................................................................. 4-27 4F - SCENIC AND UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS ......................................................... 4-28 4F1 - SCENIC LANDSCAPES ........................................................................... 4-28 MAP 4-7: Town of Groveland Scenic Resources and Unique Environments .... 4-29 4F2 - MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OR UNUSUAL GEOLOGIC FEATURES .................. 4-30 4F3 - CULTURAL, ARCHEOLOGIC AND HISTORIC AREAS .................................... 4-30 4F4 - UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS....................................................................... 4-31 4G - ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES .................................................................. 4-32 4G1 - HAZARDOUS WASTE AND BROWNFIELD SITES ........................................ 4-33 4G2 - LANDFILLS ......................................................................................... 4-35 4G3 - EROSION............................................................................................ 4-35 4G4 - CHRONIC FLOODING ............................................................................ 4-35 4G5 - SEDIMENTATION ................................................................................. 4-35 4G6 - DEVELOPMENT IMPACT......................................................................... 4-35 4G7 - LAND USE SUITABILITY ANALYSIS ......................................................... 4-36 4G8 - GROUND AND SURFACE WATER POLLUTION ............................................ 4-37 4G9 - IMPAIRED WATER BODIES .................................................................... 4-37 MAP-4-8: Town of Groveland Land Use Suitability ..................................... 4-38 Section 5 - INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION INTEREST ...... 5-1 5A - PROTECTED OPEN SPACE LAND .................................................................... 5-1 5A1 - PROTECTED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE LAND .................................................... 5-1 5A2 - PROTECTED PRIVATE OPEN SPACE LAND .................................................. 5-6 5B - UNPROTECTED OPEN SPACE LAND ................................................................ 5-7 5B1 - TAX INCENTIVE LANDS ........................................................................... 5-7 5B2 - UNPROTECTED TOWN OF GROVELAND LAND ............................................. 5-9 5B3 - UNPROTECTED PRIVATE OPEN SPACE LAND ............................................ 5-11 Map 5-1: Town of Groveland Open Space ................................................ 5-15 iv
Section 6 - COMMUNITY VISION ............................................................................. 6-1 6A - DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS .......................................................................... 6-1 6B - STATEMENT OF OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION GOALS.................................... 6-3 Section 7 - ANALYSIS OF NEEDS ............................................................................. 7-1 7A - SUMMARY OF RESOURCE PROTECTION NEEDS................................................ 7-1 7B - SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY NEEDS................................................................. 7-2 7C - MANAGEMENT NEEDS, POTENTIAL CHANGE OF USE ........................................ 7-4 Section 8 - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................................... 8-1 Section 9 - FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN ....................................................................... 9-1 MAP 9-1: Town of Groveland Action Plan ................................................... 9-6 Section 10 - PUBLIC COMMENT ............................................................................. 10-1 Section 11 - REFERENCES .................................................................................... 11-1 Section 12 - APPENDICES .................................................................................... 12-1 APPENDIX A: GROVELAND WELLS NO.1 & 2 SUPERFUND SITE
APPENDIX B: CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION DESIGN DIVISION BYLAW
APPENDIX C: DEP SWAP REPORT
APPENDIX D: AQUIFER DISTRICT PROTECTION BYLAW
APPENDIX E: NHESP BIOMAP AND THE LIVING WATERS
APPENDIX F: 1995/1997 OPEN SPACE SURVEYS
APPENDIX G: VEASEY MEMORIAL PARK NESTING BOX SUMMARY FOR 2005/2006
APPENDIX H: OPEN SPACE EVALUATION CRITERIA
APPENDIX I: GROVELAND MASTER PLAN – PARKS AND RECREATION
v
Section 1 – Plan Summary
Section 1 - PLAN SUMMARY
This Groveland Open Space and Recreation Plan (GOSRP) describes the currently existing
natural resources (Sections 3 and 4) and open spaces (Section 5) in Groveland. It presents
three goals (Section 6), outlines several open space needs (Section 7), presents ten
objectives associated with the three goals (Section 8), and proposes groups and committees
responsible for refining and implementing the Five Year Action Plan (Section 9).
The Open Space and Recreation Plan Goals (from Section 6) are:
A.
Protect Groveland’s water resources, particularly the aquifer.
B.
Protect the small town character of Groveland.
C.
Preserve Groveland’s natural resources, including rare wildlife and their core habitat
as well as open space, scenic vistas, farms, trails, greenways and wildlife corridors
and especially land that enhances and buffers existing conservation land.
D. Enhance recreational opportunities by protecting existing recreational land and
acquiring additional land to meet increased demand due to projected population
growth.
The Objectives and their associated goals are:
1.
Establish and implement a program to protect water resources and quality to
achieve Goals A & C.
2.
Develop and implement a management plan for Johnson’s Pond (MPJP) to achieve
Goal A & B.
3.
Identify key parcels of land or easements to achieve Goals A, B, C & D.
4.
Create a Town wide trail system to achieve Goals C & D.
5.
Protect and preserve wildlife and their core habitat to achieve Goal C.
6.
Increase community awareness of open space and enjoyment of passive recreation
activities to achieve Goal A, B, C, & D.
7.
Update and implement an Active Recreation Plan to achieve Goal D.
8.
Assess and address growth and its impacts to achieve Goals A, B, C & D.
9.
Incorporate a “river theme” to enhance the sense of place of Elm Park to achieve
Goals B, C & D.
10. Oversee and manage the GOSRP to Achieve Goals A, B, C & D.
The most important overall goal is to promote community awareness of these open space
needs, goals, and objectives; and to find a consensus within the Town on how to meet these
needs.
Page 1-1
Section 2 - Introduction
Section 2 - INTRODUCTION
2A - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Over the past several years, the Town of Groveland has experienced a significant increase in
development and population, which if continued uncontrolled, will jeopardize Groveland’s
small town character, and its natural resources, especially, open space and wildlife. Of
particular concern are rare species of turtles and salamanders that have identified by the
Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). The purpose of this plan is to
highlight and overview what effect unplanned development could have on the Town’s
natural resources, water supply, open space and recreation. This plan provides goals,
objectives and actions that will need to be taken to minimize effect of development and
protect important open space throughout the Town. Hopefully through good planning, the
Town can protect and preserve some of its critical open space and natural resources as well
as continue to provide a water supply that is adequate and of excellent quality. It is also
important that the Town maintain a variety of recreational activities with a sufficient number
of athletic fields to serve the current and future population.
2B - PLANNING PROCESS AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Most of the present open space and recreation goals as well as objectives are similar to
those found in the first Open Space and Recreation Plan. In fact, several of the goals
reported in this plan are similar to some of the goals that the Groveland Conservation
Commission first formalized as objectives in 1974. This early comprehensive master
conservation/recreation plan was prepared due to the increasing pressures of development.
The major objectives of this plan are still relevant even as the Town strives to meet the
demands of development and preserving its small town character and charm and critical
open space for public enjoyment and wildlife habitat. Though more than thirty years have
passed, the objectives presented by this committee in 1974 are still hauntingly applicable
today as seen in the following list of some of their important objectives:
•
To protect wetlands, ponds, and streams.
•
To preserve potential flood-prone areas that should not be encroached upon for the
health and safety of the community.
•
To preserve sites amenable to outdoor recreational activities with conservation value.
•
To preserve the natural beauty of the landscape and to maintain sufficient areas in their
natural state in order to preserve the existing characteristics of the Town.
•
To preserve buffer zones against development that would eliminate public access to
recreational sites or jeopardize the intended beneficial use of the identified natural
resources.
•
To create an open space system in the form of a greenbelt and/or stream belt network,
that will guide and secure order, shape, and form the Town's layout.
•
To facilitate control, through existing State Laws, by identifying wetlands and such other
lands as may be applicable or directed by the Town of Groveland, in the implementation
of this Plan.
Unfortunately, the Town failed to implement these recommendations in any formal or
significant manner. Most of these objectives were finally incorporated in the Town’s first
Open Space and Recreation Plan that was approved in 1997.
Page 2-1
Section 2 - Introduction
One of the first tasks undertaken that was important to the preparation of this initial plan,
and was a reference point for this latest plan, was a survey of the Town residents in 1995
that canvassed their opinion on conservation of open space and natural resources. The
format was a detailed four-page questionnaire, which was published in a local newspaper
and distributed at the public library and town hall. An initial and critical step for the Town
was the August 1996 Town Meeting which voted to purchase Veasey Memorial Park, a 48acre property bordering Johnson’s Pond.
Following this significant purchase of open space, the first Open Space and Recreation Plan
was prepared and approved in 1997, and subsequently, the Town voters adopted and
enacted several articles and measures to protect and preserve open space. Some of these
major actions that were taken by the Town include the purchase of Meadow Pond
Conservation Area and the adoption of the Scenic Roads Bylaw, the Community
Preservation Act, the Conservation Subdivision Bylaw, and the decision not to separate a
portion of the Town Forest as land for a water tower. Another action that shows the strong
appeal that Groveland residents have for open space were decisions made by the 2002
Town Meeting to transfer several town properties to the Conservation Commission, including
the Town Forest.
In order to ensure the success of open space acquisition, the Groveland Conservation
Commission with support from the Groveland Open Space and Trails Committee (GOSTC)
and several dedicated volunteers submitted applications for two separate Self-Help Grants
offered through Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA). Both applications were
successful. One of these applications and several smaller grants assisted with the purchase
of the Meadow Pond Conservation area referred to as “Turtleland”.
Since its formation, the GOSTC has prepared strategies for protecting open space,
preserving wildlife habitat, and creating critical greenway corridors as well as keeping a
close watch on development and creating an inventory of open space. GOSTC has
coordinated their activities closely with the Conservation Commission. Over the past
several months, members of the GOSTC and the Conservation Commission have met to
update the Open Space and Recreation Plan. During this time, this group has also
communicated with the Groveland Water and Sewer Department, Town Clerk, Board of
Assessors Administrator, the Building Inspector, Recreation Committee and the Planning
Board. The Groveland Affordable Housing Plan, the first Open Space and Recreation Plan
and the Town’s “draft” Master Plan were helpful references in preparing this second plan.
Also, a public meeting was held in July 2006 to field comments and suggestions from town
boards and committees as well as local residents.
The Groveland Open Space and Trails Committee Members are:
Robert Guptill, Member
Richard Lombard, Secretary
David Blackwell, Member
Jennifer Rogers, Member
Dr. Gene Blatt, Chairman
Page 2-2
Section 3 – Community Setting
Section 3 - COMMUNITY SETTING
In this section, the community’s surrounding geography is described as well as its history,
population characteristics and growth and development patterns. It was not until 1850 that
Groveland was incorporated as a town and grew slowly until about 1990, when growth
began to move at a brisker pace.
3A - REGIONAL CONTEXT
Groveland is a small residential community located in Essex County in northeastern
Massachusetts with a population of 6038 people according to the 2000 US Census. The
town was incorporated in 1850. Though Groveland is semi-rural with a few lingering farms,
it is conveniently located near the cities of Haverhill and Newburyport. West Newbury,
Newbury and Georgetown border it on the east, Boxford to the south, and Bradford to the
west and Haverhill to the north. The Merrimack River forms the northern border of the
Town and separates Groveland from the City of Haverhill. The Merrimack River is a
beautiful and popular natural resource. The name, "Merrimack", is a Native American word
meaning "swift water."
Today, Groveland is a residential community with a total area of approximately 9.41 square
miles (about 6014 acres) and a land area that is 8.94 square miles as noted in Table 3.1.
Groveland has a gently rolling terrain with many low wetlands and a fairly large amount of
woodland. Though scattered hills rise to over 300 feet above sea level, the typical elevation
is only approximately 50 feet above sea level.
Table 3.1: Summary of Local Information1
Total Area
9.41 sq. miles
Land Area
8.94 sq. miles
Population
6038
Density
690 per sq. mile
According to the National Weather Bureau (National Climate Data Center/Haverhill Station),
as of 2004 the normal temperatures for January and July are 24.7 degrees F and 72.5
degrees F, respectively with a normal annual precipitation of 44.4 inches.
A Board of Selectmen governs the Town of Groveland with an Administrative Assistant and
an Open Town Meeting. Table 3.2 shows the number of registered voters and their political
affiliation.
1
A Community Development Vision Action Plan for the Town of Groveland
Page 3-1
2
Table 3.2: Registered Voters
Percent
Democrats
Republicans
Other parties
Un-enrolled Voters
Total Registered
1034
28.4
702
19.2
0
0. 0
1911
52.4
3,647
Groveland is located 31 miles north of Boston. State Routes 97 and 113 cut through the
Town and Interstate Highways 95 and 495 are nearby. This highway network, along with
access to the Merrimack Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) and the commuter rail service in
Haverhill and Newburyport, allows Groveland residents commuting flexibility. According to
the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Data, the seasonally unadjusted
annual average unemployment rate for the year 2005 for Groveland was 4.2 percent, which
was lower than the state unadjusted annual average rate of 5.4 percent.
Like so many small New England towns, Groveland has shifted to a light industry and
service based economy. In 2004, the Massachusetts Department of Workforce
Development cites that there were 143 establishments of employment in Groveland. This
represents an increase of 23 establishments from the year 2001. Of the 1200 employees
employed in Groveland in 2004, 31 percent work in construction, 20 percent work in
wholesale and retail jobs, and 18 percent work in professional and technical services. More
and more Groveland residents now commute to work in other communities. Only five
percent walk to work or work from home. The average commuting time is 24.3 minutes.3
Table 3.3, shows the income distribution of Groveland families while Table 3.4 presents the
distribution of employment and wages by industry.
2
3
Page 3-2
4
Table 3.3: Income Distribution
Household Income
Number of
Households
Percent
Less than $10,000
74
3.6
$10,000 - $14,999
25
1.2
$15,000 - $24,999
203
9.8
$25,000 - $34,999
163
7.9
$35,000 - $49,999
205
9.9
$50,000 - $74,999
491
23.7
$75,000 - $99,999
308
14.8
$100,000 - $149,000
453
21.8
$150,000 - $199,999
86
4.1
$200,000 or more
64
3.1
Median household income
$69,157
Table 3.4: Employment and Wages in 2004 by Industry in Groveland5
Businesses
Number of
Establishments
Average
Employees
Construction
31
118
$733
6
14
$1,017
14
107
$547
Transportation and Warehousing
3
3
$979
Finance and Insurance
5
26
$645
18
49
$820
Health Care and Social Assistance
5
33
$476
Arts, Entertainment, and
Recreation
6
52
$308
Accommodation and Food Services
8
48
$270
143
1,200
$757
133
1,030
$766
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Professional and Technical Services
Total, All Industries – All Ownership
Total, All Industries – Private
Ownership
4
2000 US Census
5
Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development
Page 3-3
Average Weekly
Wage
3B - HISTORY OF GROVELAND
Groveland, as a municipal corporation, is not one of the older towns in the Commonwealth,
being incorporated in 1850. Prior to its incorporation in March 1850, the Town proper was
part of Rowley from 1638 to 1675, and part of Bradford from 1675 to 1850. Map 3-1
depicts Groveland in 1872.
Groveland was incorporated as a town on March 8, 1850. It was part of Rowley from 1630
to 1675, and part of Bradford from 1675 to 1850. The Merrimack Valley was originally
home to Native Americans, and some graves have been discovered in South Groveland.
New settlers also valued the Groveland area because Johnson's Creek was an important
source of waterpower. The creek supported the building of dams, which led to the
establishment of gristmills; saw mills, and fulling mills. Leather manufacturing was also
important. At one point a brass foundry opened and when it closed a thread mill replaced
it. Though mechanical industry superseded agriculture in 1850, farming was also a vital
part of Groveland's economic history.
Its settlement and its existence as a part of other towns go back to 1639 when Ezekiel
Rogers’ plantation was granted. Rev. Ezekiel Rogers was a rector of the parish of Rowley in
Yorkshire, England. He was discharged from his position in one of the many theocratic
disputes that enlivened the otherwise staid life of the yeomandry of those days.
Following his discharge he was instrumental in getting together a number of artisans and
their families whose views were like his own. The "plantation" or the old Rowley area
covered in part areas now incorporated in Rowley, Georgetown, Groveland, Boxford and the
Bradford area of Haverhill. As the mother plantation grew, families left the compact center
area and moved to the outer limits of the grant. No one knows for sure just who the first
settler of the area known as Groveland was. Rev. Gardner B. Perry in a discourse delivered
Dec. 22, 1820 states that Thomas Kimball was the first settler. In view of the fact that
Parson Perry was somewhat of a historian and doubtless had access to data now not
available, many people regard Kimball as the first settler. Apparently Kimball was driving a
herd of cattle through the area from old Rowley to the Haverhill area in 1660 and met with
one of the Haseltines in Bradford who bought the cattle.
Kimball returned through the east part of Bradford district, saw land that he liked and
purchased it. Other sources say that there were settlers, or a settler, in the lower part of
the Town prior to 1660. Some 60 years ago evidences of cellar holes could be found on a
hill in Savoryville overlooking the river. The writer's grandfather told him when he was a
boy that these were the remains of the cabins of the first settlers in the area.
The Haseltines and William Wilde (Wild) settled in Bradford in 1649. Sarah Dewhirst Parker
in her "Outline of Groveland History," published in 1950, states that they were the first
settlers in that area. They took up their allotment of land off Salem Street in Bradford
somewhere near the old cemetery.
Within 50 years there were a number of families settled within the present area of
Groveland. From around 1675 on, records show of the births, marriages and deaths of the
Haseltines, Stickneys, Hardys, Balchs, Carletons, Morses and Parkers were all families that
for the most part are no longer residents of the Town.
There were settlers in the Groveland area when Bradford was “set off” from Rowley in 1675,
and until 1850 Groveland was known as the east parish of Bradford.
As this is but a sketch of Groveland from its settlement date to the present, many facts that
would appear in a history must be omitted.
Page 3-4
In the early days there was a close relation between church and state, and until the early
1800's the history of the Town and church would be quite closely entwined. By the church,
one means the former orthodox Congregational Church of the Puritan founders of the
settlements in this area. The east precinct of Bradford was incorporated in 1726, and what
is now the Groveland Congregational Church was incorporated in June of 1727. The present
church was built in 1790 and was moved to its present location on land purchased from
Peter Parker in 1849-50. The church bell was purchased from Paul Revere. Of the first 101
members we are told that 33 were Hardys.
St. James Episcopal Church, in what is now South Groveland, was built in 1873. St.
Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church was built in 1874, services having been held in other
locations prior to the building of the church. These three churches are the only ones now in
existence in Groveland. Through the years there were several Baptist churches, a Methodist
and other short-lived groups of other faiths. At one time, around 1820, there were several
families living near the far end of King Street who embraced the Mormon faith. Older
residents still speak of that area of the Town as Mormon Hollow or Nauvoo.
In 1850, after a number of acrimonious meetings, the Town was set apart from Bradford
and named Groveland. In the series of meetings regarding the name of the new town many
names were considered, some of them quite unique. To name just a few, these were Ai,
Biddyford, China, Denmark, Glascow, Harlem, LaRoy, Melody, Privilege Villa, Sweden and
Vienna. There were many others, and when they are considered it seems the founding
fathers probably made a good choice. The town, like all northern Essex Communities, was
originally one of farms with a side economy of lumbering. It is known that a few small sail
craft were built in yards off the River Road. There was a good supply of oak lumber and
tradition says that the boats were good ones. In the first half century of the Town, many
apple trees were set out and one of the more noted by-products was the famed "Arminian"
cider. In addition to the small sawmills on the "creek", there were from time to time small
grist and fulling mills, as well as tanyards.
As the economy changed from its agriculture base, scores of shoe factories arose in town
over a 60-year period. At the height of this business, some 200 men were employed. The
factories or shops were small, running from two man operations to one that employed over
twenty men. An interesting fact is that during most of Groveland's shoe making days, no
left or right shoes were made. Whoever purchased them "broke them in" for either the
right or left foot? As the boots were heavy and surely lacking the comfort of old slippers,
this may have accounted for why so many people went barefoot in those long ago summers.
Stephen Foster in his small shop on what is now Elm Park conducted a buckle making
business, rather extensive for its day. The Groveland Mills, established by E.J.M. Hale
around 1859, was the largest manufacturing operation in Groveland and ran until 1928. In
later years the Town has had the plants of Styletex Inc. and Valley Screw Products Co. as
major employers. While the latter are the largest employers in town, Groveland is
unfortunate in having more than its share of gravel operations, including one owned by the
Town itself on the Pines-Varney properties. The gravel men have eliminated most of the
historic Federal City area and the natural esker area known as the "bumpers". The Pines
area, which is part of the Town gravel operation, was once a street railway amusement park
and considered one of the finest in this area. In the summer days, as many as twenty
streetcars would follow one after another, filled with pleasure seekers bound for the Pines.
Three turnouts were used to handle these cars, one at the bridge, one at the Pines and the
other at Saveryville.
No history of the Town, brief as it may be, should omit a reference to those who served in
the various wars the colonies and our nation engaged in. From the Indian-French to
Vietnam, Groveland contributed its share of fighting men. East Bradford men fought with
Page 3-5
Rogers and his rangers and were with the snowshoe men of Rowley in their forays against
the Indians. At least 39 who fought in the revolution are buried in Riverview Cemetery,
along with some 170 who answered Lincoln's call. Groveland had its full complement in the
Spanish war, both world wars, the Korean action, Vietnam and Desert Storm. An
interesting aside on our war memorials is the Civil War memorial located at the Groveland
Town Hall Complex. It was first erected and dedicated at Perry Park in 1866.
