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Franklin committee to skip prescribed burn at Negri this year; plans October mowing and John Clyde application
Summary
After lengthy discussion about prescribed burns, nesting-bird windows and fire-service capacity, the committee agreed not to apply for a burn at Negri this year, will apply for the usual John Clyde burn and plans at least one October mow (with a possible February follow-up) to manage the grasslands.
Committee discussion on June 16 focused on how to manage native grasslands—particularly Negri (referred in the transcript as Negri/Negriot/Napody) and the John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve—after prescribed-burn scheduling problems and concerns about nesting birds and adjacent homes.
A committee member who put the topic on the agenda explained that the township routinely applies to the state fire service for free prescribed burns but this year the service burned John Clyde twice and did not burn Negri; because of that sequencing Negri missed its usual mow-and-burn cycle and cannot be responsibly burned now because nesting birds are present. “We were hoping to have it burned. It didn't get burned like it was supposed to. We cannot burn now…I’m on the schedule for October 1st to burn,” the member said.
Members discussed alternatives and constraints: the fire service typically gives one day’s notice and the service has limited personnel, making nearby houses and smoke control a concern at Negri. The committee agreed that mowing in October (after October 1) is the prudent step to reduce that year's tall growth. If needed, the group discussed a contingency second mow in late February or early March (weather permitting) to reduce regrowth before nesting season begins; however, members noted the risk that winter weather could prevent a February mow.
On balance the committee decided not to submit an application to burn Negri this year because of resource and proximity concerns and will submit the usual application for John Clyde, which the fire service does burn successfully. Staff will schedule mowing (October 1 or soon after) for Negri and coordinate with DPW and the fire service on timing and notification. The decision was procedural and operational; the committee did not adopt a new ordinance or formal policy change at the meeting.
Next procedural steps: staff will place mowing on the October schedule and proceed with the John Clyde burn application; if circumstances change the township can modify applications with sufficient notice to the fire service.
