TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
Commissioners Present: Alan Benoit, Michael Cooperman, Dee Myrvang, Leslie Burg. Absent: Carl Bucholt.
Staff Present: Janet Hurley, Planning & Zoning Director
Other Attendees: None.
Benoit called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM.
Approval of Minutes
Hurley made some corrections. Burg moved to approve the minutes of the December 21, 2020, meeting as corrected. Cooperman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Annual Energy & Environment Fair
Commissioners discussed how to hold an energy fair this year. The Farmers Market in Adams Park could be pursued as a multi-week venue for a fair. The Farmers Market has a few dozen booth spaces, not all are being utilized and one is reserved for guest vendors. Commissioners would distribute informative materials from the booth. Benoit suggested a handout on invasive exotics and materials featuring energy wise solutions from Efficiency Vermont. Myrvang said there would be a need for something to attract people to the booth. Benoit suggested free lightbulbs, low flow shower heads, or Nature Conservancy seed packets as options. It was agreed that this model would be more viable and easier than setting up a standalone fair this year.
Cooperman expressed concern that a lack of focus would not be inviting. Hurley suggested a focus each week. Commissioners agreed and discussed inviting contractors and topical experts to demonstrate, for example, the financial savings for heat pumps, hybrid electric car available to test drive, and demonstration of how to charge an electric car at home. The booth programing would espouse virtues of energy efficient systems. An expert could be invited to discuss invasive species, such as Rick LaDue of the Equinox Preservation Trust, or someone from the USFS Green Mountain National Forest. Myrvang suggested one week focused on invasive species, one week on home efficiency improvements, and one week on solar. One topic a week pre-publicized. Benoit will follow up with the Farmers Market and Efficiency Vermont. He invited commissioners to expand on these topics or add to them.
Natural Resource Mapping
Myrvang reported on a Forest Integrity workshop that featured the Biofinder planning tool (biofinder.vt.gov). It is meant to help towns and regions plan for ecologically functional forested landscapes. It provides a holistic approach looking at various different components to make functional ecosystems. Biofinder provides ecological features inventory and offers online map creation. Hurley displayed the web-based tool on screen and showed how to produce a map. Myrvang will share her notes from the workshop.
Administrative Advisory Group Participation
Hurley read the minutes from the last meeting to remind commissioners what had been discussed previously. Cooperman suggested that review of the DRB agenda could be standing item on the commission’s agenda. Commissioners agreed.
Town Composting Concept
Bucholt reported via email that O’Keefe decided not the concept was not feasible.
Other Business
The next meeting of the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee will be on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Burg moved to adjourn. Cooperman seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously at 8:09 p.m.
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For the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee Date