Conservation Commission Minutes 05.21.26

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GUILFORD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES

                       May 21, 2026

Attending- Bill Jewell, Linda Hecker, Anne Montgomery, Steve Soszynski, Alex Lacy, Josh Farr

Absent- Susan Bonthron, Katie Shea (out of town)

Call to order 5:33 pm

February Minutes approved as circulated

March- special Beaver Presentation in lieu of monthly meeting

April Notes reviewed-  quorum not achieved- 3 visitors attended and discussed legislative updates re Act 181

Officer Elections- Linder Hecker (Chair for past 15 years) requests new Chair to begin next year, with Co-Chair to share duties this year.  Alex Lacy and Katie Shea to potentially assume/share this role.

Current slate of officers- Chair L Hecker, Vice Chair Wm Jewell, Clerks A Montgomery and S Bonthron, Treasurer S Soszynski re elected unanimously.

GCC currently seeking new member to fill one vacant slot.

Request to reimburse Tree Warden for expenses involved in acquiring 6 Chestnut trees for planting in Guilford public spaces was approved, $230 to be drawn from the Conservation Commission Reserve Fund.

Friends Of Guilford Free Library requests advice and help in improving a small plot of land on library property used for summer camps. We agreed some of us will consult and assist the library.

Weeks Forest Carriage Trail work party scheduled for Sunday May 31at 9:30 to noon to clear trail hazards and invasives. Public invited.

GCC Monthly Walks- scheduled for June 14, July 18, Sept 20, and October 11 on private properties in Guilford highlighted in the Natural Resources Inventory.   Info  on FPF and elsewhere. Dogs discouraged unless special arrangements made.

Discussed the idea of providing pertinent Conservation Principles and Best Practices information to the general public via Guilford Gazette, Front Porch Forum and other media outlets throughout the summer and fall.

Update provided regarding the Joint regional meeting of Conservation Commissions attended by A Montgomery and L Hecker in May. Nine other local Commissions discussed common issues and ideas.

Meeting adjourned 7 pm.

Next Meeting June 18.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Montgomery, Clerk