Pond at Cross Mills

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Site-Specific Findings

57 respondents (26 Phase II)

This site ranked first in the analysis of how frequently driving past sites affects valuation. Because of its position along Old Post Road, this site possesses visual prominence in the community. Apparently, there is confusion over the name of this pond, based on the title given to it for the survey by the Town Planner. In respondent comments (see below, Question 6), residents identify it as Perry Pond, instead of Cross Mills Pond. Respondents report that the most appropriate uses for this site, if acquired as openspace, would be to use it as a wildlife preserve with hiking paths or for a setting/picnic area. The longitudinal analysis of residence time found that this site is highly valued amongst residents, regardless of how long respondents have lived in Charlestown. The longitudinal analysis of respondent age found that this is the most valued site by respondents 60 years and older.

2. How familiar are you with this site?
0
 Not familiar
14 Somewhat familiar
43 Very familiar
3. Do you spend time here?
30 Yes
27 No
4. Do you drive past this site often?
53 Yes
4 No
5. Listed below are two statements about this site. Next to each statement are five numbers representing different levels of agreement or disagreement. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the statements.
  • If I moved away from Charlestown, I would miss this site.
  0 Strongly disagree
4 Disagree
8 Neutral
19 Agree
26 Strongly Agree
  • This site significantly contributes to the unique character of Charlestown.
  0 Strongly disagree
1 Disagree
8 Neutral
19 Agree
29 Strongly Agree

7. Compared with other sites in Charlestown, how important is it to have this land protected as open space?

Not important at all
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very important
0
2
3
1
3
1
6
5
5
28
8. Please indicate how much you would either support or oppose efforts to use this site as a:
Strongly Oppose
Oppose
Neutral
Support
Strongly Support
ball field
25
18
5
2
1
swimming area-if possible
19
9
11
11
1
hunting/fishing area
17
12
10
9
3
wildlife preserve with hiking paths
5
4
2
31
13
wildlife preserve where people are not allowed
13
6
11
12
8
setting/picnic area
7
3
10
15
22
camping area
33
7
8
4
1
 

6. What changes, if any, would you make to improve this landscape?

  • With Ninigret Park so near, I'm not sure this site should have a high priority to be controlled by the Town.
  • Nothing. It is gorgeous
  • It should remain as it is now
  • The surrounding wetlands and private investment pretty well control its destiny. It is not likely to change too much in my opinion.
  • Keep it clean and protected.
  • Clean up the surrounding public & private property
  • This is my back yard. I would have a trash receptacle placed at the fire station for people to use so the garbage wouldn't float across the pond to my back yard. I believe that all water ways are to be preserved for nature.
  • Provide more picnic and fishing area.
  • I'm not terribly familiar with this area, so I am not sure, but I think it might be nice if a bike trail were put in to connect to Ninigret Park. In fact, in an ideal world, I would love to see bike/running trails connecting the whole town. I think the area is picturesque and would try to keep the integrity of the scenery, but I would not be opposed to tasteful building around or near the site.
  • I would make sure no additional building occurs around the perimeter and enforce DEM regulations on not allowing vegetation cutting by some perimeter property owners to the water's edge; provide waste receptacles near the fire station to encourage people not to litter and throw refuse into the pond. Landscape with some native shrubs/flowers around the bench area. This is locally called "Perry's Pond"; Cross Mill Pond is a little further further north and west of Perry's Pond.
  • Relocate the fire station.
  • It would be a better site if the firehouse were moved to another location. It is a unique site in that it is on the main commercial road of the town and as such could play a major role in setting the tone and quality of the future "downtown" or commercial area of the town.

GIS Analysis - The Results of the Scoring System Analysis

Below is a table containing the results for parcels at this site that were included in Matthew Amengual's GIS Analysis. This provides information about how many points the parcel received in the scoring system, along with the amount of culture points assigned to the site from the Internet survey results. The culture points assigned to each site were taken from the weighted score derived from responses to the question, "Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statement. This site significantly contributes to the unique character of Charlestown." Weighted scores were then scaled, along with all other factors weighted for the scoring system, to fit an overall distribution of 1000 points.

Parcel Number 010-144-001
Points/Dollar/Acre 72
Units at Buildout 2
Density - Units per Acre 0
Natural Resource Points 55
Points Awarded from the Web Survey - Culture Points 144
Suggested Site Points  
Growth Points 0
Area Acres 12
Area Point 0
Total Points 199
Assessed Value 33500
Agriculture Percentage 0
Soil Percentage 7
Greenway Percentage 0
Historic Percentage 0
Scenic Percentage 0
Groundwater Reservoir Percentage 0
CWHPA Percentage 0
Groundwater Recharge Percentage 0
NCWHPA Percentage 26
River Buffer Percentage 0
Wetland Buffer Percentage 55
Forest and Brushland Percentage 0
Openspace Buffer Percentage 0
Rare Species Percentage 55

 

Click on map to view enlarged Visual Inventory:

 
CES Land Use Theses Contact: Justin Huxol