Otisfield Conservation Committee Meeting
Minutes – Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 7pm
(Approved)
Present – Pixie Williams, Lee Dassler, Susan Feller, Scott Vlaun, Bob Blake: OCC
Jacinthe Sirois, Jean Hankins, Marygrace Barber: Friends of OCC
Rick Micklon, Hal Ferguson: Otisfield Selectmen
Pixie opened the meeting at 7pm. Rick and Hal attended to discuss the status of Heniger Park. Hal said the OCC can divest itself from further work on the property, and a Heniger Park Committee will be formed in the next couple years. In the meantime, Dan Peaco will maintain interior trails; the Dyer family will maintain the perimeter trail. Rick said the town is prepared to fund and work on all maintenance, and they would like to install an information kiosk, trail signs and simple log benches before a park committee is organized. Some discussion ensued regarding the issue of banning ATV use on all trails except the old tote road, which runs in a north/south direction, bisecting the Heniger property. Hal said that since the Heniger will designates the town selectmen to govern use of the property, permission
must be obtained from the selectmen to use ATVs on the property. Pixie told the group that Judy Hall had informed her that the town had given “blanket permission” to use ATVs on the property, and that families living nearby routinely use ATVs on these trails to visit each other. Jean expressed her concerns that certain ATV users would ignore trail bans and cut off onto the foot trails from the tote road causing unsafe conditions for hikers and disturbing wildlife. There was agreement that ATVs could be used with permission from the town strictly for carrying supplies for trail maintenance. Pixie also reported her conversation with Stan Brett of the Otisfield Trailblazers snowmobile club, and that Stan said their members don’t use the park since it’s not part of the snowmobile trail system.
Rick offered the OCC the opportunity to develop hiking trails for the town owned property between Moose and Saturday Ponds, which has waterfront, wetlands and woods. The committee agreed it would be a worthwhile project to pursue. Rick and Hal departed at 7:20 pm. for another meeting.
Discussion continued about the town property between Moose and Saturday Ponds. The committee felt it would be a valuable parcel for nature studies, especially since it has water features which increase the variety of plant and animal species, and would like to “adopt” the property to develop for public use. Susan made a motion to have the property come under the protection of the OCC, and provide guidance for its use by developing trails, identifying the biota and keeping it “wild”. Scott seconded the motion. Lee said grants are available for conservation purposes. Scott said to look at getting a conservation easement on the property for the town to prevent possible sale of lots in the future. Pixie wants to tour the property and develop a list of the biota. Decision made to
visit the property on Friday, 6/27, at 2pm to conduct an initial overview of the land and check for vernal pools. Those who can attend will meet at Town Hall Friday at 1:50pm.
Minutes from the April 27th meeting were read and corrected. Lee moved to accept the minutes, Scott seconded.
Vernal Pools – Everyone reported on their outings and observations of vernal pools the past month. Pixie, Jacinthe and Susan have taken photos of pools and amphibian activity. Marygrace reported on the pool on their property along Pleasant Lake, and showed photos of the pool. Susan has been maintaining a written log of vernal activity since the last week in April. Pixie asked that any observation notes be forwarded to her so she can collate them into an informal report.
Jugtown – Pixie visited Jugtown Plains and created a list of Spring wildflowers she observed. Pixie will go with Gail Everett to conduct a spring butterfly hunt. Pixie reported that David Rodrigues now has the University of Maine forestry reports on Jugtown; they’re in the hands of the DOC and are being collated.
Gleotrichia – Pixie reported this is an algae that looks like cooked grains of rice in the water. Dartmouth and Bates Universities are conducting research on it and Pleasant Lake may be selected as one of the study sites. There is concern that it may be harmful to lake health. Pixie found some in 2005 in Lily Brook and Saturday Pond, and Pixie passed the information on to Dartmouth. If anyone sees this algae, report it to Pixie. And if spotted in Pleasant Lake, also notify Marygrace.
Other Business – Lee reported on the Crooked River erosion surveys. The erosion sites she visited in S. Otisfield all involved town roads where sand left from winter road maintenance was entering streams or the river. Lee said the next part of the survey will involve direct observation of the river by wading, kayaking or canoeing the waterway. All data should be collated by the end of the summer. Lee also reported on the upcoming Climate Change in Maine seminar that will be held at the Adult Education Center in Casco on June 23. OCC members decided to attend this event.
Lee suggested creating a summer reading book list for residents based on OCC members favorite nature/ecology/conservation books.
Scott reported attending a Transition Town USA seminar hosted by Sustainable Oxford Hills. This is part of a global group working to empower communities to deal with the inevitable reduction of fossil fuels and the changes that will occur. Scott said the trainer told them that in all her travels to towns around the U.S., the Oxford Hills attendees presented as one of the best enlightened and prepared for action groups she has worked with. Scott provided the transitionus.org website for further information.
Saturday, June 25 is Town Meeting at the Community Center. The OCC will check on having table space for various brochures on conservation and environmental information.
Bulletin Board summer display – Pixie would like to display pictures and information of shoreline plants, different from last year’s selection. Susan will try to find images online.
Next OCC meeting will be held on June 23 at 8am at the Casco Adult Education Center prior to the Climate Change seminar. It was decided to cancel the August OCC meeting due to members travel plans.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Feller, Secretary
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