Open Space and Recreation Plan Advisory Committee

MEMBERSHIP: The OSRP Advisory Committee will be composed of five (5) voting members, including either the Chair or a designee of each of the following entities:

  • Community Preservation Committee or Comprehensive Capital Budget Committee
  • Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee
  • Conservation Commission
  • Council on Aging, Disability Access Commission, or Age Friendly Action Committee
  • Recreation Commission


In addition, representatives from the following Town departments may serve as occasional ex officio (non‐voting) members or consultants, at the direction of the Town Administrator:

  • Community Services
  • Department of Public Works
  • Facilities
  • Planning


The Town Administrator will designate the Town staff member who has administrative responsibility for OSRP activities and delivery of its final work product to both the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and the Select Board.

TIMETABLE:          To begin w/ appointment and end August 30, 2026

2025‐2026 MEETING SCHEDULE: The Committee shall meet at least once monthly until completion of the final draft of the OSRP Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. The Committee shall also attend a kickoff meeting with the Comprehensive Plan consultant.

MISSION: Coordinate the development of the OSRP Seven‐Year Action Plan with the OSRP Plan consultants and among the various departments, boards, committees, and organizations that would be responsible for the action items.

WORK PRODUCT: The OSRP Plan shall be presented to both the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and the Select Board for their review and approval. The OSRP shall comply with guidance from the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services (DCS) and current OSRP requirements, most recently updated in 2025, such that the state‐approved OSRP will render Belmont eligible for DCS grants for up to 10 years.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Assist in acquiring background information for the consultants to establish existing conditions and provide information regarding goals, objectives, and strategies for the OSRP related to open space and recreation needs in Belmont;
  • Provide an assessment of the open space and recreation Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) as part of the strategic framework for the OSRP;
  • Produce a final summary report of all activities for inclusion in the Annual Town Report.
  • With support as needed from Town staff, maintain a presence on the Town website with the progress of OSRP in relation to the development of the full Comprehensive Plan, for viewing by the public.
  • Coordinate with Belmont’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee on inclusion of the Open Space and Recreation Plan within it.
  • Assist in conducting an online OSRP public survey.
  • Organize and administer two (2) public meetings as required.
  • Assist as necessary with tasks related to submitting the OSRP and obtaining acceptance and approval by accepted and approved by DCS.
  • Present quarterly progress reports

 

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

In addition to the Mission, Work Product, and Responsibilities set forth above, the OSRP Committee shall also attempt to address the following challenges specific to Belmont:

  • Loss of urban forest to ongoing development;
  • Management of stormwater runoff, particularly in areas adjacent to and downhill from Belmont Hill;
  • Balancing compelling economic and commercial real estate development needs with open space and recreation;
  • Limiting the future expansion of non‐taxpaying entities into areas adjacent to current open space (Habitat, Lone Tree Hill, Rock Meadow, Beaver Brook) through the acquisition of strategic conservation easements; and
  • The need for changes to the Zoning Bylaw to provide additional protections for de facto open space that is currently zoned for single‐family housing development.