TRAILS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

October 22, 2008

Present:  G.Leroy, K.Brown, C. McNaull, L. Budd, J. Reed, F. Twarog, & S. Pierson

Guest:  Gerry Livingston, Chair - Conservation Commission  < glivingston@madriver.com >

Report from the Conservation Commission

GREEN (OPEN) SPACE PLAN:  is in the final stages of drafting with hope that by end of January 2009 it will be completed.  The need for this came from the 2005 Town Plan and the hope is that the 2010-2011 Town Plan will include this report.  It invovles wetlands, forest, recreation & wildlife.  It also explores trail connections and animal corridors.

With respect to trail connections, Frank noted that only 8-10 properties need to be approached to complete a Round the Village circle trail (like Middlebury). 

The conservation Commission is concerned that the Town Website is not able to accommodate its many interessts and has started a new one more narrowly focused on recreation and conservation.  This will include news about educational events, easements and work on the LaPlatte River.

The Conservation Commission meets the 2nd & 4th Monday each month and welcomes members of the Trail Committee.

EAGLE TRAIL AND THE TOWN FOREST

An inventory and assessment of the town Forest was completed in mid 2006 by graduate students at UVM  School of Environmental Studies.  It is a brilliant building block for writing a new MANAGEMENT PLAN.  Ken Brown has already been in touch with Mike Snyder who shares Ken's enthusiasm for this document.

Many questions:

        a) has anyone seen the existing Management Plan?  Is there one?

        b) aside from Steve Russell, who else serves with him?

This document is a "call to action" for the Town of Hinesburg to renew protection efforts for Town Forest and involve many user groups in the process.  A similar process is taking place with the Bissonette Forest, yet it is different in many ways:  lack of conservation easements, all owned by the Town, much larger (900 vs. 300 acres).

Ken agreed to chat more with Mike Snyder and see what the next steps might be.

IN THE MEANTIME

1) The present GPS trail map will be reworked to include the recently GPS'ed EAGLE TRAIL and EAGLE will be carefully flagged.

2) We suggest a moratorium on new trail creation by FOW (or anyone else).  Jason agreed to pass this suggestion to FOW.

3) Ken and Mike Snyder will form a management committee which will prepare a new management plan for this Town Forest.

With respect to websites, can we simplify access to trail maps?

NEXT MEETING DATES

NOVEMBER 19

DECEMBEER 17

AND

ESTABLISH THE 3RD WEDNESDAY AS TRAILS COMMITTEE NIGHT AT 7 PM

DON'T FORGET THE TOWN FORUM ABOUT THE BISSONETTE TOWN FOREST

WEDNESDAY AT 7 PM,  COMMUNITY SCHOOL CAFETERIA