MIDDLESEX CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday September 6, 2007
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Middlesex Town Offices
Middlesex, VT

MINUTES
 
Commissioners Present
x Barry Goodman
x Judy Keyes
  Duncan Nichols
x Rick Paradis
x Dave Shepard
x Scott Gurley

 
Guest: Todd Comen


Administrative Operations
Call to order 7:05
Dave moved to approve the July minutes, Scott seconded. Approval of minutes passed

Treasurer’s Report
• Operating Budget: $1000.00 as of , July 1
2006-2007 operating budget spent down to $52.90
• Conservation Fund: $17451.27
• Special Projects fund: $1287.98

Correspondence
The Northern Forest Alliance is having a meeting to encourage towns to create Town Forests. Saturday Sept 8, Craftsbury, VT
Note from the Raymonds asking for a conditional use permit to put in a pond on their property at Daniels farm road. Their land borders a class 2 wetland. The MCC choice is to not contest the permit in any way.

Vacancies on the MCC
3 Current Vacancies.
Dave to contact Kathy Chabot, possible Chip Darmstadt. Possible Mike Kline.
Possible high school student? Possible Brian Redmond

Committee Reports
a.Middlesex Energy Team
MCC being copied on their minutes. 
They are interested in issues at Rumney, and for the proposed fire station.

b.Water Quality Committee: North Branch Assessment effort
The Nature Center posted along the river for high e-coli counts

c. Resource Planning Committee \ Recreation Trials Committee
Ancient Roads Research and Planning Effort Update:
Initial meeting in May. A second training session done by Paul Gilles. Work is underway on the Research piece.
Dave asked if there is anyone from the MCC interested in working on the overview Planning Effort. Judy and Scott may be interested in joining the committee for the overview Planning Effort.

Wrightsville trail proposal update and work day:
Scott drafted a letter to the State Forester about working on the trail network, proposing 3 stages of development and spelling out the challenges of working on these stages. The MCC signed this letter and will send it to Diana Fredericks at Forest and Parks.

d. Conservation Program:
Ott/Steed update
Appraisal done. $343,000. Bill has been in contact with VHCB (Vermont Housing Conservation Board) River Conservancy, Middlesex Conservation Fund. Possible funding to make deal happen.

Enhanced Democratization Project
Idea to address issues for Town Meeting. Look to improve discourse in town about Town issues.
i.e. “how land conservation can affect tax rate”

e. Village Action Committee
Potential next steps – Mad River Byway Efforts:
Dave met with selectboard about Byway to make money available to Middlesex’s portion for Gateway signage and kiosk. Town needs to sign a maintenance agreement for the Middlesex portion as a signor with the Moretown Byway committee …Moretown will be the Ist signor of record, and Middlesex will sign on with Moretown.

Morse Property
MCC will contact the new “to be formed” building committee to make sure there is green space consideration

f. Friends of the Worcester Range Update
Annual meeting in October, probably Oct 6th. 10am-2pm

Wildlife Monitoring Committee
Bill has the camera…we think

Other Business
a. Monthly Articles
  Conservation Fund Discussion
   Currently conserved lands
   Value of conserved lands to Middlesex residents
  Friends of the Worcester Range annual meeting

Adjournment 
Barry moved to close the meeting, David seconded at 8:45

Respectfully Submitted
Barry Goodman
Secretary