The oldest house in town is supposed to be the so-called Hardy house on King Street, which
was built in 1676. The second oldest house, the Hopkinson house, on Main Street built
around 1679. Incidentally, this house is still occupied by descendants of the builder.
In 1976, Groveland received a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant to build a
municipal complex in the Pines area. With primarily Federal and State funds, a Town Hall,
Police/Fire-Safety Building and a new Library, also known as Langley-Adams Library, were
built. The old Library building was sold in 1976 and is a private dwelling today. The old
Central fire station is now a flourishing Hair Stylist Salon. The old Town Hall is now a multifamily dwelling.
In 1982 the River Pines, a housing complex for the elderly and handicapped, was built with
federal funds on land adjacent to the Town Complex.
In 1982, the Shanahan School was torn down, a fact which rankles many residents today.
The entire area was converted to a soccer field except for one small portion of the site,
which was conveyed to the Historical Society. A building donated by Dr. Darke was moved
to that site and is today the home of the Groveland Historical Society.
Objects of interest in the Town, which may be viewed by the public, are Stickney’s Boulder
off Center St., the old cemetery that is a part of Riverview Cemetery, the Congregational
Church and the Paul Revere bell on Perry Park. Those who enjoy hiking and nature might
try a walking tour of the Town Forest, Meadow Pond Conservation Area or Veasey Memorial
Park. Interesting hikes can be found within Crane’s Pond Wildlife Management Area. As
there is no hunting on Sundays even during the height of the hunting season, Sunday walks
are always a good choice.
Thornton E. Pike, who contributed a major portion of this historical account of Groveland,
wrote most of this history in 1976. He died April 7, 1979.
Page 3-6
MAP 3-1: Town of Groveland 1872
Page 3-7
3C - POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS
The population of Groveland is approximately 6,500, with a population density of 690
people per square mile. According to the 2000 US Census, Groveland's population is 98.4
percent white with a median age of 37.6 years. The following table highlights the education
achievements of local residents and comparison to the United States-at large. The
percentage of Groveland residents that have high school diplomats and/or college degree is
well above the national average and in highlighted in Table 3.5.
Table 3. 5: Educational Status of Local Residents and Comparison6
Education Statistics
Number
Percent Local
Percent US
High School Graduate or Higher
3,652
92.3
80.4
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
1,351
34.2
24.4
Population Age 25 and Over
3,956
The following tables present the population distribution in Groveland according to household
type and age, respectively in Table 3.6. Table 3.7 indicates the total population by age
distribution.
Table 3.6: Households by Type6
Number of Households
Married Couple Family
Percent of Total
1,490
74.4
One Householder
289
14.0
Female Householder with
Children
164
8.0
Non-Family Household
351
17.1
Household size
6
2.93 persons per Household
US 2000 Census
Page 3-8
7
Table 3.7: Age Distribution
Number of Persons
% of Population
Under 5
445
7.4
5-9
508
8.4
10-14
530
8.8
15-19
430
7.1
20-24
178
2.9
25-34
629
10.4
35-44
1,245
20.6
45-54
935
15.5
55-59
298
4.9
60-64
221
3.7
65-74
355
5.9
75-84
216
3.6
48
0.8
85 & over
Male, total
2,992
Female, total
3,046
Total
6,038
According to the 2000 US Census, the average per capita income of a Groveland resident is
$25,430, which was slightly greater than the state average, and the median household
income was $69,167. The median household income was a little larger than the state
average income but less than the median household incomes of the neighboring
communities of Boxford and West Newbury. As of fiscal year 2006, the total taxable
property base is $893,243,699 with a tax rate of $9.59 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
For the fiscal year 2006, the Town’s appropriated budget is $11,652,926. In comparison,
the Town’s appropriated budget for fiscal year 1995 was only $2,361,038 or about five
times less than fiscal year 2006.
According to the 2000 US Census, of the 2,096 housing units in town, 80.4 percent are
owner occupied and the median value of a single family home was $223,200, which has
inflated to $386,714 in 2006, an increase of more than 73 percent.
Groveland has one elementary school, the Elmer S. Bagnall School services grades K-6.
This was an independent school until 1993 when all grades in Groveland, West Newbury,
and Merrimac became part of the Pentucket Regional School District. During the 1991-1992
school year, Groveland had a student population of 1,010 with 98.9 percent attending public
schools. For the 2005-06 school year, the total public Groveland student population is 690,
188, 320 and 30 students at the Bagnel Elementary School, Pentucket Junior High School,
the Pentucket High School, and the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School,
7
2000 US Census
Page 3-9
respectively. According to the Massachusetts Department of Education in fiscal year (FY)
2003, integrated cost per pupil was $5,887 with the state average of $6,779.
Groveland has an open town meeting government with a three person elected Board of
Selectmen. The town hall, police station, primary fire station, and library are all
conveniently located in the Town complex on Main Street. There is an another fire station in
South Groveland. The parking area and the grounds of the Town Hall Complex have been
expanded and re-landscaped respectively.
Within the Town limits, there are 61 acres of recreational fields for playing soccer, baseball
and softball, as well as playgrounds for children. Several citizens cooperated to construct a
basketball court and a playground at the Pines Recreation Area, and updated the
playground at the Washington Street Athletic Field. The town’s Recreation Committee offers
many active recreational activities for the youth of Groveland. The annual Riverfest, Veasey
Park Winter Festival, and Groveland Days are community events that offer recreation and
enjoyment for all ages.
Veasey Memorial Park offers many passive outdoor recreation opportunities as well as many
social and health-related activities and workshops. The Groveland Council on Aging also
offers a variety of activities and services for older residents of the community. Members of
Groveland’s three churches sponsor events and services, including a thrift shop, programs
for the elderly and summer vacation Bible schools for children. In distressing times, the
townspeople are united to raise money and lend emotional support to the victims of fire and
accidents.
Groveland faces many of the same problems as other small towns. The struggle to preserve
open space, repair roads, maintain its small town character, keep up with the constantly
increasing cost of education, and still provide the services demanded by a growing
population are enormous challenges. Many volunteers donate their time in Groveland as
members of the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee as well as Board of Health and
Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Assessors. Other citizens donate
their time to the Historical Society and Commission, Open Space Committee, Friends of the
Library, Friends of Veasey Park and Friends of Groveland Schools. This spirit of
volunteerism and service will be Groveland’s greatest strength while facing the challenges of
the 21st century.
HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS
According to the Groveland Community Development Plan, there is an estimated demand
for at least 151 affordable housing units. Of these proposed housing units, 74 percent
should be rental and the remaining 26 percent should be owner-occupied. This housing
would be planned to serve the needs of the elderly, families, and special needs.
The following two tables indicate the number of housing units per structure and their
occupancy status respectively, while Table 3.10 presents the sale price of a housing unit
over the past several years.
Page 3-10
8
Table 3.8: Housing Units
Structures
Percent of total
1 unit
1,835
87.5
2 unit
149
7.1
3 or 4 units
72
3.4
5 to 9 units
32
1.5
10 to 19 units
8
0.4
20 or more units
0
0.0
Mobile home
0
0.0
Total Units
2,096
Table 3.9: Housing by Occupant9
Number
Percent of Total Units
Owner occupied
1,686
86.2
Renter occupied
282
13.8
38
1.9
Vacant
Table 3.10: Average Housing Sales Price by Year10
Year
Price ($)
% Change
1990
158,000
-1.9
1991
133,000
-15.8
1992
140,000
+5.3
2001
289,000
+11.8 average annual increase
2004
386,714
+ 6.8 average annual increase
As of 2001, the average price of housing in Groveland was lower than most of the
surrounding suburban communities, as indicated by table 3.11.
8
2000 US Census
9
2000 US Census
10
Banker & Tradesman
Page 3-11
Table 3.11: Regional Housing Market, 200111
Single Family Homes
Community
Average Selling
Price
Condos
Number of
Sales
Average Selling
Price
Number
of Sales
Boxford
$480,400
118
n/a
0
Georgetown
$319,000
112
$529,500
4
Groveland
$289,900
61
n/a
2
Merrimac
$237,500
56
$197,450
10
North Andover
$400,000
363
$145,000
173
Rowley
$299,950
58
$149,000
5
Topsfield
$411,000
66
n/a
2
West Newbury
$392,450
36
n/a
1
The Groveland Building Inspector’s Office issues building permits for local construction.
According to this office, a total of 91 permits were issued for single-family housing and 38
permits were issued for units in multi-family housing from 2001 until 2005. The following
table summarizes this housing development.
Table 3.12: Residential Building Permits (New Construction) 12
Single family
Multi-family
2001
24
6
2002
20
16
2003
6
1
2004
20
7
2005
21
8
According to the US 2000 Census, 87.5 percent, or 1,835 units, of the housing structures
were single units as indicated by Table 3.13. Table 3.14 presents the number of units built
in a given year.
11
Larry Koff & Associates, First Steps: A Community Development Vision Action Plan for the
Town of Groveland
12
Groveland Building Inspector’s Office
Page 3-12
13
Table 3.13: Type of Structure
# Units
% of Total
1-unit
1,835
87.5
2-units
149
7.1
3 or 4 Units
72
3.4
5 to 9 units
32
1.5
10-19 units
4
0.4
20 or more units
0
0.0
Mobile home
0
0.0
Table 3.14: Year Structure Built14
Number of Units
2000 - 2005
Percent
129
6.1
42
2.0
1995 - 1998
152
7.3
1990 - 1994
159
7.6
30
1.7
1980 - 1988
247
13.6
1970 - 1979
86
4.7
1960 - 1969
537
29.6
1950 - 1959
277
15.3
1940 - 1949
69
3.8
581
32.0
1999 - March 2000
1989 - March 1990
1939 or earlier
13
2000 US Census
14
1990/2000 US Census & Groveland Building Inspector’s Office
Page 3-13
CULTURE AND RECREATION
Local Recreation Fields and Facilities:
•
The Pines Recreation Area (25 acres): baseball/softball, soccer, basketball, boating,
cross country skiing, youth playground, bird watching, picnicking, walking/jogging
•
Bagnall Elementary (10 acres): baseball/softball, general play, nature observing,
walking/jogging
•
Cedardale Tennis Club (10 acres): bicycling, hiking, pool swimming, tennis
•
Shanahan Recreation Area (8 acres): football/soccer, nature observing
•
South Groveland Playground (5 acres): baseball/softball, youth playground
•
Bradford Ski Hill: Offers skiing during the winter and has snowmaking capabilities.
Conservation Areas:
•
Groveland Town Forest: 35-acre wooded site with extensive network of trails that
extend into adjacent West Newbury conservation land.
•
Meadow Pond Reservation: 78 acres of woods, pond and vernal pools and laced with
an extensive trail system that extend into adjacent Georgetown conservation land.
•
Veasey Memorial Park: 48 acres of open fields and wooded trails along Johnson’s
Pond and around Nun’s Hill
•
Crane’s Pond Wildlife Management Area (Mass DFW): 2123-acre managed area for
wildlife and hunting as well as opportunities for hiking and wildlife observing.
3D - GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS
3D1 - PATTERNS AND TRENDS
According to the 1980 US Census the population was 5,040, and in 1990 and 2000, were
5,214 and 6,038 respectively. Between 1980 and 2004, the population of Groveland grew
by 28.4 percent. The Merrimac Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) predicts that the
Town’s population will increase to 9,489, at full build-out, which would be an increase of
about 57 percent from the population in the year 2000. In any event, if future population
trends are reasonably accurate, this will put stress on open space, conservation land, and
recreation facilities in the Town.
The following table compares the population growth between 1980 and 2000 in Groveland.
Page 3-14
Table 3.15: Population Trends
Persons
Percent, Average
Annual change
198015
5,040
199015
5,214
+0.35
15
5,332
+2.3
15
2000
6,038
+1.6
200415
6,472
+1.8
16
9,489
+ 4.7
1995
2010
Table 3.16 compares the population growth between 1980 and 2000 in Groveland and
surrounding communities:
Table 3.16: Comparison of Population Growth in Groveland and Region17
Municipality
2000
Population
1980 – 2000
Population Increase
% Change
Boxford
7,921
2,547
47.9
Georgetown
7,377
1,690
29.7
Groveland
6,038
998
19.8
Merrimac
6,138
1,687
37.9
27,202
7,073
35.1
Rowley
5,500
1,633
42.2
Topsfield
6,141
432
7.6
West Newbury
4,149
1,288
45.0
North Andover
Table 3.17 lists land classification by acreage, and it is easily evident that the greatest
amount of the Town is allocated to residential development (26.7 percent) and in a distant
second place at 5.0 percent is agriculture. Over the past several years, the amount of land
devoted to agriculture has been steadily decreasing.
15
16
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
17
2000 US Census
Page 3-15
18
Table 3.17: Land Use Classification
Acres
Residential
Percentage Of Total
1,604
26.7
Commercial
20
0.3
Industrial
58
1.0
300
5.0
3,298
54.8
Public/Recreation
422
5.0
Water
313
5.2
6,014
100
Agriculture
Undeveloped Land19
Total Town Area
The Groveland Zoning Map, Map 3-2, indicates the type of zoning activity that is allowed in
a particular section of town.
18
Larry Koff & Associates, First Steps: A Community Development Vision Action Plan for the
Town of Groveland
19
Includes wetlands
Page 3-16
MAP 3-2: Town of Groveland Zoning Map
Page 3-17
3D2 - INFRASTRUCTURE
3D2a - Transportation System
The development of transportation resources in the Merrimack River Valley, where
Groveland is situated, was shaped by the history of the region as a major site of American
industrial development in the nineteenth century. The area has exceptionally good highway
and rail facilities linking the major cities and towns to each other and to the port, airport,
and intermodal facilities of Boston.
•
Major Highways: Principal highways are State Routes 97 and 113. Major Interstate
Highways Routes 93, 495 and 95 are quite close and easily accessible.
•
Rail: Commuter rail service to Boston's North Station is available from neighboring
Haverhill and nearby Newburyport (travel time: 63-68 min.; MBTA parking).
•
Bus: Groveland is a member of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority
(MVRTA) but does not receive services. Authority (MVRTA) but has limited service to
Boston by MacGregor Smith Bus Lines with two regular stops in town, and several “flag”
stops available. The Council on Aging (COA) also provides a van for providing
transportation for the Town’s elderly population.
•
Waterways: There are nine coastal harbors in Essex County. The harbor in
Newburyport is used primarily for pleasure and small commercial craft. Groveland has
built a boat launch at the Pines Recreation Area and has an appointed Harbormaster.
Several residences along the Merrimack in Groveland have constructed their own
wharves or landings and there are several moorings along the banks.
•
Other: The Lawrence Municipal Airport, a Reliever facility (RL) located in North Andover,
is easily accessible. It has two asphalt runways 3,901 feet and 5,000 feet in length.
Instrument approaches available: Precision and non-precision. Flight Line and other
limousine services offers bus service to Logan Airport and Manchester Airport.
Table 3.18 lists the form of transportation that Groveland employees commuted to work.
Table 3.18: Commuting to Work20
Drove alone
87.3%
Carpools
8.3%
Public transportation
1.5%
Other means
2.0%
Walked
0.9%
Worked at home
2.0%
Average time to work
28.5 minutes
3D2b - Water Supply Systems
At the Annual Town Meeting of 1903, a committee on water supply was appointed to
ascertain the cost of different systems. A civil engineer was employed to present the Town
20
2000 US Census
Page 3-18
with plans and estimates of the cost of two systems. The first system involved connection to
the Bradford system, the pumping plant and reservoir being ample for both districts.
Advantages were a smaller initial cost and smaller operating expenses, and that Groveland
would be relieved of all care of the pumping station. For the second system, a reservoir on
Perry Hill and a pumping plant at Johnson’s Pond were recommended. The system would be
owned and controlled entirely by Groveland and would give more effective service in case of
a fire. The independent system was estimated to cost more than $40,000. As the Town’s
indebtedness was limited by legislative act to that amount, the committee did not consider
it further.
The residents of Groveland either received their drinking water from Haverhill, or had
private wells until 1964. The first of three town wells was drilled and a Standpipe installed
in 1965 on Perry Hill. A second well was drilled in 1972 and the third well drilled in 1980.
In October of 1979, it was discovered that two of the three town wells were contaminated
with trichloroethylene (TCE) that was released over a period of time by Valley Manufacturing
located on Washington Street. Prior to this discovery, Groveland had sold water to West
Newbury. Production well #1 has since been returned to service. Production well #2 has
been abandoned due to extensive contamination.
The Town subsequently installed two additional production wells [PW #3 & #4] behind the
Town Hall Complex. Water for Groveland’s groundwater supply consists of three gravel
packed wells. Well #1 at 462 Main Street, Well #3 behind the Pines recreation Area and
Well #4 further down the [Merrimack] River. Each of the wells can run independently of
each other. In 2004 there were 1820 active services connected to this water system and a
total of approximately 144 million gallons of water was pumped from these wells.
Currently, the majority of the community receives water from the Groveland Water
Department, though a small number of residents still receive their water from Haverhill
Water and Sewage Department, and the remainder of the residents rely on on-site private
wells. In 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency built a groundwater pump and
treatment system for contaminated groundwater in the aquifer near the former Valley
Manufacturing building. A copy of the latest update on the progress of contamination
cleanup at this site is found in Appendix A.
3D2c - Sewer Service
In 1976, the Federal Government along with the State dictated that because of pollution in
the Merrimack River, sewerage would be required in the Town. The installation was to be
done in four phases beginning with those houses directly along the river. Most of the first
two phases are complete. Phase four would include the rest of the Town.
The sewage is pumped to the Haverhill Waste Water Treatment Facility located off Salem
Street in the Bradford section of Haverhill. The sewerage is under the control and
jurisdiction of the Groveland Sewer and Water Department; the cost of this service is
apportioned by water usage of the water customer and the customer is charged accordingly.
3D3 - LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS
The evaluation of two sets of aerial photographs of the Town taken in 1951 and 1971
respectively provides good general indications of the changes resulting from development
activities within the past decades. This assessment reveals that urban, residential,
commercial, and industrial land uses have almost doubled. Total land occupancy in 1951 of
about 570 acres increased to approximately 1050 acres by 1971. This development
process, still in progress, has occurred not without toll on the quantity and quality of the
existing natural resources. In the process, nearly 22 percent of the Town’s wetlands have
been lost and more have been damaged.
Page 3-19
Should this trend continue with little control or preservation of open space and natural
resources, the affect of such growth would detrimentally impact both air and water quality,
reduce flood control, and significantly increase the demand on the Town’s total
infrastructure. Under fully built-out conditions, Groveland will look different than it does
today. There are still many large parcels of private, unprotected land remaining in the
community that could and most probably will be, if left unprotected, eventually become
residential development. This will be one of the most important objectives, to protect the
parcels that representative the best open space. In addition to the outright purchase of
land solely as open space, other tools should be considered such as the Conservation
Subdivision (CSD) bylaw and special state grants such as Agriculture Preservation
Restriction (APR), which preserves local farms.
The local CSD bylaw, also referred to as Open Space Residential Design (OSRD), was
recently adopted by Town Meeting and offers several incentives to a developer to conserve
open space in a new subdivision. When the developer sets aside 50 percent of the
subdivision as open space, excluding wetlands, the developer stands to gain cost saving
incentives as well as density bonuses when compared to the conventionally zoned
subdivision. A copy of Groveland’s CSD bylaw is found in Appendix B.
Zoning bylaws that require new homes to be built on lots of one acre or more with the
intent of controlling sprawling development actually encourage poorly designed subdivisions
that consume and fragment large tracts of land. Although the lots may be large, lawns
usually consume the wildlife habitat and other environmental, recreational and aesthetic
elements that open space provides, driveways and other paved surfaces that contribute to
environmental degradation and diminish community character. Conventional subdivision
zoning offers little flexibility in the planning process and often leads to time-consuming,
costly and antagonistic proceedings.
OSRD is not like older cluster bylaws and ordinances. The primary difference is the OSRD
sets aside open space based on resource values, not by formula. OSRD unlike some cluster
bylaws is written to ease the approval process, making the approval process for OSRD less
cumbersome and on par with the approval process for conventional subdivisions.
OSRD offers an alternative, by using a four step planning process that reverses the typical
subdivision planning process. First, the open space is designated; second, the houses are
sited; third the roads and trails are planned; and fourth, the lot lines are drawn.21
Our CSD Bylaw needs to be examined for potential changes that affect Open Space. First,
the Conservation Commission and GOSTC need to determine and identify potential
conservation areas in a CSD development and not the developers. Second, any land set
aside for conservation purposes needs to have a conservation restriction placed on the
deed.
21
Source: http://greenneighborhoods.org/site/Index.htm
Page 3-20
Section 4 – Environmental Inventory and Analysis
Section 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
This section presents an inventory of the Town of Groveland’s natural resources, including
its geology, soils, landscape character, and water resources. The town’s vegetation and
wildlife as well as its scenic resources and unique environments are discussed and defined.
The environmental challenges that the Town faces in order to protect and preserve some of
these dwindling natural resources are also discussed.
