Copies of Conservation Commission minutes may be obtained by contacting Tom Jackman 253-2705.
Conservation Minutes - January - May 2011
Stowe Conservation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Akeley Memorial Building
Meeting Minutes
Members present: Gar Anderson, ME Lawlor, Bethany Hanna, Marina Meerburg
Absent/Excused: Robert Fahey, David Jaqua, Jason Kirchick
Town: Tom Jackman
Start time: 5:35 PM
Adjournment: 6:30
Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports
No minutes to approve (David absent)
TJ reported on the Stowe Land Trust Strategic Process and conserved lands map; the quiet path rip rap project – area eroded 80 feet since 2006; depleted Mayo Farm fund which fund will show a negative amount until it gets replenished by the lease fee; no other monies available for projects on the Mayo farm
Sunset Rock Site Visit – made a list of projects – trail signs indicating locations of features and overlooks; interpretive sign at the kettle hole; trail-work, although not as much as was originally thought; clearing at top to open up the view in the fall once the leaves are down; and a kiosk at the end of Sunset Street
Budget
TJ reviewed the FY ’11 and FY’12 budgets.
FY ’11 Budget
Picnic table was hauled up by Stowe Mountain Bike Club from Golden Eagle to town loops – 60 acre town forest – McCutcheon Forest
LCNRCD line item was for willow wattles at Moscow fields
FY ’11 remaining balance was approximately $1,639; $3,000 was allocated for Sterling each year and although $5,000 was spent on Sterling in FY ’11, there have been several years prior when we haven’t spent all allocated money
FY ’12 Budget
Money has been allocated for:
· Two kiosks – One at Sunset Rock and the other at the Sterling Forest parking lot; the map of Sterling Forest would be great to use for the kiosk, once a couple additional trails are added – Lauren Loop and Split Rock Trail (Gar will email a copy of the map)
· Sunset rock clearing and trail work (only up to a week); a Sunset Rock Brochure may be another expense
· Mill Trail work – ideally would like to fund more than $500, but shouldn’t spend budget down so early
· Recreation Guide printing – Interest in asking Stowe Area Association to chip in on printing costs; allocation prioritized for printing; need to get recommendations for updates by next meeting on August 3rd.
· Dues – Green Mountain Club, Vermont Land Trust, Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions
TJ mentioned that professional development funds are available if we want to participate in any programs related to our work on the conservation commission
Discussion
Town CSA
MEL asked if there was any more discussion about a CSA on town-owned land.
MM suggested that it might be better to support people who are already operating a CSA than to support the start of a whole new operation, and that the group may have lost some steam with difficulty in finding land
Mountain Biking in Stowe
Discussion of how the work of building mountain bike trails is similar to cutting ski trails in the 30s; Trapp’s is doing great work
Lamoille Economic Development Corporation gave a $20,000 grant for mountain bike trail development
VMBA was just nominated for Planner’s Association award for ride center
Green Mountain By-Way Committee
MEL asked about an opening in Stowe on Green Mountain By-Way Committee which was advertised in paper; their next meeting is on July 27th
Sterling Forest
GA inquired about putting up signs with historical information by old foundations and other historic sites in Sterling Forest; it was suggested that he talk to Barbara of the historical society and historic commission
Sterling – Culverts - $400 ($800 total); need to get logging started again, Mike Snyder oversees, patch cuts are planned which would enhance bird habitat; may be in National Geographic; Gar interviewed last week
Plan a site walk at Sterling in the fall, perhaps October 5th
Other
Times Argus had their “Best of” Reward – Stowe Recreation Path got best Mountain Biking Path (?) and Road Biking Path (?)
Next meeting – August 3rd; will decide then about second meeting then
GA will be absent August 3rd and September 7th
BH will be absent September 21st
Respectfully submitted by:
Bethany Hanna
