MIDDLESEX CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday March 2, 2006
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
Dave Shepard


Administrative Operations
Call to Order 7:15

Minutes
Dave made a motion to approve the January and February minutes Gary seconded. Minutes approve without changes.

Treasurer’s Report
Rick reported the accounts had the following balances:
Special Projects Fund $941.97
Conservation Fund $10,071.12
Selectboard Operations Appropriation $723.85

Heather submitted a reimbursement request for the Brochure mailing. The total was $241.15.
**Rick will call to get the interest.

Correspondences
 • Two checks came in from the Conservation Fund mailing. Thank you! We will deposit these into the Conservation Fund.
Town Website MCC Homepage
 • Heather said she will remind Greg about the website outline and brochure. She will copy Bill on the email and resend brochure, guidance, and application in .pdf format.
Annual Meeting
 • Location could be at Wrightsville Reservoir or Shady Rill.
 • Katie Feldman was nominated as the Conservationist of the Year for 2006, but no final decision was made.
 • Trails should be the topic/theme because of the new chapter in the Town Plan.
Town Meeting
 • Set up for Town Meeting will be on Monday evening or Tuesday during the day. We will have Conservation Fund information, Village Planning information and Katie’s Salamander information. Heather has the key.
 • Talking points on the Conservation Fund – guidance, brochure, success the first couple of years. Forest Legacy brochure.

 
Committee Reports
Recreation Trails Committee
 • Consultant Michael Crane Associates was selected and the digital mapping should be completed in the next week or so.
 • Michael Crane will attend our April meeting to discuss the rec. trails component.

Village Action Committee
 • March 28th at 6:30 will be the next public meeting on the Village designs. The design will be up at town meeting with advertising of the March 28th public information meeting.

 • It was unclear whether or not Middlesex has party status on the Quarry.
 • John will call Ed Stanick about whether or not we have party status.
 • John will recuse himself because of his professional relationship with the project.

 • Bill made a motion to support the position on Village Action Committee as they may submit their opinion in letter format to the Selectboard regarding the Moretown Quarry Act 250 procedure. Heather seconded motion. 7 in support, 0 against, 1 abstained (John).

 • As long as our conceptual designs get plugged into the Mad River Byway funding application are heading in the right direction. Barry or Bill need to contact and clarify with the Selectboard the need for Enhancement Grant designs in the Village and Morse property and the 100B kiosk.

Town and Community Forestry Committee
 • Judy may do a tree grant.
 • There is a request to help with landscaping the gazebo and playground was shooting for Green-up day.

Friends of Worcester Range
 • Ott-Steed property. Heather, Dave Bill and Duncan met with the Selectboard. There wasn’t opposition to the idea that the property should be conserved. Peter said that it was an ideal parcel for conservation. The Selectboard was interested in hearing more from us on either State or town ownership. Bill spoke with Elinor Ott. Bill handed out a to do list for moving forward on this project.

Wildlife Monitoring Committee
 • Our guest from Coverts will come in May rather than April.

Other Business
 • Dave spoke with Jeff Koonz about coordinating with the Boy Scouts for Green Up Day. Wanted to know if the CC would be the contact, but Jeff is going to be contact on Green-Up. Jeff will come to the April meeting. CC will staff the town garage. Green Up Day is the 1st Saturday in May, this year May 6th.


Adjournment 
Judy made a motion to adjourn, Bill seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 9:09pm.

Respectfully Submitted

Heather M. Furman
Secretary