Conservation Commission Minutes

Date:  September 27, 2017

Attendees:   Karen Day, Janet Renaud, Roger Lessard, Carol Irvin, and Janet Lutkus (minute-taker)

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by chairperson Roger Lessard. The following items were addressed:

1. Accept or Amend Previous Meeting Minutes – Discussion among commission members.                
   • Janet Renaud made a motion to accept the minutes, which Roger distributed prior to the meeting. Carol Irvin seconded the motion. All members present approved.
2. Review revised draft of policy re: notification of Greenfield Conservation Commission by Department of Public Works (DPW)  when working in/near wetlands – Discussion among commission members.
   • Roger distributed a worksheet from Bob Marshall.  The worksheet will list DPW projects of concern to the commission.  
   • The commission members reviewed additional minor changes to the policy from Karen and approved them. Roger will bring this latest version of the policy with Karen’s changes to the Selectboard.
   •  Roger emphasized the need to agree on a map of record for reference for DPW. It should have a specific Document number on it to ensure everyone is referring to the same map. The commission members present recessed to the office upstairs to locate the map.  The commission members present agreed that the Town of Greenfield Wetlands Conservation District Map (August 2004) will be the map used for reference with the DPW.
3. George Proctor Recreation meeting and site walk report – Janet Renaud and Carol Irvin.
   • Janet Renaud, Carol Irvin, Gary Russell, Hunter Carbee, and Karla Allen attended the site walk at the George Proctor Recreation area after the Forestry Committee met.
   • Karla met with Hunter and they discussed differences in ideas about the forestry plan and then did the site walk.  Alterations to the plan are under discussion. Everyone agreed on changing the location of the landing. A lot of ideas were discussed between Hunter and Karla during the site walk including clear cutting a certain area but there was no agreement to specific changes in the plan.
   •  Hunter sent Janet minutes from the site walk, which she can share with the commission.
   • Roger suggested a joint meeting of the Conservation Commission and Forestry Committee to discuss any changes to the George Proctor Forestry plan. A discussion followed about Karla developing a proposal for revisions and discussing them with the Conservation Commission. There were differences of opinion about incorporating changes to the plan and ownership of the plan.
   •  Janet provided Roger with contact information for Hunter Carbee and Gary Russell.
   •  Janet, Carol, and the commission discussed the possibility of adding a line item to the Conservation Commission budget for activities of the Greenfield Forestry committee for management and stewardship of the property. This item needs to be discussed at the joint meeting between the Conservation Commission and Forestry Committee.
4. Budget Discussion – Roger and commission members.
   • Roger just got another invoice for the balance of the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI). Funds for the deposit had not been released. The money has to be transferred from the conservation account to the general account to release funds for the NRI. Roger will take care of this.
   • The Conservation Commission has only used 39% of its budget to date. This is partially because Karla does not bill for her services until late in the year. The Commission needs to arrange with the bookkeeper of Garland Lumber Company to bill the commission earlier and regularly.
   • Karen suggested bringing the GCC Program line item in the budget to $600.00.  This was discussed among the members present and agreed. It was decided among those present to leave the Roadside Roundup and Postage line items as they are.  The commission members discussed and agreed to reduce the Mileage line item from $100.00 to $50.00. Roger will check with Catherine Shaw if dues and subscriptions have gone up in price before he determines if the current line item is valid. 
   • At the conclusion of the discussion, the total budget was $4550 pending consultation with Catherine Shaw.
5. Review of Cilley Family Forest Celebration held September 23– Roger Lessard.
   • There were 3 attendees at the event. No members of the Robertson family were in attendance.
   •  Roger expressed the opinion that “the ball was dropped” as far as publicity for the event went. 
   •   The commission donated the leftover food from the event to the Greenfield pantry.
   • Candi Fowler offered to host a program on butterflies.
6. Greenfield Conservation Commission Presence on Town Website – Discussion among the commission.
   • Karen talked to Aaron Patt. Aaron is trying to set up a meeting with Candi Fowler, Janice Pack, and Karen Day for training.
   • Karen would like to find out more about the capabilities of the web site program. The ability to post pictures is really important to the commission.
7. Work session re: draft Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) – Discussion among commission members. 
   • Karen expressed concern about determining the logistics for communicating all of the changes for the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) to Henry Underwood.
   • The commission agreed with how Roger described the types of revisions: corrections, additions, and formatting errors.    

The meeting officially adjourned at 9:05 PM. The next meeting is October 25, 2017 at 7:30 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Lutkus to Roger Lessard for approval, corrections, distribution, and posting.