Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes of the Montpelier Conservation Commission March 13, 2014 Attendees: John Fox, Stephanie Olson (Parks/MCC VISTA), Geoff Beyer, Ben Eastwood, Jim Murphy, Roy Schiff, Donna Bates (City Councilor), Nat Frothingham (The Bridge), Melissa Perley (Citizens to Protect Berlin Pond)  Minutes o Approved minutes from February meeting without edits.  Carr Lot o Reviewed proposals by Redstone and DEW  Would like to see removal of contaminated soils if possible  Both mention low-impact development and river access  Berlin Pond o Melissa reviewed petition to ANR from Citizens Group  History / Facts  Opened for recreation in May 2012  1884 was first use as drinking water  2000 plant in operation to produce 4 MGD  Increase in disinfection bi-products  East Orange Reservoir in Barre opened 1994 and rapidly fished out, then closed  Wachussetts Reservoir serving Boston has large buffer, no recreation  Poop factor can impair drinking water as filter plant cannot treat  Opening of Stiles Pond in St. J. followed opening of Berlin Pond  Petition goal  Restore Normal Use prior to Jan 1, 1993  Concern about confusion with City’s petition to ban petroleum products on pond.  Does City have backup drinking water plan?  Cleaning filters more that would require more cost to run plant  Upgrade plant, very expensive  Add staff at plant to monitor streams and pond  No other source readily available  Purchase water  Commission unanimously in support of closing pond  Draft letter of support for Citizen’s petition  Help with outreach around City to promote water quality protection and limiting access to the fragile pond ecosystem.  Education assistance  City has made pragmatic response with its request to ban petroleum products on pond for limited access 1   State seems to generally support access to the pond, yet push back may be justified given sole drinking water source.  Concern about small colony of invasive Eurasian water milfoil that now exists in pond and spreading other invasives that could reduce water quality.  Is a City Charter change a possible method to eliminate access?  Current status of access plans by DFW or Berlin unknown.  Commission to discuss issue with City Council to get clarity on view of the City leaders and staff, and to see what action the City is willing to take.  Enforcement of access laws and parking and boat wash may help for now.  Tasks o All –Prepare conservation survey revisions in 1-2 weeks and circulate. o Roy – Send out draft support letter for Berlin Pond petition. Contact David on Berlin Pond. o John – post approved minutes from Feb. o Shawn –Carr Lot committee o Ben – Carr Lot committee. Seek re-appointment for full term. Mention Berlin Pond. o Geoff – Contact Warren on Berlin Pond o Jim – Contact David on Berlin Pond. Review draft letter of support. o Chris – summarize pond ruling to us and current City actions. 2