Conservation Commission Minutes
June 9, 2010
Chairman Don Stover called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Members present: Sue Ellis, Don Stover, John Crouch, John Laskey, Fred Huntress and Rich Haslip. Also attending: Larry Moreau, Dana Lee, Ulla Hansen and Jack Quinn
John Crouch made a motion to accept the minutes of 5-12-2010. John Laskey seconded. All in favor except Sue who abstained because she was not present at that meeting.
Discussion regarding Range Ponds request for the $250. Rich H. made the motion to approve expending $750 from the conservation commission fund- allocating $250 each to Range Pond Assn, Tripp Lake Assn, and Thompson Lake Environmental Assn. Vote in favor with John Crouch and Sue Ellis abstaining due to their involvement with the lake associations.
Rich asked John C. what Range Pond assn. does with the money. John explained their membership to COLA, use of Scott Williams (a marine biologist) to monitor the lake water and sending out a news letter.
Don discussed the voting results. All 3 conservation issues passed by a 2/3 majority. He thanked the TV audience for their support and said we would like to hear from those who didn't support it to hear your reasons, in the hope that we could explain any confusion. Dana said he had positive feedback from the Q/A article in the Poland progressive.
The next step is to have a meeting with the Select Board and NEFF to explain how to create the land trust. Dana will try to set that joint meeting for July 20, 2010
Don said the Blue Trail signs are almost ready to put up.
The date of September 23, 2010 was set for the Fall Forum 7-8:30 PM at the Town Hall. The purpose is to invite people who have land in tree growth and open space or farm land to discuss the advantages or disadvantages. We will have the assessor, a representative from NEFF and someone from the Maine Forest service to explain the programs. Fred will line up NEFF and ME forest service and Dana will talk with the assessor. Dana and Fred will work on a draft program and announcement.
Dana will write a letter to Poland Spring explaining the positive vote and the need for their promised $5000. He will pursue the other company who to date has not responded.
Fred again spoke about the timber harvest income, feeling that part of the money should come to the Cons. Com. the Select Board had discussed it previously and said no. It was felt that if we could explain the need for a certain amount and be project specific we might have a more positive response. One of the town lots should be harvested this year, as was stated in the forest management plan. Dana suggested we be a year ahead of the harvest with a plan.
Grant writing was discussed. Dana explained that he would have no time this year. Rich said possibly Project Canopy again. Rich hopes to attend the grant writing workshop 6-23. Don said he does not want to be reappointed to the Commission as a member but would be a very active associate. As with other vacancies on other boards, an ad will be placed. If any members know of someone they should contact them. Dana suggested we mention it to the lake associations to see if someone there would be interested.
Fred motioned to adjourn. John C. seconded. Unanimous vote. 8:30 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Ellis
Member/secretary
| 
