Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes of the Montpelier Conservation Commission November 8, 2012 Attendees: Chris Hilke, Shawn White, Erik Escelstyn, Karen Freeman, Geoff Beyer, Jeanie Williams, Meghan Hoyne-Wingate, Roy Schiff  Minutes and record keeping o Karen, Erik, and Chris to review minutes so we can get current. o Karen to receive PDFs from Roy to work with Eric to get on City website.  Berlin Pond o Erik provided update o Town of Berlin voted to keep pond open on Tuesday o Wetland issue at proposed parking and access location. o Review Act 138 for anti-degradation policy in rivers and lakes. Roy to email to group. o Options were discussed.  Ask City Council to press state to allow for municipalities to protect water supply.  Propose water supply protection for municipalities in state.  Collect information meaningful to people such as possible changes to water rates and water quality to provide education to City Council and public. o Group decided that next step is to contact several people who may have good information to help case to protect water and wildlife.  VNRC – Kim Greenwood and Jamie Fidel (Chris)  CLF – Anthony Irapino (Roy)  DPW – Todd Law and Plant Operator (Erik)  Projects and Budget o Roy requested payment for $700 for Friends of the Winooski for Montpelier Stormwater Workshop o Geoff requested payment for orchard plantings and UVM intern. o Geoff to get Roy information on tree grate. o All invoices to be emailed to chair (or volunteer to be treasurer) for approval and record keeping. o Group decided to request level funding. Roy will send email to Sandy. o Roy will request budget summary to share with group next meeting.  Conservation Opportunities o Parcel near the stump dump. o Request from VLT for Berlin Pond Parcel. Map to be sent to group again for review.  Bike and Pedestrian Activity o Jeanie and Geoff provided update of recent City meeting sponsored by Mayor  Trails, events, and infrastructure/safety groups.  City initiative to be model bike friendly.   Google group to be formed for messages and next meetings.  Ride bikes to our meetings and around Town!  Target Resource Overlay District o Based on feedback from Planning Commission and City Council approach to increase parcel sizes and guide density bonuses based on conservation values does not seem acceptable.  Do these elected officials reflect view of City?  Past survey and events around possible development of large lots suggests citizens more into open space protection and thoughtful development o Does the Planning Commission believe that the entire City is a growth center? o Options  Work with Gwen to overcome this apparent misguided sentiment to reactivate the Envision stakeholders as the ideas in the Master Plan are being undermined.  Work with Gwen to have MCC seat on the technical review committee. MCC can refer to map even though not in code to help us understand what is there.  Perform City wetland mapping. Check with Planning Commission to partner on cost. o Request data from Dan to have in records and post on website. o MCC to think if there are a few variables that we should focus on to simplify the map and possibly seek some review.  Wetlands  Steep slopes  Trails  TASKS o Karen: minutes review and post on web once finalized o Chris: minutes review, call VNR about Berlin Pond o Erik: keep up with Berlin Pond, call DPW o Geoff: send Roy invoice for tree grate o Jeanie: share bike group information with commission o Roy: talk with CLF on Berlin Pond, request level funding and budget recap, request TROD maps and data from Dan, talk with Gwen on TROD, check with Planning Commission on wetland mapping o All: consider if there are a few variables that we should go for educating City on as part of zoning amendments.