Agenda
Salisbury Conservation Commission
Final Minutes of Monthly Meeting
May 15, 2024
Members present: Kip Andres, Preston Turner, Crispin Butler, Heidi Willis, Barrie Bailey, Barb Karle, Sue Staats
Members absent: Jim Andrews, John Metcalfe
1) Public comment: none.
2) Minutes: April draft minutes accepted as is.
3) Treasurer’s report: no new activity. Our SCC account stands at $1156.43 and the Turner Conservation Fund balance is $6400.
Priority items:
1. New treasurer needed for our SCC – this is Barb’s last meeting so we need to appoint a new treasurer. Crispin and Preston are both considering taking on the position.
2. SCC vacancy – we have two candidates for Barb’s position. Both candidates came to an extra SCC meeting on 5/13 to talk with members about their interest. We discussed our thoughts. Heidi had researched the question of having an alternate as a member and found that some other conservation commissions have alternates. Kip put forward that he could become an alternate so that both candidates could become new members. Crispin indicated that he can’t participate as he should and perhaps he should be an alternate, too. The VT Conservation Commission Handbook doesn’t address alternates, which leaves us with a choice to later redo our bylaws to reflect our inclusion of an alternate. Possible decision: add two new members, and have Kip and Crispin change to alternate status. We need all members to weigh in on this decision.
3. Invasive plant species – guest Janet Higbee came to talk about a tool called an extractigator, which can uproot invasive plant species such as Japanese honeysuckle and glossy buckthorn. Higbee would like to purchase one to be shared in town for workdays and for individuals to use. The cost is $135.00. Cornwall has one and had a program on a Saturday morning to show which species are invasive. Higbee will investigate more and let us know more details and check in with us in June. Could the SCC fund the purchase of a tool or two for non-native plant removal? Kip will check with our town road commissioner about his knowledge of how to reduce spread of invasives via roadside mowing.
4. School nature trail update – Preston, Kip, Paul, Jim and Crispin cut up some trees that were blocking the trail and straightened up the kiosk, which still needs some repair. They also made solid maple seats for the outdoor classrooms. Preston talked with Chris Fastie about replacing and repairing the trail signs, which were originally produced in California. Preston found a local company that makes signs, and they agreed to redo our signs at $53 apiece, and if redoing 20 signs then the cost would be $39 each. Chris is interested in reviewing the signs to see if the text needs to change to reflect the changes since the signs were new. One possibility is if the signs were replaced with adult-level language, then teachers could rework the signs into a child-level pamphlet. We discussed the value of having the students prepare the text and understand the content. Another idea is to post a Story Walk along the trail. Preston hasn’t talked with Amy since the last SCC meeting that she attended. Heidi will reach out to Amy to check in with her further thoughts about the signs. Funding could come from SCC funds and potential grants.
5. Programs –
- Birds on the Pitch Pine Trail, hosted by Jim on this Saturday.
- Bob Popp – June 15th. This event needs advertising.
- Turkey program – postpone until a Wednesday or Thursday (our preferred night choices) night in September. Sue will try and set a date with Toni.
Secondary items:
1. DRB/PC yearly meeting update – each board and committee has too much on their plates right now, including new members, for a combined meeting to be scheduled.
Meeting adjourned: 8:35 PM
Next meeting: June 26th at 7 PM