4A - GEOLOGY, SOILS AND TOPOLOGY
Soil characteristics are closely related to geological events. Most of the Town’s soil
associations are characterized by deep and well-drained soils formed in glacial till materials,
some of which are very stony. Poorly drained peat and muck soils constitute about 14
percent of the Town. Town of Groveland Soils Map, Map 4-1 shows the soils and geological
features throughout the Town. The U.S. Soil Conservation Service has identified the
following six general soil areas within the Town of Groveland:
•
Charleon-Sutton Association
This general soil area is characterized by deep, well-drained soils formed in firm glacial
till material with a hardpan at a depth of 3 to 5 feet. This soil association occupies about
31 percent of the Town. It occurs mainly in the southwestern and central parts of the
Town. The topography consists of low hills. Slope gradients range from about 5 to 20
percent; however, a few slopes are steeper than 20 percent.
•
Windsor-Hinckley Association
This general soil area includes droughty soils formed in deep deposits of sand or sand
and gravel. About 23 percent of the Town’s soils fall under this category. It occurs
mainly along the Merrimack River and the area northwest of Johnson’s Pond.
Topography consists of stream terraces, which are nearly level or gently sloping and
often interrupted by low hills with 15-25 percent slopes and eskers characterized by
steep sides where slopes range from 25 to 30 percent. This general soil area has good
potential as a high volume source of good quality ground water.
•
Hollis Association
The Hollis Association is stony and rocky, shallow-bedrock soils, lying on slopes ranging
from 3 to 35 percent. This association occupies about 11 percent of the Town,
concentrated in two general areas. One is in the southwest portion of Groveland at the
northwest corner of the Town of Georgetown, and the other is within the State’s Wildlife
Management Area in the eastern portion along the J.B. Little Road area of Groveland.
These locations are primarily rolling to steep, wooded hills that have numerous bedrock
outcrops.
•
Canton-Hinckley Association
This general soil area is composed of deep, well drained, stony soils formed in sandy
glacial till materials, and droughty soils formed in deep deposits of sand and gravel. This
association occupies about 15 percent of the Town area and occurs primarily in the
southern part of the Town along the Georgetown line. Where found, the topography is
very irregular, consisting of knolls generally rising less than 50 feet above the
surrounding terrain.
Page 4-1
•
Paxton-Woodridge Association
This association is characterized by deep, well-drained, very stony soils developed in
compact glacial till materials with a slowly permeable hardpan within 2.5 feet of the
surface. The association occupies about 6 percent of the Town, located in the northern
part of the Town around Wood Street. The topography is gently rolling to hilly, with
smooth, rounded hilltops with steeper sides that rise up to 250 feet above sea level.
•
Peat-Muck Association
These are very poorly drained soils formed in organic deposits. This association covers
about 14 percent of the Town area in low-lying land consisting of large swamps and
marshes adjacent to ponds, streams, and poorly drained intervales, a large portion of
which is located within the Parker River drainage area.
4B - LANDSCAPE CHARACTER
The topography of Groveland is characterized by many low, rolling hills of glacial deposits,
which in general are composed of non-stratified glacial debris that has not been moved by
water subsequent to deposition by ice. Slope gradients on the sides of these hills may vary
up to a maximum of 50 percent. Sand and gravel deposits were carried and released by the
melting water, as the ice front retreated northwestward. These deposits have been mined,
and constitute today the abundant pits of such deposits within the Town area. Map 4-2,
Town of Groveland Special Features, shows some of the interesting features of the town.
Another distinct type of landform related to glacial activities is the drumlin, an elongated
ridge created by the advance of an ice sheet. A drumlin is characterized by a relatively
steep slope on the head end, oriented into the ice in a generally northern direction, with a
flat top, which tapers gently toward the tail where it ultimately blends with the surrounding
topography. Although it is difficult in many cases to differentiate between a drumlin and
another type of glacial deposit, a till hill, it is believed that several hills within the Town are
drumlins, including the ones at the corner of Center and Washington Streets, Bare Hill,
Nun’s Hill, and the ridge between Wood and Center Streets. Drumlins were formed about
10,000 years ago. The last great ice sheet came through the area, plowing a great quantity
of mud in front of it. When the lump of mud became too big and heavy to push anymore,
the ice would ride up and over it, and continue on. That is what forms hills with this very
characteristic shape. The drumlin’s steep side has a heavy potential for runoff.
Topography varies throughout Groveland. The northern, more heavily settled section of the
Town is made up of gently rolling terrain with scattered hills that rise to a height of
approximately 250 feet above mean sea level. The terrain for the rest of the Town, with a
few notable exceptions, tends to be flatter and includes sizable freshwater wetland areas.
The Merrimack River forms part of the northwest limits of the Town.
Page 4-2
MAP 4-1: Town of Groveland Soils Map
Page 4-3
MAP 4-2: Town of Groveland Special Features Map
Page 4-4
4C - WATER RESOURCES
Groveland receives the majority of its drinking water from the Groveland Water Department
but a small portion is supplied by the Haverhill Water Department. The Groveland Water
Department obtains its groundwater from three production wells that pump groundwater
from a significant aquifer that flows approximately north to south toward the Merrimack
River, its final discharge point. Production Well #1 is located between Argilla and Johnson’s
Creek and bordered by Main and Center Streets. The remaining two wells are located
behind the Town Hall Complex and adjacent to the Merrimack River. An area of low
production, mostly Zone III, separates the high production areas of Well #1 and Well #3
and Well #4. The average monthly production for these wells for the first 5-months of 2006
was 10.6 million gallons per month. Well #1 was the most productive well during this 5month interval, and supplied 53 percent of the total water supply for the Town. Table 4.1
on the following page summarizes the monthly production for January through May 2006.
According to the EOEA Water Assets Study Community Report (June 2004), the EOEA
projected at 100 percent build-out that the average daily water demand for Groveland
would be 1.19 mgd. This represents 289 percent of the total Water Management Act (WMA)
regulated annual withdrawal for Groveland Water Department (0.41 mgd) and 74 percent of
the total DEP Approved Daily Volumes for the system (1.61 mgd). Though the 74 percent
figure appears optimistic, the 1.61 gpd is also the physical pumping capacity of the water
supply system, which, more than likely, could not be relied on for an extended period of
time.
All three wells are threatened by development, particularly, production Well #1. A multiunit affordable housing complex has been proposed adjacent to this well. Most of this
proposed development would lie over Zone II of the aquifer. Zone II is defined as the area
of an aquifer, which contributes water to a well under the most severe pumping and
recharge conditions that can be realistically anticipated, as defined in 310 CMR 22.00. Zone
III is defined as the land beyond Zone II from which surface water and groundwater drain
into Zone II, as defined in 310 CR 22.00.
Table 4.1 Total and Average Monthly Production for Wells #1, #2, & #3 (million gallons) 2006
Month
Well #1
Well #3
Well #4
Monthly Total
January
5.3
2.3
2.6
10.2
February
4.5
2.1
2.2
8.8
March
4.4
2.8
3.1
10.3
April
5.4
2.6
2.9
10.9
May
8.6
2.1
2.3
13
Average
5.6
2.4
2.6
10.6
The Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) Report (Appendix C) prepared for the
Groveland Water Department (January 9, 2002) by the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) made several recommendations to assist the Town to better protect its
water supply from potential sources of contamination through best management practices
(BMPs) and drinking water source protection measures. One recommendation in this report
was to acquire the land immediately surrounding production well #1 as a means of
protecting the quality of the groundwater. Subsequently, the Groveland Water Department
has implemented a comprehensive wellhead protection plan and inspected businesses in the
recharge area for potential sources of contamination. Public education and outreach has
Page 4-5
been used to keep the community aware of the quality of its drinking water as detailed in
the Groveland Water Department’s Annual Water Quality Reports.
In 1997, the Town also adopted an Aquifer Protection Bylaw (Appendix D), which restricts
and prohibits certain activities in the water recharge areas of the aquifer. This bylaw
prohibits certain activities within the recharge areas (Zone I, II and III), including landfills
and open dumps, automobile junkyards, storage of liquid hazardous materials and deicing
chemicals (unless stored inside a covered area), earth removal and surface spreading of
wastewater and/or sludge residuals. Groveland Water Resources Map, Map 4-3, appears on
the following page and delineates the locations of Zone I, II and III as well as the Town’s
three production wells.
This bylaw establishes a Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA), the responsibility of
which has been given to the Planning Board. The Board will hold public meetings to hear
from applicants who may have projects that may conflict with this bylaw but who believe
the proposed activity will have no negative impact and should be allowed. The Planning
Board may under certain conditions grant a special permit when such an activity does not
present a detriment to the aquifer.
Johnson’s Pond is a great pond classified as a drinking water supply by the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) and is afforded all of the protections that accompany such a
classification. The 1997 Groveland Open Space and Recreation Plan noted that according to
the Chapter 184 of the 1903 Acts of Massachusetts, Groveland is allowed to withdraw up to
500,000 gallons of water per day from Johnson’s Pond. The total surface area of Johnson’s
Pond is 225 areas and is situated within two towns, Groveland and Boxford. Seventy-eight
(78) acres of this pond lie within the Town of Boxford.
The City of Haverhill renewed its rights to the use of the water in Johnson’s Pond as a backup water supply. Though Groveland also has water assess rights, it has no immediate plans
to begin using water from Johnson’s Pond as a source of its drinking water supply. The
Town does not presently have a water treatment facility for this surface water supply. As a
protective measure, the DEP has a septic system setback from Johnson’s Pond of 400-feet,
while the Town of Groveland has a more stringent 500-foot setback. Nearby and older
septic systems present a threat to this pond. A significant surface area of this pond has
emergent vegetation due to an excessive inflow of nutrients. A management study of this
pond would help identify sources of pollution and remedial actions that could improve water
quality as well as its use as water supply to meet future water demand for the Town.
There is only a limited amount of recreational water usage in Groveland. At the present
time, there is no location for swimming, a situation that many town residents would like to
change. There has been discussion about using Johnson’s Pond as a swimming location, but
its classification as a drinking water supply now appears unlikely to change in the near
future. Even passive recreational uses are limited there and any expansion of those uses
would need to be approved by the State. The New Mill Pond was previously used for
swimming, but has been abandoned for swimming due to contamination. Many residents
would like to see it revived for swimming.
Boating is very popular on the Merrimack River, which can be accessed at the Pines
Recreational Area. There are canoeing and fishing opportunities in Meadow and Johnson’s
Ponds, as well as Crane’s Pond. Desirable game fish such as bass, trout and pickerel have
been caught at these sites. A State-funded boat launch is being developed at Veasey Park to
encourage fishing and canoeing on Johnson Pond.
The Groveland Bridge connecting Groveland and the Riverside section of Haverhill is a
drawbridge allowing the boat passage back and forth as this segment of the river is
navigable to the Atlantic Ocean.
Page 4-6
MAP 4-3: Groveland Water Resources Map
Page 4-7
WATERSHEDS
A watershed is a geographic area of land in which all surface and ground water flows
downhill to a common point, such as a river, stream, pond, lake, wetland, or estuary as
illustrated in Figure 4-1.
Streams, valleys, and drainage divides in Groveland are poorly defined. There are two
major drainage basins in the Town – the Merrimack and the Parker Rivers. Approximately
62.5 percent of the Town’s area lies within the Merrimack River drainage basin. The
remainder of the Town, 38.5 percent, is found within the Parker River drainage basin. The
Merrimack River collects most of the drainage from the northern and southeast sections of
the Town, while the Parker River drains most of the south southeastern sections. Johnson’s
Creek collects drainage from the Brindle Brook and the Argilla Brook sub-basins, before
discharging into the Merrimack River near the Haverhill-Groveland town line. Figure 4-2
details the river basins, or watersheds, of Massachusetts, including both river drainage
basins found in Groveland.22 These watersheds, the Merrimack and Parker Rivers, are
numbered 84 and 91, respectively on Figure 4-2.
Figure 4-1: A Typical Watershed 23
22
Commonwealth of Massachusetts River Basins and Coastal Drainage Areas
23
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/lakepond/downloads/LakeBook.pdf, Chapter 1:
Understanding Watersheds
Page 4-8
Figure 4-2: Commonwealth of Massachusetts River Basins and Coastal Drainage Areas24
4C2 - SURFACE WATER
4C2a - Ponds
Four major ponds can be found in the Town: Johnson’s Pond, Meadow Pond, New Mill Pond,
and Crane’s Pond.
•
Johnson’s Pond: Johnson’s Pond, the largest, is a Great Pond with a water surface
area of about 225 acres, of which 78 acres are within the Town of Boxford. Its
watershed area is approximately 3 square miles. The pond serves as a water supply
source for the City of Haverhill. Chapter 184 of the 1903 Acts of Massachusetts
authorizes the Town of Groveland to withdraw up to 500,000 gallons per day of its water
supply. Haverhill has filed to renew its DEP permit to draw water in 2004. [Note:
based on research in 1994-1995 by the Johnson’s Pond Study Committee, these Acts are
superseded by the DEP and DEM control of such bodies of water.
•
Meadow Pond: Meadow Pond lies at the outlet of Johnson’s Pond and is a man-made
pond controlled by an outlet structure with stop-planks at Salem Street. This pond is
normally about 8 feet deep at the outlet and quite shallow, with protruding tree stumps
and aquatic growth at the upper end. A management plan should be developed for this
pond, which could be part of a Management Plan for the Meadow Pond Conservation
Area.
24
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/lakepond/downloads/LakeBook.pdf, Chapter 1:
Understanding Watersheds
Page 4-9
•
New Mill Pond: New Mill Pond is situated just north of Center Street off Washington
Street, and is north of and downstream from Johnson’s Pond, Meadow Pond, and Old Mill
Pond, all of which are connected by Johnson’s Creek. A dam that is located behind the
old Highway Department Garage creates the pond. The pond was formerly used for
swimming and had a surface area of 4.5 acres. It is no longer used for swimming and
now has a reduced surface area. The beach area was accessed by a dirt road from
Washington Street. However, due to a lack of maintenance, the beach area has been
lost to overgrowth of brush and trees and general lack of use. Moreover, the use of the
area by the Groveland Highway Department limits any use of this area for recreational
purposes until this department moves this facility to its new facility on Center Street.
Most of New Mill Pond is located on land owned by the Archdioceses of Boston.
•
Crane’s Pond: Crane’s Pond is located in the eastern corner of the Town. This 21-acre
pond is surrounded by a shallow fresh-water marsh nestled within the Crane’s Pond
Wildlife Management Area owned by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
(Mass DFW). The pond is relatively shallow and supports a fish population comprised of
pickerel, large-mouth bass, sunfish (pumpkin seeds), and brown bullheads. The Parker
River meanders between Byfield Road and Crane’s Pond. The river enters near the
northeast corner and leaves near the northwest corner of the pond. The river continues
its meandering course until it reaches the Town of Newbury.
4C2b - Rivers and Streams
•
Merrimack River: The Merrimack River is the major waterway in the area and
connects this part of the State with the Atlantic Ocean near Plum Island. It is navigable
above Groveland. The river forms the 2.2-mile northern border of Groveland, a natural
boundary separating the Town of Groveland and the City of Haverhill. This segment of
the Merrimack River has been assigned an SB classification by the Mass DEP Division of
Watershed Management. This class designation indicates water suitable for aesthetic
enjoyment, recreational boating, wildlife habitat, and shell fishing is allowed but with
restrictions. This segment of the river has improved as it was previously designated as
SC. The SB classification means that the concentration (as colony forming units, CFU) of
E. coli in any representative water sample does not exceed 88 CFU per 100 ml nor shall
10 percent exceed 260 CFU per 100 ml of sample.
•
Parker River: The Parker River enters and leaves the Town in two places, and a large
portion of the Town is situated within its drainage area. About 900 feet of the river
crosses the Town at the very southern tip near the Boxford-Georgetown line. The river
again enters in the eastern part of Groveland from Georgetown, flows into Crane’s Pond
and out in an easterly direction. A total of 1.25 miles of the Parker River flows within
Groveland. Most of the Parker River watershed lies within the Wildlife Management Area
owned by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The Parker River
Watershed Assessment Report / 2001, states that 38.5 percent or 3.4 square miles lie
within the Town of Groveland. According to the EOEA Water Assets Study Community
Report, dated June 2004, this segment of the Parker River is classified as a “stressed
watershed” in part due to the excessive withdrawal of groundwater that causes sections
in the upper watershed of the river to dry up during the summer.
•
Johnson’s Creek: Johnson’s Creek originates at the outlet of Johnson’s Pond, connects
a series of ponds in the western part of the Town along Washington Street, and finally
flows into the Merrimack River at the Haverhill City line, a distance of about 1.4 miles.
It has two major tributaries, Brindle and Argilla Brooks, and flows generally in a
northerly direction. Beginning in 1995, Johnson’s Creek/New Mill Pond was the site of a
Superfund Cleanup program, which will be further detailed elsewhere in this plan.
Page 4-10
•
Brindle Brook: Brindle Brook is slightly over 1.1 miles in length and originates in the
southern section of the Town and near the Georgetown town line. Its confluence with
Johnson’s Creek is just south of Center Street about midway between Zackery Path and
Washington Street. Its entire length flows through or adjoins industrially zoned land.
•
Argilla Brook: Argilla Brook originates just north of Center Street and west of King
Street. It flows approximately 0.8 miles in a southwesterly direction, south to Center
Street and then turns northwesterly and crosses Center Street and flows near the old
railroad bed to its confluence with Johnson’s Creek. The total length of Argilla Brook is
approximately 1.8 miles, of which approximately 0.45 miles are located within the Zone
II of well #1.
In July of 2000, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife sampled the fisheries in Argilla
Brook. Their sampling indicated that this brook is an important nursery as well as a
general habitat for wild brook trout. Unfortunately, this specie depends on habitats that
are fairly intact and not stressed by development. As the surrounding undeveloped area
is lost, the survival of Argilla Brook as a nursery for these “brookies” will be doubtful. It
is not surprising that the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife recommended protecting this
valuable watershed.
•
Intermittent Streams: Smaller drainage channels exist throughout the Town, e.g.,
Cemetery Brook, which drains land in the populated area of Seven Star Road just north
of Governors Road and King Street, and Singing Brook, which flows from Spofford Pond
into Johnson’s Pond.
4C3 - AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS
The Groveland Water Department obtains its water supply from three production wells.
Groveland is fortunate to lie over a significant aquifer, which is a geologic formation
composed of rock, sand or gravel that contains significant amounts of potentially
recoverable groundwater.
The aquifer recharge area (Zone I and II) that supplies production well #1 is distinct from
production wells #3 and #4. The former two wells share the same recharge area. A Zone
III area of this aquifer lies between the Zone II areas of each of these two well systems.
The immediate recharge area, or Zone I, around each of these wells is required by law to
have a 400-foot radius. This area is under the control of the water department. Argilla
Brook and Johnson’s Creek are major streams that flow through the recharge area of
production well #1 and discharge into the Merrimack River. It should be noted that the
Town has protected just less than 60 acres of land around their three production wells,
which concerns the GOSTC as well as the Massachusetts DEP. The Town of Groveland
Aquifer Protection Map, Map 4-4, appears on the following page.
Page 4-11
Map 4-4: Town of Groveland Aquifer Protection Map
Page 4-12
4C4 - FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
Those areas in Groveland that are subjected to periodic flooding are identified as floodprone areas. Because of the hydrologic and topographic characteristics of Groveland, the
identification of flood-prone areas is divided between areas subjected to flooding from the
Merrimack River and all other interior areas located in Groveland subject to flooding from
interior waterways. The paucity of hydrologic data concerning the small streams within the
Town further dictates this distinction.
Flood-prone areas along the Merrimack River are easily identifiable because of the historic
data relative to Merrimack River flooding that have been compiled throughout the years by
various Government agencies. The flood of record occurred along the Merrimack in 1936
with a water surface elevation in Groveland of approximately 25.0 feet above mean sea
level (msl).25 The Corps of Engineers, since 1936, has constructed upstream flood control
reservoirs which would have a modifying effect, estimated by the Corps, of approximately
5.0 feet on the flood of record at Groveland. The Corps of Engineers in 1970 advised the
City of Haverhill to use the unmodified flood of 1938 to represent the modified 100-year
flood event. The Federal Emergency and Management Agency [FEMA] has established flood
plain limits for every community. Major storm events are typically compared to a 100-year
event. If a property lies within a 100-year event flood plain, the owner is required to have
federal flood insurance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development
[DHUD]. The FEMA flood map, which is referred to as the Flood Insurance Rate Map
(FIRM), indicates locations in Town that are prone to flooding. Of particular concern is Zone
A, which designates the 100-year flood plain that typically requires a property owner to
obtain subsidized federal flood insurance.
Identification of flooding in the interior waterways of Groveland is an entirely different
matter because of the lack of records of flood levels related to various rainfall events.
Performing a preliminary hydrologic/hydraulic analysis consisting of a data search,
interviews with Government agencies and local citizens, and a field reconnaissance
identified these flood-prone areas. This preliminary analysis can serve the community until
a detailed hydrologic analysis is performed, if needed, for greater precision of flood plain
delineation. The delineation of these flood-prone areas should aid in the establishment of
interim flood plain zoning by the Town. Groveland has limited developable land, and an
abundance of wetlands with flood plains that must be properly maintained and controlled to
prevent possible future consequences detrimental to the community.
