Minutes 1-14-09
Chairman Don Stover called meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Members present: John Crouch, John Laskey, Don Stover, Rich Haslip, Fred Huntress and Sue Ellis
Associate member: Tom Coffin
Advisor: Dana Lee
Absent: Joe Cimino
Visitor: Marcel Polak
Don introduced Marcel who talked briefly about sources of money.
Marcel presented a sample draft for “Open Space Planning for Poland”.
He explained the items and discussed some of the more significant parts of the plan. (Plan attached to minutes in notebook)
He said that Lovell uses part of the money received when someone takes property out of “farm and open space” or “tree growth” which goes into the general fund to fund open space.
He suggested that our comp. plan refers to the conservation commission in many ways and we should follow through with it.
He suggested that we have a separate committee for “open space”.
He said it was hard to be both –involved with the planning board as a regulating committee, and as a committee planning open space, but that it has been done.
It was suggested that we have wording in the Land Zoning ordinance stating that the conservation commission be involved at the beginning of an application for subdivision, and any other use that could involve open space. Dana said he would work on that.
It was also suggested that we have a dedicated conservation fund, like the vehicle reserve fund, and put the money from timber harvested from town owned land into that fund. Also possibly using some of the money from the DOT taking of land in Poland. Dana said a letter should be sent to the selectmen suggesting a dedicated fund and Don said he would get a letter to Dana. Dana would work on creating a warrant article for town meeting. And the last deadline to set the warrant was March 17.
Marcel said his consultation work and involvement with Poland would be free. The board said it will be a great having Marcel’s help.
John Crouch suggested our first step should be to get the town forestland into a land trust. He would consult an attorney he knows regarding that issue.
A date for a forum entitled “Beginning with Habitat” presented free by Inland Fish and Wildlife be set for 3-12 or 3-26 (preferably the 26th)
John Crouch made a motion to approve the minutes of 12-10-08 and 12-17-08.
Seconded by Rich Haslip. Voted yes.
Tom Coffin presented the minutes from the PCC activity sub-committee. (Minutes will be in notebook)
They are planning a winter outing on the town trails. Date to be announced.
Dana presented a draft conservation planning and services budget 2009-2010 for our review. Sue asked that he delineate each lake association by name. Board thought it was very good.
Items for the next agenda: 1- Open space plan
2-Forum, 3- easement on town forest, 4-town meeting budget articles and discussion of speakers at town meeting.
Next meeting of Conservation Commission will be 6:30 PM February 11, 2009 at Ricker Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Ellis
Secretary/member
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