Conservation Commission Minutes 12.19.24

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Guilford Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 12/19/24

               Town Office and Zoom

Attending- Linda Hecker, Karen Murphy, Steve Soszynski, Josh Farr, Anne Montgomery. Guest-Katie Shea

On Zoom-  Linda Lembke, Susan Bonthron. Guests- Mary Woolsey

   Matt Stinchfield

Not attending- Bill Jewell

Meeting called to order at 5:30

Introductions of Commissioners and Guests

No adjustments to agenda

Minutes from October meeting and November meeting (Joint with Planning Commission) approved by unanimous roll call.

No action steps reviewed.

Approvals-

  1. Printing of 200 town road maps to be distributed to Library, Town Office, BBCC and Historical Society at cost of approximately $200 was unanimously approved by roll call.
  2. Budget Request for 2025- $100 and to draw down our balance ($4440.70) as needed for further expenditures-and $1500 transfer to Conservation Fund (currently $6860.82) unanimously approved by roll call.
  3. Approve Annual Report as circulated- unanimously approved by roll call. Written by Linda Hecker with input from L. Lembke and K. Murphy

Joint Regional Meeting January 13,  5:30 -7:30pm at Compass School, Westminster, in lieu of our regular January Meeting.

Deerfield Wild and Scenic Study Committee- Linda Lembke volunteered to be a member.

Follow Up- November meeting on Conservation Easements-

 Discussed photo exhibit planning, PR on Facebook, Front Porch Forum, etc by Josh.

 Make available the NRI map on page 37 of Conservation areas of highest priority by Forest block in preparation for Planning Commission March Meeting

 Possible work session in February to develop list of landowners to invite to March meeting.

Discussion of one parcel of high priority and ways to approach landowner about succession plans. Input from VLT and Mary Woolsey.

Conservation Fund donations- Donate Button on our webpage?

   Article in future issue of Gazette, Announce at Town Meeting,

  “ How to donate” cards at Weeks Forest Trail, elsewhere in town

Recruiting new members- Linda H. to investigate rules regarding full time vs part time residents.

Accessible Trail update- Anne and Linda L. to meet on January 17 with Vermont Trails and Greenways Council personnel to discuss our interest in upgrading the Weeks Forest Trail to accessible status.

Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Montgomery