Parks Commission

Parks Commission Minutes January 17, 2012 Attendees: Geoff Beyer Aaron Brondyke Emily Boedecker Cara Robechek Lyn Munno Leigh Seddon December minutes were voted on and approved. Commissioners discussed upcoming changes to the members of the commission. Leigh Seddon’s last meeting as a commissioner is February, 2012. Those interested in running for parks commission need to collect 25 signatures to be on the ballot, get 25 write-ins, or if no candidates are on the ballot the current commissioners can appoint a new commissioner. The commission is aware of one candidate planning to run. A quorum of 3 commissioners is required to vote on any decisions made by the commission. Geoff Beyer attended recent Montpelier budget hearings. No significant cuts to parks have been proposed in the current version of budget. Commissioners Nancy Sherman and Sarah Jarvis spoke in defense of parks commission. The final town budget meeting will be held on Thurs 26th. Aaron Brondyke and Roy Schiff are on the agenda for the Planning commission meeting Mon 23, Jan, to discuss the parks and conservation greenprint for town vision/plan. Commissioners discussed that as neighborhoods are prioritized for development advance planning and implementation is needed for parks and greenway connectors. The importance of these connectors to serve populations in developing areas of town increases with the pace of development. Orchard sub-committee update. Lyn and Emily will schedule meeting of subcommittees in February to review design updates and information for a presentation to the commission in March. Geoff was asked by the town to propose parks measures. Commissioners reviewed proposed measures, which include # volunteers, volunteer hours, acres mowed, lawns mowed weekly, number of visits, users, and miles of trails in good condition and maintained. Lyn suggested adding a metric for invasive species monitoring and control. Geoff presented an update on recent parks activity: Investigating possibility of getting an intern from UVM Rubenstein for invasive species monitoring and control, and to work on an interpretive trail. Position is posted on the website.  A regular walker in the park was rescued recently after falling by the fire crew. Geoff assisted. He suggested inviting the fire crew to learn about parks equipment available to aid in any future incidents. Commissioners agreed. One truck is in need of repair, with a dealer estimate of the cost at $4,500. Dave and town garage can take care of ¾ of the maintenance needs, but will require some work at the dealership. The Towns requirement that the Parks Dept. plow park roads is taking a toll on equipment, and increasing capital and maintenance costs. Onion River Sports has scheduled a snowshoe romp in the park this Friday. ORS offers free equipment, hot chocolate and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Permission request is late with apologizes. Commissioners approved this event. Still waiting for decision from FEMA on Irene related repairs for Peace Park and North Branch Park. Request is for $10,000. Essential repairs, material and labor, close to $6,000 already spent, additional repairs dependent on funds. Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm