LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest Planning Committee
MINUTES of May 21, 2009
Opening
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm on May 21, 2009 in the Town Hall by Kristen Sharpless.
Present
Steve Russell, Tim Clancy, Kristen Sharpless, Lenore Budd, Jean Isham, Stewart Pierson, Andrea Morgante
Absent
Lisa Godfrey, Kate Tarkington
Forest name
The Select Board officially approved the new name the LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest. This action took place at the May 18th Selectboard meeting. In addition, the upper meadow on the northern portion of the property has been named the Bissonette Meadow. This meadow is designated in the easement for continued agricultural use and as a place for public gatherings. Stewart was asked to draft a letter to Barbara and Wayne Bissonnette to let them know of the committee and town's desire to name the field in their honor. Stewart was also asked to draft an article for The Record announcing this and include information about the recent planting project (1,500) trees and shrubs.
Farm Service Agency Plan Enrollment
It is estimated that a payment of about $200 would be received from the FSA if the currently designated agricultural fields are maintained through mowing. To be eligible to receive payment the town needs to contact with a qualified farmer. It was suggested that Wayne Bissonette and Hills Brothers be contacted to see if they are interested in mowing these fields with the conditions required by the easement. Andrea will follow up with preparing the FSA paperwork and submitting it to Rocky and the selectboard.
Future events
Assuming that the bats are still in residence, a bat walk might take place in later summer.
Plant Protection Work Day – June 6
The 1,500 new shrubs and trees planted in May of which about 1000 need brush blankets and tree tubes installed. The tubes will protect the young trees from rodent damage. That Publicity is in process for getting volunteers for the June 6th date.
Public Meeting to hear feedback on Recreation section of the plan
Will take place on June 11 from 7:30-9:30pm in the Town Fall. Kristen will welcome and introduce the committee. Lenore will facilitate a discussion of the plan section which she is currently circulating along with invitations to the meeting. Stewart will record minutes on a flip chart. Our purpose in this meeting is to listen, not debate. If there are simple questions (ie: Can I drive my ATV on the trails?) they can be answered immediately, other will be noted for consideration.
Timeline for completion of the project
July 16: Brainstorm list of maps needed from Alex and brainstorm objectives and guidelines for Education section
August 20: Discussion water (Lisa); and landscape and agriculture (both Andrea)
September 7: All section drafts received and reviewed
October 8: Final public forum for feedback on the completed draft followed by any rewriting needed
December 1: final draft to select board for approval
Next Meetings
The next meetings will be on July 16 and August 20.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10PM.
Respectfully submitted by Stweart Pierson and Kristen Sharpless