TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
CONSERVATION COMMISSION/ENERGY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Commissioners Present: Alan Benoit, Leslie Burg, Dee Myrvang, Michael Cooperman, Carl Bucholt.
Other Attendees: None.
Benoit called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.
Burg moved to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2020, meeting. Bucholt seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Glyphosate Based Herbicide Actions
Commissioners discussed issues surrounding GBH (glyphosate based herbicides). Burg reported that the GBH bill in Montpelier didn’t go anywhere so she stopped following it. The Town of Manchester does not use GBH on town land. This should be confirmed for contracted weed eradication work at the sewer treatment plant. Town employees do not want to use GBHs. Bucholt noted that historically homeowners use more pesticides and fertilizers than is needed, compared to professionals. Burg reported that her 24-unit HOA switched to organic products. Benoit suggested that the commission put together a brochure or leaflet about GBH to pass out to the public at the next energy fair. Myrvang suggested it could be included it in a town mailing. Bucholt suggested it could go into the Town Report next March.
Invasive Species Actions
Benoit indicated that he wants to do something about invasive species. Cooperman said he is willing to help with that.
Natural Resource Mapping
Myrvang brought up the question of creating a town map that would show/include forest land, zoning, conserved land, etc. Bucholt offered to help with a map. Cooperman wondered if that information wasn't already available from the state’s Planning Atlas or BioFinder websites. Benoit asked if land preserved by Nature Conservancy or Vermont Land Trust is shown on those state sites.
Administrative Advisory Group Participation
Bucholt spoke with John O’Keefe about how the Conservation Commission might be useful to other town boards or players when they are discussing projects that would impact natural resources. O'Keefe suggested one member from the commission might attend Administrative Advisory Group meetings in its reviews to advise the DRB. Commissioners agreed that would be worthwhile. Bucholt volunteered to attend the meetings, which are during daytime working hours. Burg said she would serve as an alternate and could attend when available.
Natural Resource Webinars
Bucholt shared information from the NR1 and NR2 workshops:
· Bennington saved $93,000,000 in damages from Irene because of smart planning in the years prior. The town kept development out of the flood plain, and retained wetlands, all at a cost well below $1M. Middlebury also preserved flood plains and had much less damage than Rutland, which did not protect floodplains.
· Hartford allocates $3,000 per year for conserving land. The town uses the money to purchase development rights to keep land open.
Cooperman questioned if the Manchester selectboard would do this. Benoit suggested they might if they could see a net savings for the town. Burg indicated that in Massachusetts there are Community Preservation Committees that get 1-3% of property taxes, which are matched by state or federal funds. The money is used to acquire open space, recreation lands, historic buildings, and affordable housing. Myrvang conjectured there is not much land to purchase or conserve within the town of Manchester.
Town Composting Concept
Bucholt relayed that John O'Keefe shared an idea for food scrap composting located at the new maintenance shed at the rec park. Vermont law requires all food scraps to be composted, but there are inadequate facilities to accomplish this. This idea could potentially make the town money via sales of compost. A potential problem could be people dumping non-food items.
The meeting ended abruptly due to the 40 minute Zoom time limit.
Minutes submitted by Carl Bucholt, Secretary
________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________
For the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee Date