Willington Conservation Commission
Town of Willington
01/25/11 Meeting Minutes
Call to order:~ P. Andersen called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Present:~ P. Andersen, E.Brand, K.Demers, M.Drobney, C.Jordan, R.Shabot,P.Pribula Absent: M.Schreiber
On a motion by KD, 2nd MD, E. Brand was seated for M. Schreiber.
Approval of 12/21/2010 minutes: Approval of minutes with CJ Abstaining
Present to speak: NA.
Finance: A motion by RS, 2nd by CJ to reduce the amount budgeted this year by $200 (10%) and to submit a FY11/12 budget of $1800 was approved unanimously. The $100 received in memoriam for Richard Shaw will be allocated to a future Park program or activity.
Old Business
FRP-DS:
- Trails Report: Several members had been skiing and snowshoeing in the Park and reported a good amount of winter use by other citizens.
- Habitat Maintenance: Discussion of appropriate timing for the maintenance of the field habitat (discussed at last meeting) north of Taylor Pond. Conclusion: As soon as possible after snow melt.
- Management Plan for FRP: EB has begun a field review of the management units designated in the Connwood Forestry and Wildlife Management Plan and will report on his findings at future meetings. The Commission will review the findings vis-à-vis the Plan and determine appropriate management action.
- Park Damage: PA reported that a snowplow had knocked down the large sign at the entrance of the Park. One of the posts is broken off. The sign itself has repairable damage. PA brought the sign home for repair and it will be re-installed in the spring.
Town Development: No significant activity.
Open Space /Easement Monitoring
- Willington Heights: No report
- Peck’s Mill: CJ and PA will try to finalize development when weather improves.
- Programs: Currently no programs are planned for the winter.
KD reported a tentative agreement with Barbara Austin to present a program on Connecticut Trails Day, June 4. On a motion by KD, 2nd RS, $125 was unanimously approved as a stipend for B. Austin.
(C. Jordan left the meeting at 7:30.)
MD reported that the movie “A Chemical Reaction”, recently shown at the Coventry Farmers Market, was very good and might be something the Commission might considering sponsoring. MD will look into.
Collaborative Organizations
- Willimantic River Alliance: No report
- Joshua’s Trust: No news.
- Windham County Conservation Consortium: KD reported there will be a meeting on Tuesday Feb. 1 in Brooklyn with a program by Charlotte Pyle from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service on Invasive Plant Species.
- Ashford Conservation Commission: Representatives from Ashford will be invited to our February meeting to discuss a potential open space preserve in Ashford that is in close proximity to Fenton-Ruby Park.
Knowlton Purchase Update: Nothing to report. Closing still awaiting.
Charter Communications Green Light Installation. The Commission sent a letter to Selectman Mailhos on January 3 regarding our observations and with a list of questions we would like Charter Communications to answer.
New Business
Communications
1) Willington Word submissions for April, May, June are due Feb. 1. We will note the June 4, Parks Day program in our submission.
2) The Town Forum has been rescheduled for May. A couple points were raised that we might include in the Commission report.
Other: Discussion of having Jack Barclay attend a future meeting for a general discussion of management practices on Town-managed properties. We will try to schedule him for a future meeting.
Next Meeting Date: February 22, 2011
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.
Respectfully submitted:
Peter S. Andersen
~Peter S. Andersen, secretary pro tempore
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