• The meeting was convened at 7:02 PM.  Members present: Stew Stryker, Andrew Robbins, Paula Robbins, Elton Davis, Doug Whitcomb, Natalie Frost, and Karen Tyler.
• Public:  Michael Quinn

 

1.    Minutes

             It was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved as written .

             There was some discussion of sending minutes electronically.  All but Stew prefer regular mail;  Karen will email a copy to Stew per his request. 

              Stew also suggested posting notices on the town's web site, which can be accessed at mablake@aol.com. 

 

 

2.    Treasurer's Report

                    It was moved and seconded that the report be postponed due to Ilene's absence. (She had contacted Paula to relay that there was no new information on accounts from the town.)

 

3.    Nate Larson Discussion

Postponed, as Nate was not present.

 

4.    Projects

* Hunting signs/Posting Property:  Scott  has done this.

* Year-end Mowing:  Elton hasn't checked since frost; will check after the predicted rain is over

* Lake Trail Repairs:  Natalie suggested posting on Matt Dunne's web site.  Has also discussed it with a young man who is looking for an Eagle Scout project.  (Michael cautions that in working with scouts, it's important to be sure there is a knowledgeable person supervising.

         Doug: hopes to do worst part before winter.  A work day was set for 10/29 at 9:00. 

        Discussion of materials:  Michael advocates using stone rather than wood   for permanence, but members felt that the stone would be too heavy to   manage, and decided to use wood for now.

* Bert Frothingham Memorial Bench: Has been installed.  Doug had photos (base needed reinforcement with compacted gravel).  The finished product came in $150 below quote, at $300.00; we have $220 in donations (for which Karen will send thank-you notes). Any surplus money that Ilene raises through her efforts could be used for landscaping the area.

 

Members expressed thanks to Doug for all his hard work on this project.

 

 

5.    Quick Updates and Other Business

 

* Report for Town Meeting:  Doug agreed to write the report, and will have a draft for the next meeting.

* Invasive plants: Michael suggested that the commission start making a plan for eradication.  There was discussion of the various species and their locations, and different means of removing them.  Karen agreed to contact the various scout groups to see if they would be interested in working on this as a project.

* Farm Lease:  Don Howard not present to update.

* Court Street Trimming/trees/trail:  nothing new

* Beavers:  Following the meeting with the state expert, at which time we were advised that nothing needed to be done, there has been an apparent upsurge of population, and people are reporting flooding to their property.  There will be a major discussion of this matter in  November,  when we anticipate having the state expert, a representative of the Land Trust, and the trapper all present.

* Conservation Planning:  Natalie presented information about a conference in Hartford on Saturday, 10/21.

* Rare willow:  this was mentioned in the recent inspection.  Its location  needs to be clarified in light of planned North Dike clearing.  Paula has discussed this with Don, and Natalie will follow up with him.

* Wellbourne Ecology Fund:  Michael suggested this as a possible source of funds for projects.  They will grant up tp $5000 for a project; more than that for a program. 

 

6.    Adjournment:  the meeting was adjourned at 9:43 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Karen Tyler, Secretary

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