Middlesex Conservation Commission
Minutes of Meeting December 8, 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
Judy Keyes

Guest: Gary Wills – member of the Conservation Fund Committee.

Call to Order
7:07 pm

Administrative Operations

Approval of Minutes
  Heather made a motion to approve the October and November minutes, Rick seconded the motion, minutes were approved unanimously.

Treasurers Report
Selectboard annual appropriation: $957.39
Checkbook: $1981.99
$7.40 interest was added over the past 18 months.

  Rick called Town offices and found out that June has set up a separate $5000 account for the Conservation Fund.

  Rick will get Dave an electronic copy of the budget we approved at last months meeting.
  Bill met with Elmore CC, and let them know their might be funding available for reimbursement for hosting the Friends meeting. They might submit invoice.

  Bill will follow up with Neely on Middlesex Monthly invoice.

Correspondence
  Heather introduced “public policy research” study, regarding use of environmental terminology.
  Bill reported that AVCC may be getting more funding to increase Virginia to full time director and hire additional staff.

Committee Reports

Recreation/Class IV Roads
Committee consists of Dave, Barry, Bill and Duncan.
MPG – Tom Jackman to assist and begin writing for cataloguing 4th class roads.
Dave will touch base with Sandy about whether they are going after an MPG next year.

Conservation Fund
Brochure: Gary Wills – guest, and member of the Conservation Fund Committee. Commissioners and guess reviewed the brochure. Bill thanked the people who worked on the brochure and there was considerable discussion about the brochure language pertaining to property taxes in town. Also, suggestions were made regarding the heading: WHAT is the “fund” when and why was it established. It was decided that the brochure would be produced at approximately 9x17, with four panels.

Town budget contribution: Dave suggested that we make it a separate warned article again, under petition, rather than requesting that it is line item in the budget. Bill suggested that we request the Selectboard to make that decision and get their input on whether they think that we should move ahead with a petition or line item. Gary W. suggested that we give it some marketing time and possibly get a pilot project going before we go to line item.

Dave raised a concern about developing guidance on sample agreements, P&S agreements, Conservation Easements. Heather agreed to provide some boiler plate agreements to the Commission.

Land Owner Contact: Forest Legacy Project – candidate parcels by January. No decision was made on how/who to contact.

Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 9:07pm

Approval of Minutes
Respectfully Submitted,


Heather M. Furman, Secretary