The interior waterways in Groveland are generally on a fairly steep gradient, which tends to
minimize widespread flooding. Some areas are subjected to flooding along Johnson’s Creek,
Brindle Brook, Argilla Brook, and Cemetery Brook, and all their small-unnamed tributaries.
The flooding along these streams is greatly influenced by the vast amount of wetlands
located within Groveland along the streams and in the upper portions of the watersheds.
These wetlands have minimized the flooding in the interior part of Groveland so that there
have not been severe occurrences of over-bank flow and damage in the past. This should
not lull people into thinking that these streams would continue to be as amenable if the
wetlands were developed to any significant extent.
From a flood prevention standpoint, preservation of the wetlands in Groveland is an
essential element. The town has strengthened its Wetlands Protection bylaw, which extends
the buffer zone for building near wetlands to a 100 foot setback from the high water mark
of record. It cannot be stated often enough how important wetlands are for minimizing the
25
Note: Based on data from U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Supply Paper
Page 4-13
impact of flooding. Wetlands act like sponges by absorbing as well as storing water during
periods of heavy rainfall and surface runoff, thus, ameliorating the effect of flooding,
especially, downstream sections of streams associated with these wetlands.
The sponge-like behavior of wetlands is also important for maintaining flow in many
streams, which might otherwise dry up during intervals of low precipitation. Maintaining low
flow is extremely beneficial from a quantity and quality aspect. Wetlands also help purify
and cleanse water, which is important for water supply.
Table 4.2 gives the location and elevation of the 1938 flood at several key points along the
Merrimack for the Town of Groveland. This river level would be about 0.6 feet below the
low chord of the Groveland Bridge.
Table 4.2 Key Elevations of the 1938 Flood on the Merrimack River at Groveland, Massachusetts (Approximately
the Modified 100-year Flood Event)26
Location
River Mile
(miles above
mouth)
Elevation
(ft. above
msl)
Pentucket Regional
Middle School
14.20
17.5
Opposite Cranton Ave.
14.80
17.7
Pines Recreation Area
15.20
17.8
Groveland-Haverhill Bridge
(Route 97 Bridge)
15.70
18.0
Opposite Wharf Drive
16.24
18.1
Johnson’s Creek Outlet
16.33
18.1
4C5 - WETLANDS
Wetlands are a valuable, irreplaceable natural resource. They serve as a habitat for furbearing mammals, fish, and waterfowl. Such areas act as retention basins permitting a
gradual and continuous release of water into lakes and streams, and their filtering action
improves the water quality, an especially important consideration wherever the water is
used for recreational purposes or water supply. Wetlands often serve as nursery areas for
wildlife, especially, aquatic species when associated with larger bodies of water. They also
provide unique opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. In Groveland
wetlands, particularly, vernal pools are critical for the development and support for many
rare species of salamander and turtles, including the Blanding’s turtle.
Within the Town of Groveland, the following major types of wetlands have been
distinguished:
•
Open fresh water (ponds and streams)
•
Freshwater marshes (shallow and/or deep)
•
Shrub or wooded swamps
26
Note: Based on data from U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Supply Paper
Page 4-14
•
Meadows
•
Vernal Pools
The following definitions of these wetlands distinguish each by its water depth, soil
characteristics, and distinctive vegetation. The Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment
Station, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management base these definitions on the
wetland classifications used by the Office of River Basins of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and Department of the Interior as modified.
Although the range of water depth and vegetation characteristics during the year are the
major criteria in determining the classification of the wetlands, some level fluctuations of
surface and groundwater may modify a given wetland type. Such variation can be viewed in
terms of months or years, and may even be related to the operation of existing flow control
structures. Meadow Pond in South Groveland, for example, may meet the category of a
pond at one period of time but a deep marsh at another time.
•
Open Fresh Water: A wetland that is free of vegetation and covered with fresh, open
water in ponds or streams with a water depth greater than three feet during the growing
season.
•
Fresh Water Marshes (shallow and/or deep): A wetland that has soil saturated
with water. Shallow marshes are often covered with up to six inches of water during the
growing season, and usually some open water. The predominant vegetation is emergent,
including such plants as cattails, bulrushes, burr weed, pickerelweed, and arrowhead,
with some grasses and sedges present. Deep marshes have water depths from six
inches to three feet with fairly large open-water areas that are bordered by, or
interspersed with, emergent vegetation similar to that found in shallow marshes.
Floating and submergent plants such as water lilies, duckweed, watershield, and
pondweeds are also present in deep marshes. Birds found in these freshwater marshes
include American bittern, black duck, spotted sandpipers, red-winged blackbirds,
swallows, swamp sparrows, common and yellow-throated warblers, eastern kingbirds,
belted kingfishers, red-winged blackbirds, and catbirds, just to name a few. Common
mammals include muskrats, raccoons, beavers and river otters.
•
Shrub or Wooded Swamps: A wetland that usually lies on peat soil and dark-brown
fibrous moss containing organic matter overlaid by decaying vegetation a few inches
thick. The vegetated surface is level with standing water throughout the year. This
material is sponge-like. The soil during the growing season is often covered with as
much as six inches of water; the common woody species of vegetation are alder,
buttonbush, dogwood, and willow; sedges are usually present in tussocks.
•
Meadow: A wetland that has soil that is saturated with water through most of the
growing season, and surface water is present only for a short period during the spring.
Vegetation is predominantly grasses, rushes, and sedges. More woody vegetative cover
that stands on top of the peat layer characterizes shrub or wooded swamps. The
vegetative species may vary according to the soil moisture content. The tree cover
would include red maple, American elm, Atlantic white cedar, river birch, spotted alder
and some scattered ash. Wildlife that can be found in wooded swamps include birds
such as hairy and downy woodpeckers, swallows, flickers, belted kingfishers, catbirds,
wood thrushes, cedar waxwings, meadowlarks, sparrows, wood ducks, and migratory
warblers. Mammals that often pass through wooded swamps hunting for food include
fox, coyote, skunk, raccoons, otter and mink.
Page 4-15
•
Vernal Pools: According to the NHESP, vernal pools are unique wildlife habitats best
known for the amphibians and invertebrate animals that use them to breed. Vernal
pools, also known as ephemeral pools, autumnal pools, and temporary woodland ponds,
typically fill with water in the autumn or winter due to rising ground water and rainfall
and remain ponded through the spring and into summer. Vernal pools dry completely by
the middle or end of summer each year, or at least every few years. Occasional drying
prevents fish from establishing permanent populations. Many amphibian and
invertebrate species rely on breeding habitat that is free of fish predators.
As of April 6, 2006, the NHESP has reported that there are 25 certified vernal pools in
Groveland.
4D - VEGETATION
4D1 - GENERAL INVENTORY
The following table lists an extensive number of tree and ground vegetation species typically
found in Groveland. The Open Space Committee and Trails Committee, aided by other
appropriate committees and experts in town, will continue to augment this list over time, as
more information becomes available.
From May 31 through June 3, 2002, EOEA presented Massachusetts Biodiversities Days.
The Groveland Open Space and Trails Committee participated in this event and held a
wildlife inventory day on June 1, 2002 in the Meadow Pond Conservation Area. The
participants were divided into three groups that wandered the conservation area to identify
as many species of flora and fauna as possible. Participants also had the opportunity to
observe an area that is designated as rare habitat for the Blanding’s turtle and were
presented a detailed discussion by the Massachusetts DFW wildlife researchers.
Table 4-3. Inventory of Groveland Flora
Inventory of Groveland Trees and Shrubs
Apple
Domestic
Arrowwood
Northern
Ash
Mountain
White
Aspen
Big Tooth
Quaking
Beech
American
Birch
Black
Gray
River
White
Yellow
Bittersweet
American
Asiatic
Page 4-16
Blackberry
Blueberry
Common Highbush
Common Lowbush
American
Cedar
Red
Cherry
Black
Choke
American
Dogwood
Elderberry
Elm
American
Hazelnut
American
Hemlock
Eastern
Hickory
Pignut
Shagbark
Hornbeam
American
Hop
Honeysuckle
Japanese
Northern
Poison Ivy
Juniper
Trailing
Maple
Norway
Red
Silver
Sugar
Oak
Black
Pin
Red
White
Pine
Eastern White
Red
Pitch
Sassafras
Page 4-17
Spruce
Black
Blue
White
Sumac
Staghorn
Viburnum
Maple-leaf
Inventory of Groveland Ground Vegetation
Virginia Creeper
White
Weeping
Goldenrod
Staghorn
Maple leaf
Skunk Cabbage
Aster
Water Hemlock
March Marigold
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Violet, several varieties
Early Saxifrage
Dandelions
Dutchman’s Breeches
Gold Thread
Lily of the Valley
Wild Oats
Wild Geranium
Nightshade
Wild Blueberry
Wild Strawberry
Cranberry
Black Raspberry
Red Raspberry
Elderberry Bittersweet
Solomon’s Seal
Winter Green
Swamp Azalea
Rhododendron
Wild Red Columbine
Lady’s Slipper
Greenbrier
Button Bush
Yarrow
Wild Roses
Milkweed
Evening Primrose
Purple Vetch
Golden Ragwort
Cinnamon Fern
Hepatica
Wild Grape
Celandine
Thistle
Catnip
St. John’s Wort
Loosestrife
Page 4-18
Inventory of Groveland Ground Vegetation
Water Hemlock
Bloodroot
Black-eyed Susan
Pearly Everlasting
Bayberry
Christmas Fern
Sweet Fern
New York Fern
March Fern
Brake Fern
Royal Fern
Christmas Fern
4D2 - FOREST LAND
Large portions of drier soils within the Town have generally been favorable for farming since
the early settlement. Noting the extreme rockiness of the soils, most of the cleared land
was undoubtedly pasture land with the flatter, less rocky areas being reserved for crops.
Judging from the height and species composition of the trees, large portions of the forest
area must have been cut over at least once. Uniform cycles of forest growth and
reproduction have been taking place subsequently to the abandonment of farms, especially
those on rough land. Abandoned fields will re-seed naturally initially with white pine, gray
and black birch, quaking aspen and sumac. In time, hickory and oaks will develop as a
climax forest begins to take hold.
On heavier soils, stands of hickory, sugar maple, beech, and some hemlock can be found.
In general, the existing combination of wooded land, farmland (abandoned and/or
cultivated), and the various types of wetlands provides good habitats for a relatively wide
range of species of both flora and fauna. Additional wildlife species, not necessarily typical
to wetlands but closely dependent upon them, are ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant,
woodcock, and wild turkey. Mammals usually associated with the existing forestland include
the gray and red squirrel and jackrabbit. Deer found in the area are only incidental.
4D3 - AGRICULTURAL LAND
Areas in Groveland, which are still open and have productive agricultural, are typically the
most easily developable land because their deeper soils make excavation easier, drainage is
good, and they lack wooded cover. These areas have outstanding potential for just about
any type of development, such as housing or recreation areas. These deep productive soils
are becoming rare as Groveland becomes more developed. As agricultural land disappears,
the Town is losing a valuable resource and a way-of-life.
Considering the remaining buildable land and the speculative opportunity for intensive
development in Groveland, it is difficult for local farmers to justify holding on indefinitely to
an agriculturally productive piece of property. Hopefully, a few of these agricultural
properties will be saved through conservation restrictions or Agricultural Preservation
Restriction, thus, keeping some land in agricultural production.
4D4 - WETLAND VEGETATION
Wetlands are a valuable, irreplaceable natural resource. They serve as a habitat for both
flora and fauna. Predominant emergent vegetation includes cattails, bulrushes, burrweed,
Page 4-19
pickerelweed, and arrowhead, as well as some grasses, sedges, and the ubiquitous purple
loosestrife. Wetlands with significant water depths, typically greater than three feet, have
characteristic floating and submergent plants such as water lilies, duckweed, and
watershield. Other types of local wetland vegetation include some common woody species
such as speckled alder, buttonbush, red twig dogwood, winterberry, and several species of
willow; sedges are often present as tussocks.
4D5 - RARE SPECIES
Map 4.5, Biomap and Living Waters published by the NHESP is a helpful source for
identifying rare species of local flora and fauna as well as the natural communities that exist
in Groveland. The map delineates core habitats that identify the most critical sites that
should be considered for biodiversity conservation locally and statewide. This report also
lists rare species and natural habitat found in each of the Massachusetts communities. The
section of this document that is devoted to Groveland can be found in Appendix E.
According to NHESP, core habitats represent a wide diversity of rare species and biodiversity
as well as the most viable rare plant and animal species and exemplary natural communities
and aquatic habitat. One of the best ways to protect biodiversity for future generations
from human impact is to protect core habitat through conservation. Core habitat is
indicated in dark green on the Core Habitat Map. This map shows that a large portion of
Groveland is shaded in dark green. This core habitat includes Crane’s Pond Wildlife
Management Area, the Groveland Town Forest and most of South Groveland, which includes
a portion of “Turtleland”.
As indicated by Table 4.4, there are several rare species of turtles and salamanders that are
listed by NHESP that are found in Groveland. These species include the wood and
Blanding’s turtles as well as the blue-spotted and four-toed salamanders that are listed as
species of special concern, except the Blanding’s turtle is listed as a threatened species.
The blue-spotted salamander is classified as a species of special concern by the NHESP.
The author of one book on amphibians states that, although she has spent many years
studying salamanders in the wild and is considered an expert in the field, she has never
actually seen a blue-spotted salamander in the wild. The existence of this rare species in
Groveland has been documented by the NHESP.
As a result of an ongoing Blanding’s turtle study involving sections of South Groveland,
including the Meadow Pond Conservation Area, and Northwest Georgetown, more than fifty
adult Blanding’s turtles have been trapped, marked and released. The Massachusetts
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife consider this area, to have the second largest population of
these rare turtles. As part of this study, turtles are trapped/captured so they can be
weighed, examined for general health and vigor, marked for identification and their location
documented. They are then returned to the wild.
Ospreys have been frequent visitors to Johnson’s Pond area and a red-shoulder hawk was
observed regularly in this area during the winter of 2004 through 2005. Snowy Owls have
also drawn “birders” to this area. The great egret is another majestic bird that has been
observed. It is distinguished from the similar great blue heron by it white feathers and a
yellow bill and long black legs. Other birds that attract visitors to this area are bluebirds
and bobolinks.
Obviously, Groveland is still blessed with a large amount of core habitat, which makes
protecting habitat even more crucial. Table 4.4, Flora and Fauna in Groveland Core Habitat
lists Groveland’s rare flora and fauna.
Page 4-20
4D6 - UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCES SITES
The area in South Groveland referred to as “Turtleland” includes several vernal pools, small
streams, and a large beaver impoundment as well as a sphagnum bog. The Crane’s Pond
Wildlife Management Area, a large section of which lies within Groveland, also has a large
number of vernal pools and several large beaver impoundments. Many species of wetland
vegetation inhabit Meadow and Johnson’s Pond. Since the Merrimack River forms the
northern border of Groveland, this provides another unique environment for wetland flora.
4E - FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
Groveland provides great habitat for a variety of wildlife. A large area of the Town is owned
and managed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW). There is a
growing trend among residents of Groveland, as evident by the 1995 and 1997 town
surveys, which are found in Appendix F, and by the large number of residents that typically
turnout to vote in favor of open space and natural resource protection articles at Town
Meetings and on voting days. The 1997 survey, Town of Groveland Community Survey
Master Plan Study, was part of the Master Plan. Many of the residents feel that the
presence of open space and wildlife is a major factor in their decision to move to or remain
in Groveland. The Veasey Memorial Park/Meadow Pond vicinity is particularly rich in
wildlife, as it represents an “intersection” of several different ecological environments: pond,
forest, marsh, open field and meadow. Wildlife that can be observed in this area are deer,
osprey, great horned owls, great blue herons, kingfishers, egrets, beaver, red fox, fisher,
wood, painted, Blanding’s and snapping turtles, woodchucks, muskrats and river otter, to
name some of the species.
Page 4-21
MAP 4-5: The NHESP Biomap and Living Waters
Page 4-22
Table 4.4: Rare Species in Groveland Core Habitat 27
Town
Taxonomic
Group
Scientific
Name
Common
Name
State
Rank
Federal
Rank
GROVELAND
Amphibian
Ambystoma
laterale
Bluespotted
Salamander
SC
2004
GROVELAND
Amphibian
Hemidactylium
scutatum
Four-toed
Salamander
SC
2004
GROVELAND
Bird
Botaurus
lentiginosus
American
Bittern
E
1992
GROVELAND
Bird
Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
Bald Eagle
E
GROVELAND
Bird
Ixobrychus
exilis
Least
Bittern
E
1992
GROVELAND
Bird
Vermivora
chrysoptera
Goldenwinged
Warbler
E
1991
GROVELAND
Fish
Acipenser
brevirostrum
Shortnose
Sturgeon
E
GROVELAND
Fish
Notropis
bifrenatus
Bridle
Shiner
SC
1998
GROVELAND
Mussel
Ligumia nasuta
Eastern
Pondmussel
SC
historic
GROVELAND
Reptile
Clemmys
insculpta
Wood Turtle
SC
2000
GROVELAND
Reptile
Emydoidea
blandingii
Blanding's
Turtle
T
2004
GROVELAND
Vascular
Plant
Houstonia
longifolia var.
longifolia
Longleaved
Bluet
E
historic
GROVELAND
Vascular
Plant
Scirpus longii
Long's
Bulrush
T
2001
GROVELAND
Vascular
Plant
Sparganium
natans
Small Burreed
E
1957
(PS:LT,
PDL)
LE
Most Recent
Observation
1999
1991
T = Threatened, E = Endangered, SC = Special Concern
LE = Listed Endangered, PS:LT,PDL = Partial Status: List threatened, Proposed for delisting
27
Last updated: 12/27/2005 Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
Page 4-23
4E1 - INVENTORY
Table 4-5, Inventory of Groveland Wildlife, provides a partial list of some common and rare
local flora & fauna that are found in the Town of Groveland. Within this inventory listing are
mammals, birds, fish, mollusks and crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles.
Table 4-5: Inventory of Groveland Wildlife
Inventory of Groveland Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
Raccoon
Short-tailed Shrew
Gray Squirrel
Porcupine
New England Cottontail Rabbit
Woodchuck
Fisher
Coyote
Beaver
White-Tailed Deer
Gray Fox
Deer Mouse
Flying Squirrel
Skunk
White-footed Mouse
Red Squirrel
Opossum
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Muskrat
Weasel
Snowshoe Hare
Star-nosed Mole
Red Fox
Vole
Inventory of Groveland Amphibians
Spotted Salamander
Gray Tree-frog
Marbled Salamander
Red-backed Salamander
Blanding’s Turtle
Red-spotted Newt
American Toad
Blue-Spotted Salamander
Spring Peeper
Leopard Frog
Four-toed Salamander
Bullfrog
Spring Salamander
Inventory of Groveland Fish
Largemouth Bass
Pike
White Crappie
Brook Trout
Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Atlantic Salmon
Pickerel
Black Crappie
Shad
Yellow Perch
American Eel
Shortnose Sturgeon
Smallmouth Bass
Alewife
Rainbow Trout
Sturgeon
Inventory of Groveland Mollusks and Crustaceans
Crayfish
Garden Slugs
Garden Snails
Fresh Water Snails
Fresh Water Clams
Oriental Spiral Snail
Page 4-24
Inventory of Groveland Reptiles
Spotted Turtle
Northern Water Snake
Ring-necked Snake
Musk Turtle
Painted Turtle
Snapping Turtle
Garter Snake
Wood Turtle
Black Racer
Milk Snake
Inventory of Groveland Birds
Great Cormorant
Herring Gull
Wood Duck
Black Duck
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed
Gull
Mallard
Canvasback
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Wood Duck
American Bittern
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Ring-necked Duck
Common Merganser
Common Nighthawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Shrike
Catbird
Kingfisher
Wild Turkey
Baltimore Oriole
Tree Swallow
Ruffed Grouse
Broad-winged Hawk
Barn Swallow
American Crow
American Coot
American Kestrel
Tufted Titmouse
Nuthatch
Mourning Dove
Ring-necked Pheasant
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Mockingbird
Killdeer
Red-winged
Blackbird
Eastern Bluebird
Cardinal
Bobolink
Cedar waxwing
Rock Pigeon
Goldfinch
Robin
Eastern Wood Pewee
House Finch
Piliated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Rufous-sided
Towhee
Evening Grosbeak
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-capped
Chickadee
Mute Swan
Osprey
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied
Woodpecker
Canadian Goose
Broad-winged Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
Green-winged Teal
Cooper’s Hawk
Eastern Phoebe
Northern Flicker
Bufflehead
American Kestrel
Yellow Warbler
House Wren
Great-horned Owl
Saw-whet owl
Starling
Barn Owl
Screech Owl
Barred Owl
Small-eared Owl
Birds are a particularly rich and varied wildlife in Groveland. Veasey Memorial Park and the
Meadow Pond Conservation Area are wonderful areas to observe many species of birds.
