Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes of the Montpelier Conservation Commission September 11, 2014 Attendees: Chris Hilke, John Fox, Geoff Beyer, Ben Eastwood, Shawn White, Jim Murphy, Roy Schiff  Review changes to open meeting laws o Roy to request booklets from VLCT. o Chris to send around PDF of new law. o Post agenda 2 days before meeting on website o 5 days to have draft minutes on website o Need quorum and properly warned meeting for discussions o John ok to ramp up the posting.  One Taylor Street o MCC still advocating for green space and river access o City Council approved 30 apartments o 45 parking spaces. Can that be lower? o 4 story building o Currently in concept design phase o Net zero building planned o Ben reviewed his letter about the Corrective Action Plan and concerns about remaining PCB pollution especially in bank. Additional retaining wall planned with a price of about $450,000. o We would like river access and amphitheater. o Kayak course planned. River access could be like South Platte in Denver. Roy to send photos.  Berlin Pond o ANR denied Citizen’s petition for full protection that MCC and City were behind. Approved non-motorized use. o Appeal likely o Does the possibility for a charter change exist? Roy to research.  Shawn has been doing outfall monitoring in Barre and Montpelier with Friends of the Winooski.  Roy to email Matt and Anne Watson about new high school representatives.  Garden at 45 Elm o Buffer planting next year o Trying to extend through Codyville o Nature Center to Spring street would be ideal o MCC agreed to volunteer to do plantings one weekend next year.  Invasive disposal regulations o Anne Watson suggested the City may need a rule for proper disposal of invasive species. Roy to research. o Public outreach is needed  General plans for the upcoming year – The year of the river, buffer, and water 1  o Riparian plantings along North Branch o River revitalization at One Taylor Street o Toxic hot spot survey o Invasive species handling o One Taylor / parking garage o Berlin Pond o Strengthen relationship with Planning Commission and City Council  Roy to send out meeting schedules and sign up to take turn attending and reporting back in at our meetings. o Zoning amendments  Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions annual meeting at Montpelier High School November 1 (Saturday). o Interest to participate  Check schedules and respond to Roy if can make it  MCC display  Assist with setup and other logistics  Welcome back! 2