MIDDLESEX CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday, December 1, 2005
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Middlesex Town Offices
Middlesex, VT

MINUTES

 
Commissioners Present
John Austin
Barry Goodman
Heather Furman
Duncan Nichols
Rick Paradis
Bill Rossmassler
Dave Shepard
 

Administrative Operations
Call to Order 7:09

Minutes
Heather made a motion to approve the November minutes Barry seconded. Minutes approve without changes.

Treasurer’s Report
Rick reported the accounts had the following balances:
Special Projects Fund$1777.97
Conservation Fund$10,045.12
Selectboard Operations Appropriation$975.00

Correspondences
  No correspondences were received.

Committee Reports
Conservation Fund Committee
 • Brochure: Heather and Gary signed off on the proof for the brochure. There was a discussion about whether or not to hold-off on the mailing until just before Town Meeting. It was decided that we would send as a bulk mailing on or around February 1st. Heather agreed to bring in the bulk mailing materials. Bill suggested that we send a cover letter, but we agreed that we do an article in the Middlesex Monthly during February, after the brochure had been mailed. We will also post that article on the website. There was also discussion about the logistics of getting labels and sticky tabs for those that we will send via the bulk mailing. It was agreed that only those that we will sent via bulk mail should get tabs, approximately 750 or so. The rest should not get tabs. There was also a discussion about developing a “remittance envelope” for those who may want to contribute to the Conservation Fund. Bill suggested that we work on a Thank You template with citation of IRS statute for donations as well.

Village Action Committee
 • Barry reported that the Public Meeting for the Village transportation study took place November 8th. The minutes and notes from the meeting have been posted on the website. It was reported that there was a pretty good turn out – perhaps because it was held in conjunction with the Middlesex Selectboard meeting. RSG, the consultant, handed out a summary of existing conditions, and then there was open discussion on lighting, safety, sidewalks, the Morse property, and intersection issues. There was considerable discussion about the intersection and the store. RSG conducted a separate interview with the store owners about improvements that they would like to see. Next steps include alternative presentation with display boards to be presented around Town Meeting time. The display boards will be available at Town Meeting. At the May public meeting there will be some final decisions from the alternatives and cost estimate.
 • Heather will attend the Moretown Scenic Byway public meeting on December 12th. If approved, Moretown will probably apply for scenic byway money. There is a possibility that we could partner with them on this application.

Recreation Trails
 • A huge THANK YOU to Tom Jackman for writing Middlesex’s Municipal Planning Grant – we were awarded the full amount! The Commissioners who serve on the recreation trails committee include: Bill, Duncan, Barry, and Dave. The grant has two components, 1) town plan update, which will be overseen by the Planning Commission. This includes work on digital parcel data that will be overseen by the Town Listers, 2) Recreation chapter, that will be overseen by the Conservation Commission and Rec. Trails committee. This chapter will hopefully lay the foundation for a town-wide Recreations Trails Plan.

Zoning and Planning Committee
 • The Village Zoning was defeated by only 1 vote. 48-47. There was a lot of discussion about the sentiments in town about the zoning effort, the misunderstanding that are out there, and how to get people out to vote for the new proposed zoning in March. 
 • There was a discussion about the memo that Dave wrote which summarizes the position of the Conservation Commission. Dave would like comments back asap.
 • The next Planning Commission meeting on December 14th would will be to discuss the zoning districts, maps, etc. CC’ers are encouraged to attend

Wildlife Monitoring Committee
 • Dave suggested that there may be an opportunity to collaborate with VT Coverts. John recommended them as a good way to work with private property owners on how to manage for wildlife – game and nongame. Farley Brown is the executive director. John is willing to touch base with Farley regarding a workshop or meeting to introduce VT Coverts.
 • Wildlife Camera: John presented the protocol for the wildlife camera. He would like comments back by Monday December 5th.  John agreed to do an article for the Middlesex Monthly – which could also be posted on the Town webpage.
 • Save the Salamanders! Strategic Planning for this event was tabled until early next year.

Town and Community Forestry Committee
 • Town Forest – Duncan had a list of parcels that are owned by the town that could be potential for the Town Forest Program (NFA). We agreed that looking at the maps at next meeting and perhaps conducting a site walk would be a good idea.
 • December 3rd. 9-12 is the pruning work session at Rumney School. Wear your gloves!

Other Business
Town Road Issues
 • New techniques of ditching and seeding of Class IV Town Rd. was briefly discussed.

Adjournment 
Duncan made a motion to adjourn, John seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 9:02pm.

Respectfully Submitted

Heather M. Furman
Secretary