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Committee forms Hawthorns subcommittee after Midpen decision; committee given budget numbers to consider
Summary
The Portola Valley Open Space Committee formed a short‑term Hawthorns subcommittee (Betsy Morgenthaler and Nona Ceriello) after Chair Morgenthaler summarized a Midpen special meeting; Midpen budget figures (about $1,000,000 budgeted and $490,000 spent through June 30) were discussed and committee members were advised to expect heavy engagement.
The Portola Valley Open Space Committee created a Hawthorns subcommittee for 2026 and discussed what to expect after a recent Midpen Regional Open Space District meeting on the Hawthorns area.
Chair Betsy Morgenthaler told the committee that Midpen considered two options at a Dec. 10 special meeting: defer the 13‑acre Hawthorns historic complex until the larger Hawthorns area plan is adopted and underway, or defer the area plan and redeploy staff. Morgenthaler said two directors on the Midpen subcommittee initially supported option 1 and that the board ultimately adopted the path that preserves an opening for the historic complex if Portola Valley brings a plan forward. She told the committee Midpen’s FY25–26 budget “envisions Hawthorne spending $1,000,000” and that about $490,000 had already been expended through June 30; the committee noted some transcript figures were garbled and should be confirmed with Midpen before publication.
Given the likely workload, Morgenthaler proposed and the committee approved a short‑term Hawthorns subcommittee for 2026 with Morgenthaler and Vice‑Chair Nona Ceriello as the initial members; Jackie Magno seconded the motion. The committee discussed that the subcommittee would be needed to review site‑specific materials, coordinate with staff and monitor Midpen’s anticipated actions.
Committee members also raised related items for future agendas including connectivity, trails and wildlife corridors, possible conservation easements and the use of underutilized town‑owned parcels to improve trail links and access. The committee adjourned after scheduling follow‑ups and planning possible criteria for selecting priority acquisitions and easements.
