Willington Conservation Commission
Town of Willington
2/15/2012 Meeting Minutes
Call to order:~ Meeting called to order @ 7:06 pm
Roll Call: P. Andersen, K Demers, M. Drobney, C. Jordan, M. Schreiber, R. Shabot, E. Brand. E Brand is seated for P, Pribula on a motion by CJ/KD. Unanimous vote
Approval of 1/18/2012 minutes: Approval of minutes on a motion by CJ/KD 4 ayes, 2 abstentions: MD, MS
Present to speak: Paula Coughlin: Citizen Science Coordinator for the Audubon Grassland Bird Conservation Center of Pomfret Center Citizen Volunteer Monitoring Program gave an overview of the volunteer opportunities possible through a partnership with this program and town commissions. There are grants available to cover the fees and various programs to choose from. A power point presentation and handouts were available.
Finance: The FY 2012 balance is approximately $1600.00. On a motion by CJ/RS the WCC approves the expenditure of $50.00 for the municipal level membership for FY 12/13 to the Willimantic River Alliance. Unanimous vote. The FY12/13 budget request that will be presented to the Board of Finance on 3/1/12 was discussed. There was also discussion on potential FY 11/12 budget appropriations.
Old Business
FRP-DS:
- Trails Report: The Weigold Trail has several trees blocking the trails. CJ upgraded and printed additional trail maps for the FRP-DS kiosk.
- Burma Road: The work continues on the drainage issues on this town road.
Knowlton Preserve:
- KD presented a draft of the RFP for a Forest Resources Inventory and 10 Year Management Plan for the Knowlton Preserve and Talmadge Tract. Members are asked to read and provide feedback by 2/26/12 to KD,
- On 3/11/12 @ 9AM at Mason Road, Willington at the crossing of the Blue Trail a work party will meet to establish boundaries, blaze trail and affix boundary medallions within the Knowlton Preserve.
Town Development: IWWC: The Love’s Travel Stop public hearing was continued. Check with the town website for the latest update for the meeting date.
Collaborative Organizations
- Willimantic River Alliance: No news.
- Joshua’s Trust: tabled
- Windham County Conservation Consortium: Collaboration between towns on solid waste management issues was the topic of the last meeting which KD attended.
The “City Dark”: 2/3/12: Ashford, Mansfield and Willington Conservation Commissions
presented a screening of the documentary to ~150 people. A Q&A followed
with L. Smith of Int’l Dark Sky Association.
2012/2013 Budget: See Finance above.
WCC Website: The WCC website has been neglected and is in need of a volunteer to update content. Several possible candidates were discussed.
New Business
Citizen Science Program: Paula Coughlin, see Present to Speak
Communications: 2/21/2012/16/2011
Adjournment: On a motion by KD/RS at 9:10 pm, so moved.
Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Schreiber
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