TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
Commissioners Present: Alan Benoit, Leslie Burg, Michael Cooperman, Carl Bucholt. Absent: Dee Myrvang.
Staff Present: Janet Hurley, Planning & Zoning Director
Other Attendees: None.
Benoit called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.
Approval of Minutes
Bucholt moved to approve the minutes of the November 18, 2020, meeting. Cooperman seconded the motion. Benoit indicated that minutes should reflect the following under invasive species actions: The commission will work on a one-page handout about common invasive species to distribute. Hurley added this to the minutes. Burg indicated that the Massachusetts committee preservation committees do not get federal funding. Hurley removed the reference to federal The motion passed unanimously.
Natural Resource Mapping
Bucholt did not find anything about conserved lands on the ANR Natural Resources Atlas. Hurley explained that the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI) has a conserved lands database, but the private lands portion of the data is only available by special request. Perhaps Myrvang can follow up on this.
Annual Energy & Environment Fair
There is $500 allocation in the town budget for the annual energy fair. Benoit will take suggestions form commissioners about energy fair needs and present a budget to the Town Manager. Commissioners suggested planning for an outdoor energy fair next September. A tent will likely be necessary due to COVID-19 and Park House may not be big enough anyway. A combined Energy and Environment Fair was discussed. For the next meeting, Benoit asked commissioners to identify three focus topics for the fair. Last year’s allocation was not spent and there is another $500 for next year.
Administrative Advisory Group Participation
Hurley explained that the Administrative Advisory Group focus is on town services, and suggested it might not be the best way for the commission to provide input on proposed development with environmental impacts. Instead she suggested that a development review subcommittee of no more than two should review upcoming at DRB agendas to see if anything is pertinent to the commission/committee concerns. Bucholt and Burg volunteered to pursue this plan. Hurley displayed the town calendar and demonstrated how to access the DRB agenda. She showed Burg how to find the zoning bylaws from on the website.
Town Composting Concept
Bucholt met with O’Keefe to measure a possible site for a composting facility. There could be 1,000 - 1,500 square feet available next to the new maintenance shed at the rec park. O’Keefe will need to answer questions from Michael Batcher of Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance (BCSWA) in order for plans to proceed further. Bucholt said he would like the town to collect leaves at curbside, to eliminate need for plastic bags, and to use leaves as the required brown material for composting. Bucholt will follow up on a machine to do that.
Glyphosate Based Herbicide Actions
Bucholt shared (via email) 1-page of glyphosate information that he would like to see included in the Town Report. Burg felt that it needed to have more context. Benoit argued that page should include a report of the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee’s activities for the year, including an energy fair. Burg agreed with this approach. Bucholt will contact Mary Grimmig at Town Hall to find out what the deadline is for Town Report submissions. Benoit will submit the report as chair, but will work with commissioners on drafting it to be submitted before the deadline.
Benoit asked why not have Earth Matters ask the Selectboard to pass an ordinance to require a glyphosate handout with every purchase of Roundup within Manchester. Earth Matters may have more flexibility to lobby the board. Bucholt suggested that the commission has standing within the town, whereas Earth Matters does not.
Other Business
Due to the MLK Day Holiday, the next meeting of the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee will be on Monday, January 25, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Bucholt asked why there could not be a separate Energy Committee for the town. Bucholt felt that more could be accomplished if the bodies were separated. Hurley explained that it would be difficult to find volunteers. Benoit said he saw it as the best way to keep both bodies alive. Burg suggested there is lots of overlap. Benoit said more work should be accomplished outside of regular meetings to address Bucholt’s concern.
Cooperman moved to adjourn. Burg seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously at 8:03 p.m.
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For the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee Date