Middlesex Conservation Commission
Minutes of Meeting November 10, 2004
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Middlesex Town Hall
Middlesex, Vermont


Attendees
Duncan Nichols
Heather Furman
Dave Shepard
Rick Paradis
Bill Rossmassler
Barry Goodman
Gary Miller

Call to Order
7:14 pm

Administrative Operations
Approval of Minutes
  A motion was made by Bill and seconded by Heather to approve the July, 2004 minutes. A motion was made by Barry and seconded by Duncan to approve the August, 2004 minutes. Both motions passed unanimously.

Treasures Report
  Heather asked about the $5000.00 appropriation from Town Meeting for the Conservation Fund, and where that money was housed. Dave investigated and replied that the Select Board was holding it in a separate account. Rick will find our where the account is and what the account number is in case someone wants to contribute to the Fund. Contributions to the Fund are tax-deductible.
  Duncan reported that there is a playground committee associated with Rumney School that may send a request for funds to the Commission.
  The budget for next year was proposed and discussed. A $1000.00 budget was decided upon.
MOTION: Bill made a motion to approve the budget. Duncan seconded. All approved.
Bill made a motion to request an increase of $5000.00 for next years Conservation Fund for a total request of $10,000. Heather seconded. All approved.

Correspondences
  Bill shared various correspondences. 

Committee Reports
Resource Planning
  Everyone expressed disappointment and dismay at the vote to reject the new zoning for Middlesex. Several commissioners expressed concern over what the Planning Commission next steps would be to re-energize the process. Bill suggested that we recommend hosting neighborhood meetings to get at the concerns of people who rejected the zoning. A seriously overlooked consideration was that the Town will not be in compliance with State law if we do not have revised zoning by next Spring.
  Other suggestions were:
  o To make the actual ordinance a separate colored document from all of the supporting documentation.
  o To draft illustrations of “before” and “after” sites per new zoning.
  o To hold neighborhood meetings and directly target the group or groups of people who were opposed to zoning to get at their concerns.
  Bill will send Sandy an email with the above information.

Village Action Committee
  Heather gave a brief update on the Route 100B Quarry proposal.

Great Brook
  Some structures were installed this summer/fall on Great Brook to help with erosion.
  Next spring structures and some riparian plantings will be installed.

Wildlife Monitoring
  Everyone agreed that we should still pursue the purchase of a remote sensing camera for tracking wildlife. This could be held by the MCC for use by the Town, School or other municipal purpose. It was suggested that we have a sign-out system for the camera.
  Heather agreed to contact John Austin about the status of the purchase. The Commissioners were in agreement that the camera should be digital if at all possible. The Commissioners approved up to $350 to spend on the camera pending the Select Board’s approval.

Friends of Worcester
  The Conservation Committee will be meeting in early January and the Friends quarterly meeting will take place in late January. Bill reported that the last meeting was very sparsely attended.

Conservation Fund
  Bill noted that the guidance document was approved by the Selectboard. Bill will send around the text for the brochure for comments.
  It was suggested that someone write an article for the Middlesex Monthly on the State’s current use program. Dick Alderman was suggested as the most logical person to do this. 

Recreation/Class IV Rds
  The Selectboard is supportive of getting a Municipal Planning Grant for locating all of the Class IV Roads in Middlesex. Dick Alderman would like to do this, but would like help. Heather suggested that Tom Jackman may be interested in helping write the grant, and said that she would contact him. 

Other Business
  Dave mentioned that he would like to start a project of registering Big Trees of Middlesex. The Commissioners agreed that it would be fun and interesting. Dave said he would find out more about these types of programs.

Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 9:01pm

Approval of Minutes
Respectfully Submitted,


Heather M. Furman, Secretary