Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes of the Montpelier Conservation Commission December 13, 2012 Attendees: Karen Freeman, Geoff Beyer, Jeanie Williams, Erik Escelstyn, Alex Hoffmeier, Shawn White, Meghan Hoyne-Wingate, Chris Hilke, Roy Schiff, Bob Link (VLT), Gwen Hallsmith (Planning), Aaron Brondyke (Conservation Fund/Parks Commission)  Presentation by Bob Link of the Vermont Land Trust on Williams property at Berlin Pond o Parcel about 160ac, in vicinity of Pond, but not adjacent. o Easement sale or donation possible. No property sale. o Cell line on property. o Rich northern hardwoods habitat near top. o There is need to re-visit conservation efforts at pond to protect water quality  Planned approach as tried in past.  Prioritize so City can put effort and limited resources in best place.  Look into opportunities as they arise.  Roy to circulate 2005 report.  Opportunistic.  Both likely preferred. o Parcels with streams on them key. Pond depth only 8 feet and needs buffering to maintain water quality. o Public access opportunities unknown at time. Check in with Montpelier Mt Bike Association as they have done a bit of trail work in area. o Possibility of VHCB private working forest grants for some project funding? o Bob to send information for MCC to review and evaluate to keep conversation going. o Urgency of water as natural resource of utmost importance should make this possible conservation project high on MCC and City list.  Website update from Karen o Re-enabled MCC site. o Minutes upload available. Karen to get minutes on website. o Eric leaving so MCC will need to manage site more on its own to keep current.  Update on Zoning Amendments by Gwen o Discussion continues on buffers and MCC should attend  Roy to circulate schedule of dates so one MCC member can sign up and report back to group to stay connected to zoning better. Next meetings 14th and 28th in January. o MCC to look at several proposals for wetland mapping. Group voted to pursue this for the City.  Montpelier Conservation Fund Overview by Aaron o Text needs tweaking if legislation allowed. Aaron to check on this.  Mention of water quality protection needed.  May want land to be outside of City if serves function for City (such as at Berlin Pond).   Roy to circulate draft of guidelines edits. o Current committee Aaron Brondyke, Christine Zacci, Anthony Irapino, Emily Bodecker, Kris Hammer.  One or two current commissioners should be on committee. Any volunteers? o Explore possible conservation projects  Stump dump parcel (Brindle)  Berlin Pond (Williams)  Others?  Budget update by Roy o Sandy sent summary of past years and current expenditures.  $4, 243 remains for FY2013 and $9,250 remains from carry over for total of $13,493. o Funding request level for this year at $6,750. o Reminder of budget use procedures  Requests to chair for circulation and discussion by commission for approval.  Invoices of approved expenses submitted to chair for submission to City. o Fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.  Budget requests go to City in October. Email Sandy.  Contact City in June to carry over or restrict funds for future projects.  Announcements o Shawn brought up potential for project with Friends of Winooski to be done by spring.  Implementation project on City land.  Library rain garden.  Schools.  Planting on river banks by Coop, Shaws, etc.  Tree well in City.  Check with Dan on others using his flow mapping.  Free rain barrel (check with Justin Kinney).  Workshop  Tours of rain gardens or other LID stormwater techniques  Coop  CCV  SUMMARY OF TASKS o Karen: minutes post on web o Erik: keep up with Berlin Pond o Geoff: send Roy invoice for tree grate o Jeanie: share bike group information with commission o Roy: Conservation fund guidelines edits to group, Planning Commission schedule, send out 2005 Berlin Pond report, wetland delineation quotes for group. o All: Sign up for Planning Commission meeting, think of possible stormwater projects, think of conservation projects.