TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
CONSERVATION COMMISSION/ENERGY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Commissioners Present: Alan Benoit, Leslie Burg, Carl Bucholt (via Zoom), Michael Cooperman (via Zoom). Absent: Dee Myrvang, Kathleen James.
Staff Present: Janet Hurley, Planning & Zoning Director
Other Attendees: None.
Benoit called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Approval of Minutes
Bucholt moved to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2021. Cooperman seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0-0.
Annual Organizational Matters
There was discussion about what constitutes a quorum now that Kathleen James has been appointed to the commission. It was recognized that 4 members constitute a quorum and up to 3 members can now gather without the need for public notice.
Benoit added “Energy Committee” to the title of the draft Rules of Procedure. Burg motioned to adopt the rules of procedure as amended and to accept the same slate of officers until the full commission is present to consider new officers. Cooperman seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0-0.
Energy & Environment Fair Planning
Benoit reported that he secured approval from the Manchester Farmers Market to offer an information booth on at four occasions during the Thursday Farmers Market. Hurley will check to see if tables, chairs and a 10’ x 10’ canopy are available for use from the Park House for use by the commission/committee. Benoit and Cooperman offered to transport these supplies. Hurley offered use of the brochure stand from the Planning & Zoning Department.
The commission/committee will plan four information sessions at upcoming Farmers Markets focused on the following topics with invitations to topic area experts to be on hand for each.
1. Electric Vehicles and Products. Cooperman will coordinate planning for this week. He will seek an electric car dealer to participate. Carl will contact Bill LaBerge of Grassroots Solar and Karen Lee of SolarPro about participating.
2. Home Energy Efficiency. Bucholt will coordinate participation by the Window Dressers Program. Burg will contact Bill Morrisey of Weatherization Works about participating. Benoit will contact Efficiency Vermont about participating.
3. Invasive Species Threats. Benoit will coordinate planning for this week with an invitation to Rick LaDue of the Equinox Preservation Trust, and securing information or seed packets from the Vermont Nature Conservancy. Burg will contact Bentley Seeds in Cambridge New York (Bucholt will share contact information with Burg). Bentley seeds has provided seed packets to the Sierra Club and others.
4. Pollinator Gardens. Benoit will contact Horticulturist Andrea Luchini of Hildene to invite her to be on hand to answer gardening questions. Bucholt will secure Massachusetts NOFA informational/educational materials to have on hand.
Commissioners will work on scheduling options and finalize a schedule at the next meeting. There was discussion about publicizing these information sessions. It was suggested that the commission/committee could collect email addresses for a local conservation/energy email list.
Other Business
Cooperman suggested the commission focus on stormwater issues and best practices in upcoming meetings.
The next meeting of the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee will be on Monday, August 16, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Burg moved to adjourn. Cooperman seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously at 8:03 p.m.
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For the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee Date