During Biodiversity Day 2002, the Groveland Open Space & Trails Committee and the Parker
River Clean Water Association sponsored a wildlife identification event. In the spring of
Page 4-25
2005, the Groveland Open Space & Trails Committee, with assistance from the Friends of
Veasey Park, established a nesting box program at Veasey Memorial Park. In the spring of
2006, there were 15 nesting boxes installed at this site. The prime purpose of this program
is to encourage the nesting of bluebirds. The Veasey Memorial Park Committee also decided
not to mow the main field until after July. Though this affects the quality of the cut hay, the
field attracts bobolinks that are now nesting in the uncut field. Also, by delaying the moving
until later in the season creates a better habitat and variety of butterflies that flit about the
field. A summary of the 2005 and 2006 nesting box seasons can be found in Appendix G.
4E2 - CORRIDORS FOR WILDLIFE MIGRATION
The Crane’s Pond Wildlife Management Area, Veasey Memorial Park, Meadow Pond
Conservation Area and Groveland Town Forest as well as larger tracts of undeveloped and
privately owned lands are used as migratory corridors and refuges for migrating bird
species, especially for spring and fall warbler migrations, as well as areas for habitat and
foraging sites for year-round wildlife. Natural greenways, including Johnson’s Creek, Brindle
and Argilla Brooks, the Merrimack River and the several utility easements that transverse
the Town assists many wildlife species to navigate their way through the developed sections
of town. The Merrimack River is an important wildlife corridor for raptors and great blue
herons during seasonal migration.
The Groveland Greenway Map, Map 4-6, highlights important wildlife corridors. There have
been three greenways identified in Groveland that extend into the bordering communities.
These corridors are:
•
Argilla Brook
•
Johnson’s Creek
•
Town Forest
Page 4-26
MAP 4-6: Groveland Greenway Map
Page 4-27
4F - SCENIC AND UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS
This Plan considers scenic and unique environments, i.e., landscapes with pleasant natural
and significant cultural components, should be thought of as a valuable resource that
enhances the character and value of the Town. Special attention needs to be given to those
areas with excellent views and scenic vistas. This is especially the case for hilltops, which
have been a key reason for protecting such locations as Nun’s Hill and the Town Forest.
Town of Groveland Scenic Resources and Unique Environments, Map 4-7, on the following
page shows many of the scenic and unique environments in town. This map is an excellent
reference for this section of the report.
4F1 - SCENIC LANDSCAPES
Because of Groveland’s open space, rolling hills and semi-rural setting, scenic views are not
rare in town. The Johnson’s Pond area, which is abutted by Veasey Memorial Park, is well
known for its scenic views. From Washington Street, one can look across the pond and see
a view of almost unspoiled natural beauty. Although very close to development, this vista,
complete with its great variety of wildlife, feels as if one is in a more remote setting.
The view from Nun’s Hill does not extend over a tremendously great distance, but still offers
a panorama greater than 180 degrees. Many local residents walk to the top of the hill not
only for the views but to picnic and spend some time enjoying this panorama. This is also a
wonderful area for passive recreation in all seasons. In the winter, sledding, cross-country
skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities, when snow is available. The sight of families
sledding in the snow against the beauty of the hill and its surrounding area brings to mind a
classic painting or holiday greeting card. The lone oak tree that stands in the middle of the
field and angled against the hillside is a familiar local sight.
The area in which the Parker River flows through is another site of natural beauty. Crane’s
Pond, through which this river flows, is protected and lies within the Crane’s Pond Wildlife
Management Area that is owned and managed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
and Wildlife is surrounded by extensive marshes and forest. This unspoiled area of pond
and forest is available for hiking and canoeing. Also, the views from the top of Cedardale
(Bare Hill), King St, and Hill View Farm Road offer opportunities for great vistas.
Meadow Pond is a marsh of natural beauty and habitat with many species of wildlife. A
network of trails allow for many views of this area. There are several open views of the
Merrimack River along Main Street, which provide views of this large river as it flows toward
its confluence with Atlantic Ocean. This section of the river from Haverhill though Groveland
and to Amesbury, Massachusetts is classified as navigable.
Though this is not a complete list of scenic landscapes in town, it notes the popular and
well-known landscapes.
Page 4-28
MAP 4-7: Town of Groveland Scenic Resources and Unique
Environments
[Missing]
Page 4-29
4F2 - MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OR UNUSUAL GEOLOGIC FEATURES
Veasey Memorial Park has an established recreational value, in that its slopes are used for
sledding in the winter, and its trail system is used for hiking and nature walks in the warmer
weather. As previously noted, several of the hills in town, especially the Veasey Park Hill,
are drumlins, an unusual glacial feature. Town Forest Hill is another high point in town
worth exploring.
Stickney’s Boulder, which lies next to Center Street between King Street and Rollins road, is
an interesting geologic feature. The boulder is quite large and was dropped by the
retreating glacier during the last ice age. The boulder is located in the Crane’s Pond Wildlife
Management Area and easily seen from the street. It is also a kid-magnet as many a
youngster makes the attempt to climb the glacier erratic. There are several rock
outcroppings behind Stickney’s Boulder that are unique glacial features. Also, the area
around Nobble Squid (sometimes known as Nobble’s Squib) contains many visually
fascinating rock outcroppings and a sheer rock face.
There are several rocky outcroppings in the Crane’s Pond Wildlife Management Area, one of
particular note can be located by following a trail off of the eastside of J. B. Little Road. This
outcropping is amongst a scattering of vernal pools and will take a little effort to reach the
pinnacle of this rocky outcropping.
4F3 - CULTURAL, ARCHEOLOGIC AND HISTORIC AREAS
The Groveland Historical Society has published a book that describes in detail the history of
the Town. The southern part of Groveland was separated from the northern part of the
Town for many years, due to the insular nature of the mill community and its supporting
retail and cultural institutions. The mill history of the Town is certainly one of its most
notable characteristics. Since the buildings on Nuns’ Hill (Veasey Memorial Park) were
originally constructed by the owner of several of the large mills in Groveland, there has
been increased historic interest in the property. The Veasey Memorial Park Management
Committee is responsible for maintaining the buildings and grounds, and has worked hard
over the past several years to keep up with this task.
The archaeological work of Fred Luce, an amateur archaeologist, turned up evidence of
Native American campsites, fire pits and artifacts throughout the Town in the 1940’s. He
located campsites west of King Street near the intersection of Center Street, as well as a
campsite adjacent to a swampy area north of Center Street and between its intersection
with Rollins Road and Seven Star Road. Many of the artifacts discovered by Luce now
reside at the Buttonwoods Museum in Haverhill, MA. It is commonly accepted that the
Pentucket Indian Tribe, a division of the Pennecook Tribe, lived in the Groveland area along
the Merrimack River. The Agawam people were centered around Ipswich to the south, so it
is possible that sections of the Town were inhabited by Agawam as well, especially near the
Parker River. Additionally, newspaper articles and reports available at the Buttonwood
Museum in Haverhill account for the discovery of Native American gravesites in the following
locations:
•
A report of a field meeting of The Essex Institute from June 27, 1860 reports of a visit to
the property of William Balch at Balch’s Grove. On a walk from the train station to
Balch’s Grove the group was shown a hill, “whose loose soil, now overgrown with rye,
anciently served for an Indian Burial Ground.”
•
Included in the report by William K. Moorehead of an archaeological expedition along the
Merrimack River, three camps and one burial ground are identified in South Groveland.
Page 4-30
•
A newspaper account from August 1, 1911 reported the unearthing of a skeleton during
the excavation for a playground near the Boston and Maine Depot in Groveland. The
ridge where it was discovered was said to be the location of a Native American Village
according to older residents who were questioned about this discovery.
•
A newspaper account from July 18, 1932 reports the discovery of a two-hundred-andfifty-year-old, seven-foot tall man also in the vicinity of the Boston and Maine Depot,
whose origins remain a mystery.
•
Other local discoveries include a skeleton discovered while water pipes were being
installed at the home of Ralph Esty. All the graves were in close proximity to one
another and near the Merrimack River and the old Boston and Maine Depot.
An excerpt taken from the Groveland Bicentennial Report of 1976 reported on the status of
local Native Americans campsites reads as follows:
Any type of digging in Groveland Territory could reveal, still more, of that which
Mr. Luce did not uncover … Many of the fire pits, camp sites, and a wealth of
artifacts have been ‘lost forever’ as these fell to the bulldozers push of progress
in housing developments, in Groveland. There are still some untouched areas,
and hopefully, when located will be properly researched for adding to the Town’s
pre-history.
4F4 - UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS
Johnson’s Pond and Meadow Pond and the surrounding undeveloped area have attracted the
interested of many Town’s people. This area offers many opportunities to get out and
commune with nature and relieve one’s nature-deficit. Back in 1997 a Johnson’s Pond
Study Committee was commissioned by the Board of Selectmen in order to study this pond
and its potential use as a water supply and passive recreation area. This committee
stimulated much interest in this area and ultimately lead to the Town purchasing a 48-acre
parcel know as Nun’s Hill that overlooks Johnson’s Pond, though officially referred to as
Veasey Memorial Park. Many residents feared that allowing Nun’s Hill to be developed
would have adversely affected the water in Johnson’s Pond. For some, this was the primary
reason for supporting the effort to set the present Veasey Memorial Park property aside as
conservation land.
Haverhill has re-applied to use the water from Johnson’s Pond, beginning in 2004, as part of
its water supply and has been granted that right. Groveland has rights to 500,000 gallons
per day.
The 70-acre Meadow Pond Conservation Area that is situated immediately southeast of
Veasey Memorial Park has been capturing the interest of many individuals, including local
conservations, biologists and Mass DFW. This interest has been stimulated; as a result of
this area being identified as habitat for some rare species, mostly, the Blanding’s turtle as
well as blue-spotted and four-toed salamanders. This area lies in the corners of three
communities – Groveland, Georgetown and Boxford. Georgetown has protected a
significant acreage, covering close to 800 acres. Hopefully, the remainder of the
unprotected land can be secured for herpes habitat.
Another unique environment in Groveland is certainly Town Forest Hill, which is one of the
highest points in town. The summit can be accessed by a wooded trail with its trailhead on
Wood Street. The Town Forest also connects with conservation land and trails in West
Newbury that compliments the walk around the summit of Town Forest.
The Mass DFW owns and manages over 2100 acres know as the Crane’s Pond Conservation
Area, which is situated within the Towns of Newbury, West Newbury, Georgetown and
Page 4-31
Groveland. Approximately, 2/3rds of this conservation land is located in Groveland. The
conservation area is laced with many woodland trails and cart roads. Though an active
hunting site, there are endless opportunities for simply observing wildlife and getting some
passive exercise whether it is walking in the warmer weather or snowshoeing in the winter.
Its namesake, Crane’s Pond is located in the southeast section of this management area.
4G - ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
Manufacturing is not a significant industry in Groveland, and the Town is still considered
having a small-town character. Though there has not been much industrial development,
residual development is certainly another story. The plethora of residential building has
been a major concern in the Town as farmland and open space are consumed, and the rural
character of the Town will be in its past. Obviously, if development is not effectively
planned, the Town will eventually lose its small-town charm.
All three of the Town’s production wells are becoming encroached with development. The
Massachusetts DEP noted this fact in its Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) report
(Appendix C), dated January 11, 2002, and recommended that additional land should be
protected that is contiguous to production well #1. Presently, this well is situated on about
36 acres of land. Though there is significant amount of undeveloped land surrounding this
well, it is private land and will be developed. In fact, there is an affordable housing project
currently being proposed that has a purchase and sale agreement on more than half of this
sensitive area that borders production well #1.
Production wells #3 and #4, which are located behind the Town Hall Complex, are situated
on 12.0 and 10.3 acres of land respectively. Both these parcels abut existing development
and there is no opportunity to acquire additional land to buffer the wells from encroaching
development. When these wells were installed, a cemetery, a low-income apartment
complex, the Pines Recreation Area and the Town Hall Complex, bordered these wells.
Subsequent to their installation, a 43-unit condominium complex has been built and the
Town has expanded the Town hall parking area, which abut these wells and lie directly over
Zone II of this aquifer. In addition, the Town is also considering building another affordable
housing development on a one-acre parcel of land that lies between the existing low-income
apartment complex and the Main Fire Station. In short, development will continue to be a
significant factor in the quality of the Town’s groundwater.
In the DEP SWAP report dated January 9, 2002, this agency ranked all town wells as highly
susceptible to becoming contaminated. This was due to land uses and activities within its
recharge area. This report also makes the following specific recommendation regarding
production well #1:
The Town of Groveland is fortunate that the Main Street Well #1 zone II still has
significant forest … however; future development of this Zone II is a major
concern. The Department [DEP] recommends that the Town acquire Zone II land
closest to the Zone I or land that is subject to high-risk development.
Unfortunately, since this recommendation there has been no additional land protected in
this aquifer, and since the dire warning regarding future and nearby development, there is
now an affordable housing development being proposed on land adjacent to this well. Not
only will this development be located in close proximity, it will also be directly over the Zone
II recharge area of the aquifer. Though the Town applied for and received a Self-Help Grant
from the EOEA in order to purchase a 52-acre parcel adjacent to this well, the developer of
this mentioned project, went around the Town and negotiated a purchase and sale
agreement for the land with the owner of this parcel.
Page 4-32
Another concern regarding the aquifer that supplies production well #1 is that a significant
amount of sand and gravel has been removed from the surface that lies over Zone II. This
situation has resulted in the water table being closer to the surface, making the aquifer
more vulnerable to contamination. Production well #1 also supplies more than 50 percent
of the Town’s water supply so its protection is vital.
The proposed development over the Town’s water aquifer will directly affect this
groundwater recharge area, which could eventually seriously impact the future well
productivity and increase the chance for groundwater contamination. Another serious
threat facing production well #1 is the nearby Superfund Site, which Valley Manufacturing
has contaminated the aquifer principally with trichloroethylene. Fortunately, the EPA has
constructed a groundwater treatment plant that has been successful in containing the offsite migration of this contaminant as well as groundwater treatment.
Failing septic systems are another concern as they may contaminate groundwater and
surface water. They can also release pathogens into the environment. When the leachate
from a failing septic system contaminates a pond, this body of water will often experience
eutrophication. The leachate acts like as a fertilizer creating a cycle of excessive plant
growth and die-off as well as algae blooms that deprive the pond of oxygen, an essential
element for a healthy pond. There are probably several septic systems at any given time
that need to be replaced, but because of the expensive installation of a replacement system
many people delay this project.
Meadow Pond and sections of Johnson’s Pond are experiencing eutrophication, which is
evident by the excessive growth of emergent vegetation. Though failing septic systems
may play a role in this process, surface runoff from roads and lawns are also important
contributors to pond eutrophication.
Though securing the Town’s water supply is a major challenge, the Town also has a
relatively undeveloped section of South Groveland that is habitat for several rare species of
herpes – salamanders and turtles – that also offers a conservation challenge. It should be
also noted that a large section of this area lies within Zone II of production well #1. This
largely undeveloped section of Groveland as well as the northwest section of Georgetown is
habitat that has been determined by the NEHSP to support several rare species, including,
Blanding’s turtles and blue-spotted and four-toed salamanders. This habitat of rare herpes
is commonly referred to as “Turtleland”. Though a large portion of this critical habitat has
been protected, there is still a large area that is undeveloped and privately owned. A
sizable amount of this land is wetlands, but still a significant portion has the potential to be
developed, and is under threat of being lost unless this area is protected. The fate of these
rare species depends on what happens to the undeveloped land.
“Turtleland” lies within two watersheds, the Parker River and the Merrimack River.
According to the EOEA Water Assets Study Community Report, dated June 2004, the
segment of the Parker River that flows through this critical habitat is classified as a
“stressed watershed” in part due to the excessive withdrawal of groundwater that causes
sections in the upper watershed of the river to dry up during warm-weather months. There
is also concern about the negative impact that low-flow will have on the rare species that
depend on this river. Hopefully, additional research will help resolve this problem.
4G1 - HAZARDOUS WASTE AND BROWNFIELD SITES
The Groveland aquifer in the vicinity of production well #1 has been impacted by two
Superfund sites – one of these sites is the closed Haverhill Municipal Landfill and the other is
the manufacturing facility known as Valley Manufacturing, which poses the greater
detrimental impact on production well #1. As pointed out previously in this Plan, this
Page 4-33
manufacturing facility was responsible for releasing trichloroethylene (TCE) into the aquifer
via its septic system and leaking underground storage tanks.
The Groveland Wells Superfund site includes the watershed and aquifer supplying the
Town’s production well #1, and affects an area of 850 acres. When the contamination was
initially released, productions well #1 and #2 were contaminated. At that time, these
production wells were the sole source of drinking water for the Town. Both wells were shut
down in 1979 when the State detected TCE contamination above drinking water maximum
contaminant limits (MCLs). The town instituted emergency conservation measures and
temporarily obtained water hookups from neighboring communities. Groveland developed
well #3 along the Merrimack River in the early 1980s.
The Valley Manufacturing Company manufactured metal and plastic parts and screws since
1963. Subsurface disposal systems and leaking underground tanks were the source of the
TCE contamination. This company also routinely dumped hazardous materials on the
ground surface. From 1964 until 1972, as much as 20 gallons per month of these materials
were released. Chemicals released included cutting oils, volatile organic compounds (VOC),
and acid bath wastes. In 2000, the EPA built a groundwater pump and treatment systems
for contaminated groundwater in the aquifer near the former Valley Manufacturing building.
This groundwater recovery and treatment plant has been effectively treating and controlling
offsite migration of the contaminants.
The other source that has threatened the Town’s groundwater supply is the Haverhill
Municipal Landfill. This landfill (site) is a 71-acre former industrial and municipal landfill
located off of Old Groveland Road, adjacent to the Merrimack River, southeast of downtown
Haverhill, near the Groveland town line. Aggregate Industries and the City of Haverhill own
the site; both of whom are the Responsible Parties for performing groundwater, surface
water, air quality sampling activities and final closure of the landfill. The City of Haverhill
and Aggregate Industries will also be responsible for the removal of the remaining buried
55-gallon drums and the final grading and capping of the landfill.
The Haverhill Landfill came into existence as of the result of the Great Merrimack River flood
of 1936. The local businesses and residences were completely flooded and had no place to
dispose of their damaged goods, food and other wastes from the flood damage. Later that
year (1936), the City designated the current location of the landfill as the place to dispose
of wastes. From 1982 until June of 1996, sludge generated from the City of Haverhill
Wastewater Treatment Plant and paper beater waste from the Haverhill Paperboard
Company, were also disposed of at the landfill. Waste disposal also included 55-gallon steel
drums of unknown materials, tannery and shoe wastes, tires, and flammables such as
lacquers, paints, oils, and glues. These materials were either dumped on the surface of the
site or deposited into shallow pits, while sludge and liquids were disposed of near the
eastside of the site and near the river. Groundwater monitoring wells are located
throughout the entire area and along the Merrimack River. The long-term sampling results
have indicated low levels of VOC, including, trichloroethylene, benzene and vinyl chloride.
Private residences are located immediately adjacent to the site.
In 1996, the City covered the landfill with an interim cover until a final site wide closure
plan and long-term monitoring requirements could be finalized. The Haverhill landfill is
currently inactive and does not accept wastes. The final phase of the cleanup is being
completed now. This phase of the cleanup involves the excavation, stabilization, removal
and proper disposal of the remaining buried 55-gallon drums from a second location that
was identified during the 2003 Hot Spot Investigation. Both Mass/DEP and EPA are
managing this cleanup project.
Since its closure in 1979, the Town of Groveland has re-opened production well #1, which
now has dual-emergency backup GAC absorption units for removal of VOCs. These
Page 4-34
contaminants are regularly monitored in nearby observation wells, to detect their presence
and to activate one of the GAC absorption units, and prevent these contaminants from
entering the drinking water supply. Since the contamination episode, two additional
production wells have been installed behind the Town Hall Complex and next to the
Merrimack River, thus giving the Town a total of three operating wells.
4G2 - LANDFILLS
Groveland has no landfills of its own. However, a portion of the closed Haverhill Municipal
Landfill extends into Groveland land and, as discussed in the previous section, is a federal
Superfund site.
4G3 - EROSION
The hilly topography of the Town in combination with the rough New England weather
creates the ever-present possibility of land loss and destruction by erosion. Drumlins, as
noted earlier, are characterized by one steep slope. These steep slopes are particularly
vulnerable to damage via erosion.
4G4 - CHRONIC FLOODING
For detailed information regarding areas of town that may be prone to flooding, the FEMA
Flood Plan Maps are an excellent reference.
4G5 - SEDIMENTATION
There is concern that residential development in the Johnson’s Pond and Meadow Pond area
has contributed to the ongoing eutrophication of these ponds. Additionally, there is a
potential hazard to wildlife and water quality due to the accumulation of chemicals in the
sediment of these ponds, which is partially due to the past misapplication of weed control
chemicals. Though this action was effective in suppressing pond vegetation initially, once
discontinued, pond vegetation has returned and continues to cover large areas of Johnson’s
Pond and has completely covered the surface of Meadow Pond. As a result, these ponds are
getting shallower and more difficult to navigate for boating.
4G6 - DEVELOPMENT IMPACT
During the last few decades the Town of Groveland has experienced intensified development
activities which, if continued without close planning, could jeopardize the Town’s natural
resources. Development continues to be built on marginal sites bordering streams and
wetlands, development has consumed a significant amount of open space and farmland, and
while sand and gravel operations have heavily stripped several areas in town threatening
wetlands and groundwater. The former sand and gravel operations near well #1, has
removed extensive earth from this area, leaving the groundwater more vulnerable to
surface contamination.
