Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes of the Montpelier Conservation Commission January 9, 2014 Attendees: Shawn White, John Fox, Stephanie Olson (Parks/MCC VISTA), Geoff Beyer, Chris Hilke, Ben Eastwood, Roy Schiff  Minutes o Edited and approved minutes from last meeting.  Stephanie presented slide show of MCC/Parks VISTA work o Manage work crews (MHS, NBNC, UES, and others) o Trail work, invasive removal, tree planting, community garden work o Education and grant writing o Looking for community garden spot  Murray Hill area?  Near Sabin’s Pasture?  Conservation Survey o Reviewed John’s edit to first draft.  Add pie charts and refine appearance o Revisions to be sent around and then assemble group of 1-sheeters to share results in user-friendly format o Topics and assignments  Berlin Pond – Roy  Climate Change – Chris and Mahima  Natural Resource Protection – Karen and Shawn  Parks and Recreation – Stephanie and Geoff  Planning and Zoning – John and Ben  Carr Lot o Update from committee meetings by Shawn  Building to be 2-6 floors  City on 1st floor, CCTA station, possibly grey hound buses too  4,000 SF  Coffee, art space, state welcome center  Developer-owner upper floors  Preference is to minimize parking  Amount of green space versus lot development up in air still  Park desired by MCC and by citizens according to City vote when project was last active  Bike path bridge linked to project  Shawn to email Paul Markowitz about outcome of last design charette where 50% open space was desired o MCC desires 1   Make decision to have open space with building  Improve blighted area  More than green strip to invite people to rivers in safe and appealing spot  Historical site?  Small amphitheater  Farmers market space o MCC to draft letter about our views and last Charette  Geoff to write draft  Roy to contact Planning Department  MHS parking lot o Believe that this was tabled by the School Board and citizens. o Roy to follow-up  Tasks o Roy – revise survey sheet and send out for comments, email School Board on parking lot, email Bill about bike path bridge o John – review website with Karen, newsletter mock-up o Karen – minutes upload, work with John on web ideas o Shawn – share MCC ideas with Carr Lot committee o Ben – Carr Lot committee o All – Review survey template on Berlin Pond. Prepare drafts PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING for circulation and review. 2