Hopefully, local wetland regulation amendments will help reduce the loss of wetlands.
Developmental pressures have been intense and according to the US Census, the population
in Groveland increased by 19.8 percent between 1980 and 2000. According to the build-out
analysis prepared by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Groveland’s population at
full build-out is expected to reach almost 9,500.
Development not only threatens Groveland’s small town charm, but also the quality of its
water supply, agricultural operations, open space and local natural resources. The loss of
natural resources will have a detrimental effect on the habitat of rare species as well as
diminish the scenic and bucolic vistas that have been a trademark of the Town.
Page 4-35
Unfortunately, some in the community feel that this represents progress while others have
conceded into believing that development and loss of open space are inevitable and there is
nothing that can be done to control development.
In 2001, the Merrimac Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) prepared an analysis using the
methodology developed by the EOEA in order to determine what the Town will look like
when it is fully built-out. The MVPC analysis estimates a potential for 1,057 additional
single-family units and 117 two family units in Groveland. In predicting the impacts from
full build-out, MVPC uses a statewide household size estimate of 2.9 persons per household,
resulting in 3,451 new residents and 669 additional school children.
The MVPC build-out analysis also finds the potential for an additional 6,124,983 square feet
of commercial and industrial space. This could provide jobs for approximately 8,444 new
employees, who would need to have residence in and around the Town of Groveland.
The 1997 Community Survey (Appendix F) identified several key planning issues in the
Town. These issues should be at the forefront of any planning initiatives. Priority issues
include:
•
Management of growth/open space
•
Protection of Groveland’s water supply and natural resources
•
Maintenance and enhancement of New England town character
•
Improvement of existing roads and public transportation
•
Improvement in performance and efficiency of community services
•
Increased affordable housing in the community
4G7 - LAND USE SUITABILITY ANALYSIS
Land Use Suitability described in the Groveland Master Plan identifies those areas of town,
which are best suited for certain types of land use. Existing development areas are where
the Town has invested in infrastructure and where highway and transit access is most
accessible. Open space and natural resource areas such as wetlands, water, flood zone,
vernal pools, and state-protected rare species are also noted, with an indication of the level
of protection these resources currently have. These resource areas have limited
development capacity. Developable land, also noted, is spread throughout the Town. As a
comparison, refer to the Town of Groveland Zoning Map (Map 4-8) that also subdivides the
Town into various use districts.
There are several locations where new residential and economic development opportunities
should be explored, based on a neighborhood vision workshop undertaken by the Town from
September 1999 to February 2002 as part of the Master Planning process. Two types of
neighborhoods were identified which might accommodate mixed-use residential/commercial
development, and one, which could support light manufacturing development. The areas,
which can accommodate new development, are those with existing infrastructure such as
roads, sewers, and water.
1. Downtown Area: Located along the Merrimack River and centered at the intersection
of Routes 113 and 97, this downtown neighborhood local retail area is a prime candidate
for revitalization. Mixed use residential and commercial uses and limited new
development might be accommodated under new zoning. Revitalization efforts should be
conducted in concert with the Elm Park Restoration Project and the new bridge project.
2. Built-Up Areas: Older neighborhoods in Groveland are ideal to encourage infill
development, which would give the areas more character and create a stronger sense of
Page 4-36
neighborhood. New development should be sensitive to the design and scale of the
existing structures in these neighborhoods. Residential/commercial mixed uses could be
appropriate in some of these neighborhoods. These areas have the majority of the
Town’s existing affordable housing units.
3. Development Management Areas: These areas are comprised of relatively vacant
land, which could support limited new development once a sewer system is installed.
Undeveloped land zoned General Industrial could accommodate light manufacturing
uses, again depending on the installation of sewers. Other land is better suited for
residential development.
4. Open Space Conservation Areas: New development should be discouraged in these
areas, as they have environmental importance in town, and contain permanently
protected open space.
4G8 - GROUND AND SURFACE WATER POLLUTION
As noted in Section 4.G.1, groundwater in the area of Valley Manufacturing Company has
been contaminated principally by trichloroethylene, and has been the site of a federal
Superfund cleanup. Development has negatively affected the quality of most of the local
ponds and waterways. As noted in Sections 4.G and 4.G.5., eutrofication of the ponds is a
present and future concern. Old septic systems leaching into the groundwater will continue
to be a concern for some time in the future.
4G9 - IMPAIRED WATER BODIES
As mentioned previously in this plan both Johnson’s and Meadow Ponds are experiencing
serious eutrophication due to surface runoff and probably nearby failing septic systems.
The surface of Meadow Pond is typically covered with emergent vegetation, while several
sections of Johnson’s Pond has a significant amount of emergent vegetation. Since
Johnson’s Pond is classified as a water supply by DEP, there should be a management plan
developed for this body of water and a determination of its future use by the Town.
Other smaller ponds, including, New Mill and Old Mill Ponds have suffered from nearby
development. In addition, New Mill Pond is immediately down gradient from the Valley
Manufacturing Superfund site.
Page 4-37
MAP-4-8: Town of Groveland Land Use Suitability
Page 4-38
Section 5 – Inventory of Lands of Conservation and Recreation Interest
Section 5 - INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION AND
RECREATION INTEREST
This section identifies and describes Groveland’s current open space and recreation lands.
Descriptions of these lands are organized into two major sections consisting of those lands
that are protected and those that are unprotected. Protected lands are open space and
recreation lands that are safe from development, while unprotected lands are vulnerable to
development. All of the protected and unprotected open space and recreation lands are
included on Map 5-1, Town of Groveland Open Space. Two tables accompany the map and
provide comprehensive inventories of protected (Table 5-11) and unprotected lands (Table
5-12).
The practice of preserving open space and recreation land for public purposes is a relatively
recent phenomenon for Groveland, and was begun primarily as a federal and later a state
function in the 1940’s and 1950’s. During this period, the Massachusetts Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife established the Crane’s Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) as a
fishing and hunting preserve. While the Town has acquired land to protect its well fields,
until the Veasey Memorial Park acquisition, no property had been acquired specifically for
open space protection and passive recreation purposes.
5A - PROTECTED OPEN SPACE LAND
Protected open space land can be either publicly or privately owned. Public land includes
those open space properties that are controlled by a Town or State conservation agency or
water department. Private lands are those properties that are owned by a non-profit land
trust or have either a conservation or agricultural preservation restriction. Nearly all of
Groveland’s protected open space lands are publicly owned.
5A1 - PROTECTED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE LAND
Public land is considered protected if the property is owned or controlled by the:
•
Conservation Commission
•
Water Department
•
Massachusetts municipality with deed restriction
•
Massachusetts conservation agency
•
Town of Groveland and received state or federal funds for the purchase or improvement
of the property
As shown in Table 5-1, 85% of public open space land is controlled by the State in the
Crane’s Pond WMA. The combined Town-owned lands (Conservation Commission, Water
Department, and Town of Groveland) account for the remaining 15% of these lands.
Page 5-1
Table 5-1: Protected Public Open Space Land
Land Ownership
Acres
Conservation Commission Land
Percentage
196.1
10.5
Water Department Land
60.6
3.4
Other Groveland Municipal Land
28.2
1.6
1,501.1
84.2
1,786
100.0
Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Land
Total Protected Public Open Space Land
Conservation Commission Land
The Groveland Conservation Commission was organized on May 19, 1966 and operates
under the provisions of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 40, Section 8C. Among
a Conservation Commission’s powers and duties is the authority to acquire, maintain,
improve, protect, limit the future use of or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open
spaces in land and water areas within the Town. Additionally, the commission has the
authority to manage and control these properties.
As shown in Table 5-2, the Conservation Commission controls 27 properties, many of which
are very small. In 1969, the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity donated a ten (10) acre lot
on Meadow Pond to the Commission. This property was formally deeded to the Town in
1972. In 1996, the Town acquired Veasey Memorial Park (Nun’s Hill) with significant
assistance from the State’s Self-Help program and a conservation restriction purchased by
the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM).
In 1999, twenty-one (21) Town-owned properties were transferred through Town Meeting
to the control of the Conservation Commission. In 2000, the Town Forest was transferred
through Town Meeting from the control of the Board of Selectmen to the Conservation
Commission. The Conservation Commission is seeking a grant from the Massachusetts
Forest Stewardship Program to develop a forest management plan for this important Town
resource.
In 2002, 59 acres adjacent to Meadow Pond were purchased and added to the existing
Meadow Pond property. This property was acquired with the assistance of the Trust for
Public Land (TPL) and was purchased through funds provided by a Self-Help grant; a
conservation restriction purchased by the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries, Wildlife,
and Law Enforcement; grants from the Essex County Greenbelt Association, Stevens
Foundation, Fields Pond Foundation, William P. Wharton Foundation, and Cricket
Foundation; and numerous donations from Groveland businesses and residents.
In 2007, 8 acres adjacent to Meadow Pond were purchased and added to the existing
Meadow Pond property (now Meadow Pond Reservation.) The property was acquired using
Town Community Preservation Act funds set aside for Open Space. The Conservation
Commission plans to permanently protect the land with a conservation restriction.
Since publication of the 1997 Open Space and Recreation Plan, property controlled by the
Conservation Commission has more than tripled from 57.5 to 196.1 acres. However, as
discussed in Section 5.B.2, there are still many important open space and natural resources
owned privately and by the Town of Groveland that warrant protection. These properties
are identified in Section 5.B.2.
Page 5-2
Table 5-2: Conservation Commission Land
Year
Protected
Map
Lot
Location
9/72
52
31
Uptack Rd.
6/02
47
53B
Stephenson’s Way
6/02
53
4A
Off Stephenson’s
Way
8/07
53
2A
28R Uptack Rd
10/96
46
34
201 Washington St
4/99
6
16
Balch Ave.
0.3
4/99
6
31
Benhan St.
0.6
4/99
6
32
Lois St.
1.6
4/99
13
14
Off Seven Star Rd.
11.6
4/00
5
1
Wood St.
33.0
Seven Star Road
Conservation Area
4/99
13
3A
Seven Star Rd.
0.6
Johnson’s Creek Greenway
4/99
32
23
Main St.
0.4
Kings Way Conservation
Area
4/99
35
21J
Off Kings Way
1.8
4/99
35
21K
Off Kings Way.
4.7
4/99
45
1
Center St.
0.6
4/99
45
3
Center St.
0.9
6/01
46
42B
Center St.
1.3
4/99
51
1
Center St.
0.2
4/99
51
2
Center St.
0.8
4/99
46
4
Pond St.
0.2
4/99
46
12
Park St.
0.1
4/99
46
13
Park St.
0.2
4/99
49
27A
912 Salem St.
2.1
4/99
49
5A
929 Salem St.
1.9
Rocky Woods Conservation
Area
4/99
50
11
Off Rocky Woods
4.5
Spofford Pond Conservation
Area
4/99
52
8
Washington St.
1.4
Quaker’s Corner Green
11/99
28
8
Seven Star Road
0.4
Mill Pond Conservation Area
11/99
40
14
Mill St.
4.2
Property
Meadow Pond Reservation
Veasey Memorial Park
Cemetery Brook
Conservation Area
Town Forest Greenway
Johnson’s Pond
Conservation Area
Pond Street Conservation
Area
Salem Street Conservation
Areas
Total Protected Conservation Commission Land
Page 5-3
Acres
10.0
9.5
48.7
8.0
46.5
196.1
Water Department Land
In 1965, the Town established its own water source by developing Well No. 1 adjacent to
Argilla Brook. Prior to this time, the Town purchased its water from the City of Haverhill. A
water tower was constructed on Perry Hill off Gardner Street and another site for a tower
was donated to the Town off of Uptack Road. In 1971, Well No. 2 was established, which
due to pollution was permanently closed in 1979. In 1979, Well No. 3 was established
behind the Town Hall and in 2000 Well No.4 was established along the Merrimack River
behind the cemetery.
For many years, the City of Haverhill used Johnson’s Pond as a drinking water source.
Haverhill’s inactive pumping station is located on Center St. next to the pond and additional
land, which is no longer being used, is located on Center St. bordering Haverhill and
Boxford. Table 5-3 summarizes all Groveland and Haverhill Water Department properties.
Table 5-3: Water Department Land
Map
Lot
Property
Location
24
41
Well #1
Main St.
26.4
6
1A
Well #3
Behind Town Hall
12.0
6
6A
Well #4
Behind Cemetery
10.3
11
112
17
69
56
6A
Future Water Tower
Off Uptack Rd.
46
3
Haverhill Pumping Station
Center St.
3.0
45
2
Haverhill Water Department Land
Center St.
1.8
Water Tower
Total Protected Water Department Land
Page 5-4
Acres
Gardner St.
5.6
Off Gardner St.
1.0
.5
60.6
Other Municipal Land
Other protected Town land include those properties that are designated as parks under the
provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 45, Section 14. These Town-owned
properties include Perry Park and Washington Park. Both of these properties were donated
to the Town with deed restrictions that preclude their use for other purposes. Elm Park and
the Civil War monument part of Perry Park do not have deeds and, consequently, are not
included in this plan. Both the Shanahan Field and the Pines Recreation Area are not
designated as parks and, accordingly, are not protected as open space land.
Essex County formerly owned one property in the southwestern corner of the Town, which it
purchased in 1972 for conservation purposes. This 9.3 acre property lies partly in
Groveland and Boxford and includes approximately 1800 feet of shoreline on the Parker
River. With the abolishment of county government, this property was transferred to the
control of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Table 5-4
lists these two protected municipal properties.
Table 5-4: Protected Municipal Land
Map
Lot
11
149
11
152
24
41A?
39
57
Property
Location
Acres
Main St.
1.5
Main St.
0.9
Well No. 1 Park
Main St.
9.0
124
Washington Park
101 Washington
St.
2
DEM Conservation Land
Uptack Road
Perry Park
Total Protected Municipal Land
11.3
5.5
28.2
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Land
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) owns numerous properties in the
Southeastern section of Town. These properties comprised of approximately 1,538 acres of
fishing and hunting area known as the Crane’s Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA). In
2000, the Town sold two properties (totaling 16 acres) on J.B. Little Road to the DFW.
Through Town Meeting, the proceeds of this sale were placed into the Conservation Fund to
acquire additional conservation land. In 2002, the DFW acquired 17.1 acres from Mr. Nick
Latham on Center Street. This important property is adjacent to Stickney’s Boulder and
completes protection of this famous Groveland natural feature. In 2007 the Town sold 4.5
acres on Center St. to the DFW.
Unlike State Forests and State Recreation Areas, the Crane’s Pond WMA is not actively
promoted as recreation land or developed for that purpose. Numerous trails exist
throughout the area, but they are not well marked and no signs or maps are provided to
facilitate their use. During the fall hunting season, this area becomes unsafe for
unrestricted passive recreation use, except for Sundays when hunting is not allowed in
Massachusetts. Regardless of these limitations, if it were not for the sportsmen, this area
would not have been protected.
While the wildlife management area is very large, it is located at one end of the Town, away
from most of the Town’s population. Ideally, passive open space should be distributed
Page 5-5
throughout the Town and should be within walking distance of residences. Distribution of
open space helps preserve the Town’s semi-rural character of country living.
5A2 - PROTECTED PRIVATE OPEN SPACE LAND
Private land is considered protected if the property:
•
Is owned by a nonprofit land trust
•
Has a Conservation Restriction (CR)
•
Has an Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR)
Conservation Land Trusts
A conservation land trust is a private charitable organization that acquires or holds interests
in land for the purpose of conserving the land in perpetuity. The following table contains
Groveland’s two conservation land trust properties. The Essex County Greenbelt Association
is the largest land trust organization in the area and owns one Groveland property abutting
Haverhill. There is also one private open space land trust, which was established by the
developers of the Rocky Forest (now Berrywood) subdivision off Uptack Road. Three trustee
residents of the subdivision manage this trust and access to the open space is restricted to
these residents. Table 5-5 summarizes the Town’s conservation land trusts.
Table 5-5: Conservation Land Trusts
Map
Lot
Property
Location
45
6
Essex County Greenbelt Association
Land
Off Center St.
3.2
56
6
Rocky Forest Open Space Land
Uptack Road
8.9
Total Conservation Land Trust Land
Acres
12.1
Conservation Restrictions (CR)
Conservation restrictions are written agreements between a property owner and the Town
by which the owner agrees to keep the land in a predominantly open, natural or scenic
condition. The restriction may be donated or purchased by any governmental body or
recognized private conservation agency. In Massachusetts, conservation restrictions have
been given special legal status under Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 184,
Sections 31-34. In order for a conservation restriction to be permanently enforceable (thus
qualifying for potential tax benefits) the restriction must be reviewed and approved by the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) and the governing body of
the municipality in which the restriction is located. The holder of the restriction may restrict
or forbid construction of buildings and may limit soil or mineral removal.
Most Massachusetts cities and town have numerous conservation restrictions in place.
However, no conservation restrictions have been established in Groveland to protect
privately owned land.
Page 5-6
Agricultural Preservation Restrictions (APR)
Under MGL Chapter 564 Section 31, the Commissioner of the Department of Food and
Agriculture may purchase the development rights of agricultural properties. Landowners
voluntarily submit projects for such acquisition. The Commonwealth holds title to the
Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR). Land so restricted cannot be subdivided; it can
only be leased or sold as farmland. The restriction holder can forbid or limit construction of
buildings except for those used for agricultural purposes or for dwellings for the landowner
and employees. The holder may also bar or limit soil or mineral removal, which could
adversely affect the land’s agricultural potential. The landowner does not necessarily grant
public access to the property.
While surrounding cities and towns have many noteworthy Agricultural Preservation
Restrictions (Silsby’s Farm in Bradford, Kimball’s Farm in East Haverhill), the Town of
Groveland has no Agricultural Preservation Restrictions. However, in 1999, Mr. Nick Latham
applied for an APR on all of his agricultural lands on Center and Wood Streets.
Unfortunately, sufficient program funds are not available at this time.
5B - UNPROTECTED OPEN SPACE LAND
Groveland has some significant privately and publicly owned open space properties that are
not protected. As shown in the Table 5-6, approximately 200 acres of agricultural land are
listed as Chapter 61A, and little forest or recreational properties are protected by Chapter
61 or 61B. The Town owns approximately 65 acres of undeveloped, unprotected properties
that are candidates for protection under the Conservation Commission. Extensive open
space lands are privately owned and need to be evaluated for protection of their natural
resources and open space qualities.
Table 5-6: Unprotected Open Space Land
Land Ownership
Acres
Chapter 61A Agricultural Land
192.96
Chapter 61B Recreation Land
10.60
Unprotected Town of Groveland Land
65.25
5B1 - TAX INCENTIVE LANDS
In Massachusetts, an owner of managed forest, agricultural, or recreational land that meets
certain eligibility standards may qualify for reduced property taxes under MGL Chapters 61,
61A, and 61B. This is based on the principle that certain qualified lands are assessed on the
basis of their present use (as farmland, woodland, or recreational land) rather than their
potential value under other uses, such as residential development. In this way the
landowner is encouraged to preserve the land as open space without incurring a heavy tax
burden.
All three measures are voluntary, have specific criteria for eligibility, and provide for
penalties if the land becomes ineligible or is withdrawn from the program. From the
landowner’s viewpoint, these measures are attractive because they offer significant property
tax reduction. From the conservation viewpoint, they offer at least short-term protection of
productive open lands and recreational land, and in some cases they can assist the Town in
permanently protecting its most important open lands.
Page 5-7
From a long-range planning standpoint, it is important to note that none of these properties
are permanently protected. If an owner of Chapter 61A (Agricultural) designated property
wished to develop the property, the Town would have 120 days in which to act to acquire
the land. Rarely would the Town have the ability, mechanisms, and/or funds to acquire land
so quickly. Since completion of the previous Open Space and Recreation Plan, the Town has
lost hundreds of acres of these lands primarily because it does not have an efficient means
of funding the acquisition of these properties within this restrictive time period.
Chapter 61 Forest Land
MGL Chapter 61, Sections 1-7, allows forestland to be valued at no more than $10 per acre
if the owner of 10 or more acres practices forest management to improve the quantity and
quality of a continuing forest crop. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Management’s (DEM) Division of Forests and Parks implements the classification of
properties, and keeps records of all transactions. In 2002, 26.2 acres between Pike Drive
and King Street were removed from this program and the Town did not exercise its rights to
purchase the property. Currently, there are no Chapter 61 properties in Groveland.
Chapter 61A Agricultural Land
MGL Chapter 61A, Sections 1-24, lessens real estate burdens on working farmland while
discouraging speculation by sale or development. Under this provision, agricultural lands
are assessed for farm use and not at full developable market value. If the property is
withdrawn from the classification, back taxes (the difference between full tax rate and the
special assessment) must be paid to the Town for only the last five years.
In the last five years, the Town has lost probably the largest and most important
agricultural lands in its history. The remaining land that use to comprise Valley Farm (37
acres) and adjacent farmlands (39 acres) on Wood Street were sold for development into an
assisted living complex. All of the agricultural lands at the end of Wood St. (74.7 acres)
were withdrawn from Chapter 61A, including other adjacent non-agricultural lands, and are
being developed into a large housing development under the Town’s new Conservation
Subdivision By-law.
As shown in Table 5-7, some of Groveland’s most valuable open space land is included in
this tax abatement program. All of these properties need to be carefully monitored and,
where possible, moved to protected status.
Page 5-8
Table 5-7: Chapter 61A Agricultural Land
Map
Lot
Owner Name
Location
7
63B
Grazio, Beverly
1 Wood St.
8
10
Latham, W. Nichols
Wood St.
31.2
12
27
Esty, Hobart B.
1 Rollins St.
47.3
16
78
Donovan, Charles J. & A. Sophie
65R School St.
17
94
Esty, Howard T. & Shirley A.
98 King St.
18
36
Latham, W. Nichols
Center St.
18
37
Latham, W. Nichols
268 Center St.
2.2
19
23
Petroska, Vincent J.
Seven Star Rd.
19.5
24
29
Donovan, Charles J. & A. Sophie
Hardy Ave.
11.29
37
1E
Aulson, Maureen and Alan
Mulberry St
2.17
37
1F
Aulson, Maureen and Alan
Mulberry St
1.02
18
57
Fontes, Antonio and Alda
44 Rollins St
53
10B
Luken, Steven and Diane
Uptack Rd
0.83
53
3B
Uptack Rd
8.16
56
12A
Luken, Diane
Uptack Rd
1.0
56
12
46 Uptack Rd
0.69
18
53B
Fontes, Antonio and Alda
Wyka Lane
6.06
26
12
Fiore, Vincent J.
104 King St.
13.7
Total Chapter 61A Agricultural Land
Acres
10.79
3.3
15.25
15.9
2.6
192.96
Chapter 61B Recreational Land
MGL Chapter 61B is a related, though less used, program that reduces property taxes on
certain recreational lands, such as privately owned golf courses. The Garrison and Far
Corners Golf Courses in Haverhill are examples of Chapter 61B properties. Groveland has
one Chapter 61B property (Map 28/Lot 2; 10.6 acres) that is owned by William Baert at 66
Bare Hill Road.
Groveland’s privately owned recreation lands include Cedardale Swim and Tennis Club
(55.25 acres) located on Bare Hill Road and Groveland Fairways (14.2 acres) located at 156
Main Street. Cedardale is an especially beautiful property with spectacular vistas in many
directions from the top of Bare Hill.
5B2 - UNPROTECTED TOWN OF GROVELAND LAND
As discussed previously, only Town-owned properties controlled by the Conservation
Commission, the Water and Sewer Department, or containing permanent deed restrictions
are protected from development. Appendix H contains Open Space Evaluation Criteria that
the Open Space and Trails Committee have developed. These criteria are used to evaluate
Page 5-9
properties to determine their value as conservation land. Many of the properties included in
Table 5-2 were transferred to the Conservation Commission based on this evaluation.
Table 5-8 is a list of undeveloped Town-owned properties that are candidates for protection.
Some of these properties have a designated Town purpose, which is indicated on the table.
However, many properties are candidates for permanent protection under the control of the
Conservation Commission. All of the properties are undeveloped and contain no Town
facilities.
Table 5-8: Unprotected Town of Groveland Land
Map
Lot
Location
3
7
Cranton Ave.
2.5 Possible Sewer Department Pumping
Station, not necessary with
extension of sewer up Main St.
22
3
Off Brown Island Rd.
2.4 Sell to Mass. DFW
26
29A
Off King and Center St.
0.5 Sell
32
25
Main St.
41
42B
Center St.
7.7 Transfer to Conservation
Commission
41
42C
Center St.
Commission
41
55A
8 Dana Drive
0.9 Sell
48
9
Salem St.
5.0 Evaluate Further
48
10
Off Uptack St.
48
11A
Uptack St.
Commission
48
14
Off Uptack St.
48
15
Salem St.
48
16
Salem St.
49
20
King St.
6.0 Future Electric Department
Substation
Total Unprotected Town Land
Acres
Purpose/Recommendation
Commission
60.75
The table identifies those properties that were highly rated using the Open Space Evaluation
Criteria and merit protection under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. Using
the criteria results, the Open Space and Trails Committee recommends that one property be
sold to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife for inclusion in the Crane’s Pond WMA. If sold
to the State, the proceeds from the sale should be placed in the Conservation Fund to
acquire additional open space.
The Johnson’s Creek property (Map 32/Lot 25) is partly used by the Highway Department
and Water and Sewer Department. After the Highway Department moves to its new facility
Page 5-10
on Center Street, the area along the creek needs to be subdivided and transferred to the
Conservation Commission as part of the Johnson’s Creek Greenway. In subdividing the
property, consideration needs to be given to the future re-development of the Town’s
swimming pond. To enable development of the swimming area, acquisition of the adjacent
Archdiocese property should be considered.
The Town property North of the Bagnall School (Map 41/Lots 42B and 42C) contains
significant wetlands and Argilla Brook runs through it. Part of this property also contains up
lands that have potential use to the school. These lands need to be subdivided and
transferred to the school. The wetlands and Argilla Brook area should be transferred to the
Conservation Commission and incorporated into the Argilla Brook Greenway.
The property off Uptack Street (Map 48/Lot 11A) is tax title land that is located within the
bounds of a proposed herpetological reserve. The property has certified sightings of
Blanding’s Turtle. The Blanding’s Turtle is a Massachusetts threatened species and this area
is an important part of its habitat.
In addition to these undeveloped properties, two of the Town’s recreational properties
contain significant undeveloped natural areas that need to be evaluated for permanent
protection. These properties include the Pines Recreation Area and the former Shanahan
School site. On the Shanahan School property, the woodlands along the Merrimack River lie
within the Town’s established flood zone and are an especially important natural asset. This
property warrants permanent protection as a passive recreation area.
5B3 - UNPROTECTED PRIVATE OPEN SPACE LAND
As shown in Table 5-9, Groveland is fortunate to still have many privately owned open
space lands. These properties need to be evaluated using the Open Space Evaluation
Criteria located in Appendix I. Highly rated properties, especially those that protect the
Town’s water supplies, wetlands, streams, and ponds, should be protected. Public
ownership is not the only way, or always the most desirable way, of protecting open space.
For many of the following properties, only portions merit protection. What is important is
that the Town evaluates these properties, determine their conservation value, and work
with property owners to find the best means of protecting these important open space lands
or natural resources.
A liberal approach has been used in compiling the following table. Each property is on this
list because it meets one or more of the following criteria:
1. The property is undeveloped and contains no buildings
2. The property contains a residence with a large amount of undeveloped land
3. The property includes or abuts an important natural resource
4. The property abuts an existing protected open space
5. The property contributes to the establishment of a defined greenway
Table 5-9: Unprotected Private Open Space Land
Map
Lot
Owner Name
Location
2
2A
Bussing, James G. TR
Main St.
.62
2
16
Noury, Brian R.
Main St.
21.30
2
17
Napolitano, Michael L.
8 Main St.
Page 5-11
Acres
8.50
Map
Lot
Owner Name
Location
3
18
Winkowski, Henry S.
37 Dwinnels St.
8.00
4
30
Bredice, Paul J. & Eleanor M.
Main St.
7.00
6
2
Bussing, James G.
179 Main St.
4.45
7
48
Kimball, Malcolm D.
Seven Star Rd.
7
61A
Kimball, Malcolm D.
Wood St.
8.50
7
63A
Grazio, John Angelo
Wood St.
5.20
9
2
Kadel, Martha C.
Center St.
11
9
Parker, Edward H.
245 Main St.
4.10
11
36
Cammett, Richard N.
36 Garrison St.
6.70
12
23
Honor, Annie F. TR
65 Seven Star Rd.
6.00
12
24
Hill, Howard R., Jr.
Off Seven Star Rd.
19.00
13
3
Wexler, Paul E.
Seven Star Rd.
4.00
13
14A
Dipietro, Jenny
Seven Star Rd.
2.01
13
15
Bockman, Joseph G.
324 Center St.
10.50
14
3
Cammett, Richard N.
J.B. Little Rd.
2.30
16
102
Palmer, Shand S.
27 Sylvan St.
19.00
17
22
Anderson, Garald B.
17 Highland Ave.
4.50
17
64
Webster, Robert J. Jr.
93 King St.
8.20
17
92
Fairbanks, Wayne D.
94 King St.
14.60
17
96
Crook, Douglas V.
Off King’s Way
6.00
18
53
Wyka, Joseph J.
28 Rollins St.
6.06
18
57
Fontes, Antonio M.
44 Rollins St.
2.60
19
25B
Tibbetts, Gerald E.
134 Seven Star Rd.
24
8
Esty, Hobart B, Roy E. &
Off Main St.
6.00
24
22
Madden, Christopher J.
426 Main St.
6.20
24
28
Cranton, Hartley
Off Main St.
24
28A
Cranton, Harley R. &
Off School St.
7.73
25
12
Sevinor Nominee Trust
Off School St.
25.80
25
81
Bowden, Richard P.
97R King St.
18.12
26
1
Kooshkalis, Steven J.
139R King St.
26
13
Adamopoulas, Arthur A.
106 King St.
18.70
26
17
Kinch, Paul C. & Denise A.
118 King St.
3.70
26
32
Boland, Daniel S. & Yolanda J.
230 Center St.
4.44
Page 5-12
Acres
11.39
12.30
10.15
11.01
3.15
Map
Lot
Owner Name
Location
28
8
MacNeil, Robert l. & Nancy L.
J. B. Little Rd.
28
9
Carlson, Guerin E. & Marcena G.
3 J.B. Little Rd.
10.30
28
16
Chrestensen, Diane L.
Seven Star Rd.
5.00
32
20
Trimount Bituminous
5 Yemma Road
19.49
33
6
Angelini, William P. Jr.
33 Dewhirst St.
44.45
33
9
Mattingly, Ruth E.
Off Main St.
37.00
33
10
Zachary Realty Trust
Center St.
33
12
Wm. P. Angelini Nominee Trust
Off Center St.
34
13
Franzone, Daniel J.
181 School St.
6.00
37
6
Abbott, Alva E. Estate
21 Byfield Rd.
6.50
39
67
Jennings, Elizabeth A.
764 Salem St.
4.30
39
68
Archdiocese of Boston
733 Salem St.
10.70
40
8
St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic
Church
114 Center St.
19.30
40
10B
A. W. Chesterton Co.
Center St.
4.00
40
11A
A. W, Chesterton Co.
Center St.
28.00
40
12A
Off Murray Ave.
9.03
40
15
Salem St.
8.83
41
41
Sevinor Nominee Trust
Center St.
20.00
41
95
Bryan, William T. & Madeline C.
School St.
24.20
42
1
John T. Montebianchi IRR Trust
King St.
7.50
42
41
King Street Realty Trust
King St.
8.40
42
42
Massachusetts Electric
King St.
5.00
43
8
Dyes, David T. Estate
Off Rocky Woods Rd.
5.50
46
18
White, Lester W.
Benjamin St.
1.40
46
32G
Cox, David W.
174 Washington St.
3.40
47
8
Sullivan, Frederick F.
784 Salem St.
6.40
47
16
A. W. Chesterton Co,
Salem St.
27.75
47
22
Trimount Newco Inc.
Salem St.
4.70
47
29
Trimount International.
Salem St.
10.00
47
30
Trimount International.
Nelson St.
4.00
47
51
Latimer, Sandra L.
Salem St.
9.80
47
53A
Kelley, Agnes E.
Stephensen’s Way
5.90
Page 5-13
Acres
.36
9.65
12.40
Map
Lot
Owner Name
Location
48
11
Salem-School Street Corp.
Uptack St.
8.9
48
29
Dibiase Salem Realty Trust
Uptack St.
10.00
49
5
J.B. Realty Trust
925 Salem St.
13.30
49
15
Gate, Albert O.
Salem St.
20.30
49
26
Bowden, Russell S.
Salem St.
3.00
50
5
Dibiase Salem Realty Trust
Off King St.
7.00
52
3
Slusher, William E. & Mary
Washington St.
.92
52
3A
Slusher, William E. & Mary
Washington St.
.57
53
3B
Luken, Steven F.
Off Uptack Rd.
54
1
Salem-School Street Corp.
Uptack Road
25.40
55
1
Caskie, Dorna
Carlton Lane
3.20
55
5
Cochrane, Charles W.
Washington St.
4.40
55
6
Unknown
Off Washington St.
.85
55
7
B & R Realty Trust
Off Washington St.
1.55
57
1
Walter, Chester H. & Barbara
Off Uptack Rd.
6.80
57
3A
Esty, Mildred C.
Off Uptack Rd.
2.56
Page 5-14
Acres
8.16
Map 5-1: Town of Groveland Open Space
Page 5-15
Section 6 – Community Vision
Section 6 - COMMUNITY VISION
In this section, the Town’s vision for open space and recreation is discussed in a general
manner. Also, how the vision was determined and arrived at will be revealed.
6A - DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS
Actions taken at Town Meetings and by various committees as well as surveys helped
determine what the residents of Groveland value regarding open space and recreation.
There were two surveys distributed to local residents that inquired about their opinions
concerning open space and recreation that further clarified what the community wanted.
In 1995, the Town of Groveland conducted a public opinion survey concerning open space
and related issues. This survey was distributed with the West Newbury News, a local
newspaper, and was also available at the public library and town hall as well as the Town
Meeting held on February 28, 1995. Based upon the results of this survey, it was clear that
more than 70 percent of the respondents overwhelming wanted to protect and acquire
additional open space as well as preserve Groveland’s small-town appeal. This survey also
indicated that residents were concern about unrestricted land development both for
industrial and residential in the Town. The responses from this initial survey continue to
define the Town’s collective spirit toward open space and small-town life.
A second survey was distributed by mail and was part of the “Draft” Master Plan dated
February 15, 2001. There were 876 responses to this survey, with 276 and 206 responses
from the age group of 34 to 44 and 45 to 54 respectively. The responses indicated that the
current rate of development was too fast and unacceptable, and the Town was losing its
small town character as result of increased development. The respondents also expressed a
strong desire for the Town to take the following additional actions:
•
Create a town-wide hiking/biking trail network
•
Better management of growth in undeveloped sections of Town
•
Adopt creative zoning regulations that would encourage open space opportunities
•
Improve existing recreational facilities and preserve more land for open space
These surveys both indicated that residents have a passion for open space and maintaining
the Town’s county setting and recreation facilities. Though these surveys were conducted a
few years ago, the subsequent actions taken by the community at Town meetings, and by
Town boards and committees show that these surveys still have a vital influence. These
surveys have been included in the Appendix F of this Plan.
The following actions taken by the Town reinforce the positive attitude held by the Town for
protection of existing as well as the acquisition of additional open space.
Town Meetings/Elections: Typically, residents participating in past Town meetings and
Town elections have voted to adopt articles that indicate a positive outlook toward open
space. The voting community has also articulated a strong voice in protecting open space
and maintaining its small-town character. The following list exemplifies the voters’ appeal
for open space and maintaining its small-town appeal:
•
Town Meeting adopted annual development limits in 1996
•
Town Meeting voted to purchase Veasey Memorial Park, a 48-acre conservation area in
Spring 1996
•
Town Meeting adopted the Aquifer Protection District bylaw in April 1997
Page 6-1
•
Town Meeting adopted to transfer several parcels of town-owned land to the
management of the Conservation Commission in Spring 2000
•
Town Meeting adopted the Conservation Subdivision Bylaw presented by the Groveland
Planning Board in June 2002
•
Town meeting accepted the purchase of Stephenson’s Way Parcel (a.k.a. “Turtleland”), a
59-acre parcel of undeveloped land, in Spring 2002
•
Groveland voters adopted the Community Preservation Act by a significant majority in
the spring 2004 Town election. In order to have this article placed on the electoral
ballet, several residents canvassed the Town to obtain at least 10 percent of the
signatures of the registered voters in Groveland.
•
Town Meeting adopted the Scenic Roadways Bylaw.
•
Town Meeting voted not to partition a section away from the Town Forest for a water
tower in spring 2005.
Since purchasing Veasey Memorial Park, a group of local dedicated volunteers have
supported and maintained this wonderful park with its woodlands, fields and buildings, thus
eliminating any cost of upkeep to the Town. This facility is used for Conservation
Commission meetings and as recreational space. In the spring of 2005, a nesting box
program was initiated with the assistance of the Open Space & Trails Committee and the
Veasey Park Management Committee. In 2006 the number of nesting boxes at this location
was increased to 15 nesting boxes, which helped raise the number of bluebird fledglings
during the 2006 season. The Veasey Park Management Committee also voted to delay
mowing the field in order to encourage field-nesting birds and butterflies. This action has
encouraged bobolinks to nest in the field. The nesting box summaries for both seasons can
be found in Appendix G. Veasey Memorial Park also participated in the Essex County Sails
to Trails Day in 2005 and 2006
Groveland Open Space & Trials Committee (GOSTC) was formally established in 1997, and
was one of the primary goals of the first Open Space and Recreation Plan. This new
committee replaced the temporary Open Space Committee that was created in 1994.
GOSTC has sponsored several hikes on town and local Mass DFW conservation land. Many
of these hikes were coordinated with other local outdoor organization, such as Friends’ of
Our Trails (FOOT) and Andover Chapter of the AMC. GOSTC also hosted a Biodiversity Days
2002 that was sponsored by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA).
The GOSTC has maintained an active inventory of open space, and interacts with regional
conservation organizations and the Mass DFW concerning potential land acquisition. This
Committee has assisted with local trail maintenance and improvements as well as working
closely with the Conservation Commission to assist with nature and environmental projects
as well as providing information to assist with Self-Help Grant applications and identifying
critical wildlife and open space habitat.
The Conservation Commission and local volunteers who successfully applied for several
grants, including two Self Help Grants must be congratulated for their hard work and
persistence. Between 1996 and 2003, the Town received three matching Self-Help Grants
from the EOEA as well as a number of smaller grants to purchase open space. The
volunteers also succeeded in enlisting the assistance of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) with
the purchase of “Turtleland”, which has become part of the Meadow Pond Conservation
Area.
The Town’s three largest conservation areas, Veasey Memorial Park, Town Forest and
Meadow Pond Conservation Area, reflect the Town’s passion for open space. The successful
Page 6-2
efforts to preserve conservation land surrounding and in the vicinity of Meadow Pond has
been critical for protecting land designated as habitat for rare species. This area is often
referred to as “Turtleland”. Much of this habitat lies within the Towns of Groveland and
Georgetown, which includes a large swathe that has already been protected. This is critical
habitat for several rare species of herpes, including the Blanding’s turtle and the four-toed
and blue-spotted salamanders. The NHESP Biomap and Living Waters found in Appendix E
lists rare species and natural communities found in Groveland.
The excitement shown by local conservationists has created momentum and roused the
Mass DFW to begin securing some of the remaining unprotected parcels of land in this
region to ensure the survival of these rare herpes, especially, the Blanding’s turtle. If this
goal is met, one of the Commonwealth’s smallest bio-reserves will have been created.
6B - STATEMENT OF OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION GOALS
Open Space and Recreation Plan Goals:
The four goals that have been selected to best preserve Groveland’s small town character,
natural resources and open space, as well as serve the needs of local recreation are:
A.
B.
C.
growth.
Page 6-3
Section 7 – Analysis of Needs
Section 7 - ANALYSIS OF NEEDS
In this section the implications of the material discussed in prior sections of this report will
be further analyzed to determine how best to move forward and succeed with the goals of
this Plan.
7A - SUMMARY OF RESOURCE PROTECTION NEEDS
As is the case in many towns whose way-of-live and defining character has been in
transition from a rural to a more suburban neighborhood, Groveland residents have become
very concerned about the loss of open space and the Town’s bucolic charm. Results from
the open space survey, which was distributed to Groveland residents in 1995, indicated that
71% of the responses felt that protecting open space and preserving the small town
character were very important. The loss of open space that Groveland has been
experiencing, is reflected statewide as documented by the Massachusetts Audubon Society
in their report titled, Losing Ground: At What Cost? They reported a very daunting statistic
that between 1987 and 1997 forty acres of open space was lost each day in Massachusetts.
The Groveland Open Space and Trails Committee have identified several undeveloped
properties that have special value. The Open Space Evaluation Criteria that has been used
by the GOSTC to evaluate open space for its acquisition value is found in Appendix H.
Undeveloped properties with the greatest value include open space that is adjacent to
existing conservation land as well as areas that support critical habitat for rare species of
wildlife and support passive recreation. The reason that properties contiguous to existing
conservation land are so important is that a single-large conservation area is considered
more advantageous to wildlife and outdoor activities than a large number of scattered
smaller properties.
Other properties that should be considered for acquisition are those that are part of an
identified greenway and provide for passive outdoor recreation, especially, it there is a
potential to extent an existing trail or incorporate a trail into a town-wide trail system. A
greenway is a critical land corridor that connects isolated pieces of open space and provides
for wildlife movement, but due to its physical size and regional scale as well as having
potentially many property owners, it is often difficult to protect such corridors.
Still other properties may be desirable for protection due to their scenic beauty and vistas
even when public access is limited or even denied. This type of property is an excellent
choice for protection by a conservation restriction (CR). A CR allows the property to stay in
private ownership but protects some aspect of its natural beauty or scenic vista usually in
perpetuity.
GOSTC has identified three local greenways – Wood Street/Crane’s Pond Wildlife
Management Area corridor, the Johnson’s Pond/Johnson’s Creek/Merrimack River corridor
and the Argilla Brook/Johnson’s Creek/Merrimack River Corridor. These corridors extend
beyond the Groveland borders, as they are integral parts of regional utility easements, the
Merrimack and Parker Rivers and/or wildlife management areas. Greenways are needed to
help ensure genetic diversity of wildlife that uses these corridors to move from one area to
another. These corridors are good sites to observe wildlife and even important for gathering
and connecting local trails, thus creating a larger trail network.
As was pointed out, undeveloped land adjacent to existing conservation land must be given
priority for acquisition. GOSTC has identified several parcels within the Meadow Pond
Conservation Area that are important parcels that would extend the existing trail system in
this area and provide an additional buffer from encroaching development. Any land
protected here would also protect critical wildlife habitat. Presently, there are two parcels
that are being actively pursued:
Page 7-1
Map 53 Parcel 2A – an 8-acre parcel that would be a buffer for encroaching development
and maintain the woodland vista of existing trails
Map 53 Parcel 4B - a 16-acre parcel that has cart roads that would extend existing trails
within the Meadow Pond Conservation Area into Georgetown
The Groveland Town Forest and its hilltop are accessible by trail from Wood Street. This
trail also connects with adjacent trails on West Newbury conservation land, providing an
extensive walk in a hilly-woodland terrain. There is also an undeveloped parcel along the
northern border of the Town Forest that has significant open space value, as it would
significantly enlarge the Town Forest and significantly extent the trail system in this section
of town. Currently, this parcel is in private ownership and the owner has not expressed an
interest in selling. This parcel would provide access from Route 113 and an interesting trail
loop along the Nichol’s Village trail easement and the Town Forest. In additional, to an open
space opportunity, this parcel presents an affordable housing possibility as well:
Map 2 Parcel 16
Next to Veasey Memorial Park, there is also a contiguous and undeveloped piece of property
that is privately owned and that would be an excellent acquisition for this conservation area.
This 12-acre parcel, which is owned by the Archdiocese of Boston, would not only increase
the park’s size by 25 percent, but would offer trail access from Salem Street:
Map 39 Parcel 67
There is a need to increase the awareness and the opportunities that local conservation land
offers to the community. Though the GOSTC has sponsored many local walks over the past
several years, the turnout of local residents has generally been disappointing. The
community should be encouraged to learn more about their local conservation land and
discover the benefits of getting outdoors, and use this land for walking and hiking, as well
as the chance to observe wildlife and learn about what lies just beyond the pavement.
Another open space issue, that is probably obvious to anyone who has lived in Groveland
even for just a few years, is that farmland has been disappearing quickly as developers
purchase this land as soon as it becomes available. As our farms fade from the landscape,
so does our community’s rural character. Generally, people would agree that there is a very
comfortable and pleasant feeling living in a rural setting. Rural communities seem to exude
that sense of presence and place. Unfortunately, there is no “silver bullet” to stop this
hemorrhage of farms. Though there are ways to save some of the remaining local farms,
this effort is becoming ever more difficult as the value of farmland skyrockets due to the
strong demand for housing in this area.
This loss of open space and farmland also has a detrimental impact on the local scenic
vistas and pastoral roadways that were once common throughout the Town. Though there
still are a few farms and scenic vistas remaining, there paucity is becoming more and more
prevalent.
7B - SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY NEEDS
The Groveland Open Space and Trails Committee has identified three primary community
needs.
One critical need is protecting our water supply. All three-production wells are being
encroached by development. As previously noted, well #3 and #4, which are situated
immediately behind and the Town Hall Complex, and are also next to the Town cemetery,
and two housing complexes as well as the Pines Recreational Park. There is no additional
land that could be purchased to provide additional buffer between these wells and
development. It should be noted that two neighboring communities, West Newbury and
Page 7-2
Georgetown, have each protected several hundred acres of land for water supply protection,
though Groveland has protected less than 60-acres of land for three production wells.
Though production well #1 is seriously threatened by development, there is still a significant
amount of undeveloped land surrounding it. In January of 2002, the Massachusetts DEP
recommended that town protect some of this undeveloped land to provide additional buffer
from development. As of yet, the Town has not heeded this advice, and now, an affordable
housing project is being proposed on the adjacent land that is mostly within the Zone II of
the aquifer that supplies this well. This project is proposing 264-units of housing, which will
further stress an aquifer that has already been impacted by two Superfund sites and an
extensive gravel and sand operation. The scope of this development project and its vicinity
to well #1 seems to belay any sense of sustainability or stewardship for the Town’s aquifer.
Production well #1 supplies more than 50 percent of the Town’s water supply, and this
demand is expected to increase significantly in the future so long as the offsite migration of
contamination from the Valley Manufacturing Superfund site can be controlled.
The Town needs to evaluate the possible use of Johnson’s Pond to help meet a significant
water demand increase in the future. A management plan for this pond is needed,
particularly, regarding the control of pond vegetation, the need to dredged sections of the
pond to increase water capacity and protective measures that will to minimize septic system
leachate and surface runoff from contaminating the pond.
The town’s population is approximately two-thirds of its predicted build-out. With this
predicted growth, the Town will face many challenges, including open space preservation.
With growth there will be additional demand for athletic fields to accommodate the
increased number of youth in the Town. It is not expected that the present number of
athletic fields will adequately meet the needs of this additional growth. The Town of
Groveland Master Plan for Parks and Recreation can be found in Appendix I.
Improvements are now being made to the Town Hall Complex, including, parking lot
expansion and the reconfiguration of outdoor areas and plaza between the Town Hall and
library. A Gazebo is also proposed in the plaza area. This would be a perfect location to
have summer entertainment performances, including concerts.
Another community concern that was expressed by the participants of the 1995 survey was
the lack of a local swimming area. The participants expressed interest in having the New
Mill Pond reopened. Since this swimming location was closed, the Town has not had a local
swimming beach. There would be some impediments to surmount before New Mill Pond
could be reopened, in particular, the widespread growth of vegetation in the pond and along
the shore, and the fact that the pond is situated down gradient from the Valley
Manufacturing Superfund site.
There is an unused railroad easement that crisscrosses the Town, which is now owned as an
easement by Massachusetts Electric. This easement provides a lengthy corridor that
continues into the neighboring communities of Haverhill, Georgetown, and Newbury and
would make an ideal walking and biking path. This easement parallels Argilla Brook from
the Merrimack River to Center Street. The easement also continues along the Merrimack
River into Bradford and across Route 97 into Georgetown and onto Newbury and
Newburyport. With inter-community cooperation and collaboration and permission from
Massachusetts Electric Corporation, a far-reaching walking and bike path could extend from
Haverhill to Newburyport.
The recent renovation of Elm Park has made the Town center more appealing to the public.
This renovation could be improved by integrating the Merrimack River into the Town center
plan. Once Baits Bridge and the Mobil Service Station are removed, there will be an
outstanding opportunity to make the river an intimate part of this town center. By having a
Page 7-3
river theme as part of the Town center would help further attract and encourage pedestrians
to stay and linger downtown. A walkway along the river and a pedestrian pier would
reinforce this theme and bring visitors to the river. Introducing a natural component will
lend to the sense of place. Obviously, handicap accessibility would be an integral part of
any river project.
7C - MANAGEMENT NEEDS, POTENTIAL CHANGE OF USE
The GOSTC has identified the following management needs:
•
The town should complete its Master Plan
•
The town should promote more community involvement by residents to use their
conservation land.
•
There should be more communication between the GOSTC and Recreation Committee as
well as the Veasey Memorial Park Committee to plan and coordinate town-related
activities, and encourage the use of conservation land and other recreation areas. The
improvements to Town Hall Complex and the plaza area that will include a gazebo
should be considered open space and used for outdoor activities, including summer
concerts.
•
Communication between the Board of Selectman and the GOSTC needs to improve.
The GOSTC should consider having their meetings at Veasey Memorial Park.
•
GOSTC and the Conservation Commission should consider additional activities that take
advantage of the local conservation areas. Some activities that could be considered are:
orienteering and map reading, learning about the local ecology and habitats and local
wildlife to name a few possibilities.
•
GOSTC should coordinate trail walks with West Newbury and Georgetown where trails
overlap and continue to work with regional groups to encourage outdoor activities.
Page 7-4
Section 8 – Goals and Objectives
Section 8 - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In this section, the four goals that were introduced in Section 6 have been aligned with
several objectives that will help accomplish these goals and reach the overall vision of this
Plan. There are a total of 12 objectives identified that are paired with the appropriate(s)
and will help this Plan succeed. Simply stated, Groveland’s small-town character and its
critical natural resources and open space are at risk from the severe pressures of
development and growth.
Goals and Objectives
The Town of Groveland is mainly a residential community with a semi-rural and small town
atmosphere, which cares for its local residents, protects its open space and recreational
assets, has a small but vital downtown area, and provides good regional access to
surrounding towns and cities through well-maintained usually non-congested transportation
corridors. It also is blessed with an abundance of protected open space, due in part to
Crane’s Pond Wildlife Management Area.
The Open Space and Recreation Plan has set the following goals to help preserve some of
the Town’s treasured and much appreciated assets. Hopefully these goals will allow
Groveland to continue to be a thriving town but with a small town character and abundant
open space with scenic country roads and a scattering of local farms. The four goals that
have been selected to best preserve Groveland’s small town image, natural resources and
open space, as well as serve the needs of local recreation are:
A.
B.
C.
growth.
Goals
New Objective Description
A, C
1. Establish and implement a program to protect water resources and quality
A, C, D
2. Develop and implement a management plan for Johnson’s Pond
A, C, D
3. Identify key parcels of land or easements
A-D
4. Create a Town wide trail system
C, D
5. Protect and preserve wildlife and their core habitat
B, C
6. Increase community awareness of open space and enjoyment of passive
recreation activities.
A-D
7. Update and implement an Active Recreation Plan
D
8. Assess and address growth and its impacts
B, D
9. Incorporate a “river theme” to enhance the sense of place of Elm Park
A-D
10. Oversee and manage the GOSRP
Page 8-1
Section 9 – Five-Year Action Plan
Section 9 - FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN
In this section a year-by-year timeline has been developed for the completion of specific
actions to accomplish some of the objectives presented in the Section 8. Goals and
objectives are prioritized relative to their importance, resources available and likely hood
that the item could be completed in a particular timeframe.
The following action plan needs to have some flexibility to account for changes in priorities
or town demands or wishes. The plan should be periodically reviewed annually to evaluate
the previous year’s implementation activities and accomplishments as well as to determine
revision that may be needed in the existing plan to keep it current and a vital document.
Town of Groveland Action Plan, Map 9-1, appears page 9-7.
Open Space and Recreation Plan Goals:
A.
B.
C.
growth.
Table 9-1 The Five-Year Action Plan
New
Goals
New Objectives
New Action
Responsibili
ty
Year
A
1. Establish and
implement a
program to protect
water resources and
quality
Enforce aquifer/groundwater
protection district to protect
existing and future well sites
BOH,
ConCom,
WSC, BOS
1-5
A
When appropriate submit written
comments to boards, committees
and government agencies
expressing the need to protect
the aquifer.
BOH,
ConCom,
WSC
1-5
A, C
Encourage the WSC to submit for
aquifer protection grants
GOSTC
1-5
A, C
Encourage the Town to protect
as much of the Zone II recharge
areas
GOSTC
1-2
A
Educate the community about
where their drinking water come
from and the important of
protecting their water supply to
BOH,
ConCom,
WSC
1-5
Page 9-1
New
Goals
New Objectives
New Action
Responsibili
ty
Year
Revive the Johnson’s Pond Study
Committee
BOS, WSC,
ConCom,
GOSTC, JPSC
1-3
Present recommendations from
MPJP to BOS and WSC
JPSC
3
Identity and map key parcels
GOSTC,
MVPC,
ConCom
1-5
A-D
Evaluate and revise Open Space
Criteria - the evaluation of open
space is the first step to
determine lands conservation
value. As the amount of open
space in the Town shrinks,
prioritizing the remaining land
becomes critical.
GOSTC
1
A-C
Work with landowners to obtain
conservation restrictions and trail
easements
GOSTC, Con
Com, MVPC,
ECGA
1-5
A-C
Actively encourage APR
designations for town agricultural
lands
GOSTC,
ConCom
1-5
C, D
Continue to develop and
maintain relationships with public
and private organizations that
will assist Groveland in its
preservation efforts (ECGA,
EOEA, F&A, MRWC, etc.)
ConCom,
GOSTC
1-5
B, C
Work with Town to develop
additional tax incentives for open
space, farmland preservation,
recreation and conservation
restrictions, and trail easements.
GOSTC, BOA
1-5
A-D
Pursue grant funding for land
acquisition, especially, Self Help
for conservation land and
recreation parks
GOSTC,
ConCom,
WSC
1-5
Identity and map existing trails
and parcels critical to trail
connection
GOSTC
1-2
Maintain exiting trails
GOSTC
1-5
ensure its quality
B
2. Develop and
implement a
management plan
for Johnson’s Pond
(MPJP)
B
A-D
D
D
3. Identify key
parcels of land or
easements
4. Create a Town
wide trail system
Page 9-2
New
Goals
New Action
Responsibili
ty
Year
C, D
Cooperate with the Georgetown
and West Newbury conservation
groups to improve and maintain
intercommunity trails, especially
near Meadow Pond Conservation
Area and The Town Forest
GOSTC
1-5
C
Coordinate intercommunity
interest in developing
walking/hiking trails along utility
easement
GOSTC,
GOSC,
WNOSC,
MVPC, UG
Nurture and protect the local
rare wildlife that has been
documented by NESHP,
particularly, the several species
of rare herpes that inhabit an
area referred to as “Turtleland”.
GOSTC,
ConCom
1-5
C
Encourage programs that
support wildlife, such as the
Veasey nesting box program and
the Blanding’s turtle research
project in order to bring
awareness to the Town’s wildlife
GOSTC,
ConCom,
VMPC
1-5
C
Make community aware of their
local wildlife, especially, the rare
species.
GOSTC,
ConCom,
GOSC
1-5
C
Cooperate with Mass DFW to
protect core habitat of rare
species
GOSTC,
ConCom,
GOSC, MVPC,
ECGA
1-2
Plan outdoor activities and create
opportunities for community to
get outdoors
GOSTC, REC
1-5
Implement education and
awareness program of activities
and importance of open space
GOSTC,
ConCom,
VMPC, REC
1-5
C
D
A-C
New Objectives
5. Protect and
preserve wildlife and
their core habitat
6. Increase
community
awareness of open
space and
enjoyment of
passive recreation
activities
Page 9-3
New
Goals
New Action
Responsibili
ty
Year
D
Develop and implement a
management plan for
conservation land for passive
recreation
GOSTC,
ConCom,
VMPC
1-5
D
Manage passive recreation
activities for conservation areas
GOSTC,
ConCom
1-5
D
Manage passive recreation
activities for conservation areas
GOSTC,
ConCom
1-5
C, D
Implement education and
awareness about the Open Space
& Recreation Plan
GOSTC,
ConCom,
REC, VMPC
1-5
Identify, prioritize and address
needs for youth and adult sport
recreation programs.
REC
1-5
D
needs for additional athletic
facilities.
REC
1-5
D
needs for senior recreation
programs
REC, COA
1-5
Complete the Town’s Master
Plan, which will include an
accurate, up-to-date build-out
analysis, and growth
management plan.
PB, MVPC
2-4
A, C
Enforce current zoning by-laws
and regulations, particularly,
CSD bylaw and covenant open
space
PB, BOS
1-5
A, C
Enforce existing wetlands
regulations
ConCom
1-5
B
Enforce local and state laws that
protect stone walls
PB, BOS
1-5
B, C
Review and revise as needed
CSD By-law
PB, GOSTC
Create a Elm Park River Theme
Committee to study options for
giving the Town center more of a
sense of place by focusing on the
assets of the Merrimack River
BOS, Town
Square
Committee,
PB, GOSTC
D
A-D
B, D
New Objectives
7. Update and
implement an Active
Recreation Plan
8. Assess and
address growth and
its impacts
9. Incorporate a
“river theme” to
enhance the sense
of place of Elm Park
Page 9-4
1-5
New
Goals
New Objectives
New Action
Responsibili
ty
Year
A-D
10. Oversee and
manage the GOSRP
Review GOSRP annually.
Evaluate implementation
activities of the previous year
and revise the action plan
accordingly.
GOSTC
1-5
A-D
Implement objectives and
provide ongoing update to BOS
and town, etc.
GOSTC
1-5
A-D
Recruit more local residents who
have an interest in open space
and the desire to participate
GOSTC
1-5
Table 9-1 Abbreviations
BOA
Board of Assessors
MVPC
Merrimack Valley Planning
Commission
BOH
Board of Health
JPSC
Johnson’s Pond Study
Committee
BOS
Board of Selectmen
REC
Recreation Committee
COA
Council on Aging
PB
Planning Board
Con
Com
Conservation Commission
TM
Town Meeting
EOEA
Executive Office of
Environmental Affairs
VMPC
Veasey Memorial Park
Committee
TSC
Town Square Committee
WNOSC
West Newbury Open Space
Committee
GOSC
Georgetown Open Space
Committee
WSC
Water & Sewer Commission
GOSTC
Groveland Open Space and
Trails Committee
UG
Utility Groups
HC
Historical Commission
ZBA
Zoning Board of Appeals
F&A
Mass Food & Agriculture Dept.
Page 9-5
MAP 9-1: Town of Groveland Action Plan
Page 9-6
Section 10 – Public Comment
Section 10 - PUBLIC COMMENT
This material is to be added after review by boards, committees and interested citizens.
Page 10-1
Section 11 – References
Section 11 - REFERENCES
1996 Community Action Statement Groveland, Massachusetts Executive Office of
Communities and Development, Division of Community Services. Submitted June 28. 1996.
Blanding’s Turtle Conservation Plan. A Study on Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
Movements, Habitat Management, Rare Species Observations and Vernal Pool Certification
Prepared for Boxford, Groveland, and Georgetown. Essex County, Massachusetts. 2003
Mark Grgurovic
A Community Development Vision Action Plan for the Town of Groveland, April 23, 2004,
Larry Koff & Associates,
Groveland Master Plan, “Draft” for Planning Board, February 15, 2001 Cammett
Engineering, Amesbury, MA.
The Groveland Open Space and Recreation Plan
History of Groveland,: 1776-1976; Sarah E. Johansen; Rowley Printing, Inc.; 1976
Town of Groveland, Open Space and Recreation Plan. Groveland Open Space and
Recreation Committee, April 1997.
Groveland Conservation Subdivision Bylaw, Town of Groveland, Massachusetts
Groveland Aquifer Overlay District Bylaw, Town of Groveland, Massachusetts
A Field Guide to Trees and Shrub: The Peterson Field Guide Series Petrides, George A.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1958.
Peterson Field Guide, Eastern Birds; Peterson, Roger Tory
National Audubon Field Guide to North American Trees, Eastern Region, 14th Printing 1994,
Elbert L. Little Knopf, Inc.
Field Guide to New England, National Audubon Society, Alden, Peter, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.,
1998
West Newbury Open Space and Recreation Plan, June 1, 2003
Georgetown Open Space Plan, Town of Georgetown, 2001
Town of Groveland, Open Space and Recreation Plan; Groveland Open Space and Recreation
Committee, April 1997.
Town of Groveland 2004 Annual Water Quality Report, Groveland Water Department
Losing Ground: At What Cost? Massachusetts Audubon Society
The Open Space Planner’s Workbook, EOEA
The 2000 US Census
EOEA Water Assets Study Community Report, dated June 2004
The Parker River Watershed Assessment Report / 2001
Green Neighborhoods / Open Space Residential Design in Massachusetts
http://greenneighborhoods.org/site/Index.htm
EPA Waste Site Cleanup & Reuse in New England/Groveland Wells #1 & 2 SITE … EPA
http://yosemite.epa.gov/r1/npl_pad.nsf/701b6886f189ceae85256bd20014e93d/accdf91e74
362e9e8525691f0063f6cc?OpenDocument
Page 11-1
Section 11 – References
Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Data, 2004
Department of Environmental Engineering Regulations
Massachusetts Wildlife Website
Page 11-2
Appendices
Section 12 - APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: GROVELAND WELLS NO.1 & 2 SUPERFUND SITE
APPENDIX B: CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION DESIGN DIVISION BYLAW
APPENDIX G: VEASEY MEMORIAL PARK NESTING BOX SUMMARY FOR 2005/2006
APPENDIX I: GROVELAND MASTER PLAN – PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 12-1
Appendices
APPENDIX A: GROVELAND WELLS NO.1 & 2 SUPERFUND
SITE
Appendices
APPENDIX B: CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION DESIGN
DIVISION BYLAW
Appendices
Appendices
Appendices
Appendices
Appendices
APPENDIX G: VEASEY MEMORIAL PARK NESTING BOX
SUMMARY FOR 2005/2006
Appendices
Appendices
APPENDIX I: GROVELAND MASTER PLAN – PARKS AND
RECREATION

Groveland Open Space and Recreation Plan

Transcription

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