October 2023 Meeting

Oct 17th, 2023 at 7p, Norwich Historical Society (277 Main Street)

Agenda

  1. Public Comments
  2. Milton Frye Nature Area
  3. Schmidt Bog
  4. Deer Exclusion Plots (GIS map for this and other NCC activities)
  5. Bat Boxes
  6. Trails
  7. Budget
  8. Updates from Public Forums, Meetings, and Minutes
  9. Approval of September Minutes

Minutes

Members Present Craig Layne (Chair), Lynnwood Andrews, Cheryl Asa, Alex Gottleib, Lindsay Putnam, Chris Rimmer, Andrew Torkelson, Cody Williams
Guests None

Meeting convened at 7:02 PM

Public Comments

There were no guests present

Milton Frye Nature Area

Seeds have been received to plant in cleared area after first hard frost. Lynnwood has been weed-whacking around the vernal pool to make it obvious which plants should be saved when mowing. The fence has been moved further down to protect more of the plantings.

Tree Quest

Lindsey and Lynnwood led a class for TreeQuest.

Schmidt Bog

The rainy summer interfered with progress on the work projects, so the plan is to resume them next year. A deer exclusion plot location has been selected.

Deer Exclusion Plots

Alex suggests creating a GIS map to identify locations of these plots and various other NCC projects around town. It could be printed to use for displays and could also live on the NCC website. Alex supervised installation of another plot in the Brookmead Conservation Area.

Phragmites

Chris reported that there are phragmites stalks growing in the site in the Ompompanoosuc River that had previously been treated to eliminate them. Chris will contact Redstart about re-treating.

Bat Boxes

Two new bat boxes were installed in Barrett Park and Huntley Meadow.

Trails Committee

Cody gave an update on Trails Committee activities. There will be Ballard Trail workdays the weekend of October 21-22 to relocate the trail around the are washed-out during recent flooding. A trail counter was replaced on Parcel 5 to get better data on use. Chris offered to be an alternate member of the Committee when Cody or Craig can’t attend.

Budget

Craig submitted the proposed NCC budget for fiscal year 2025, which is unchanged from the 2024 budget except for an additional $2000 under Trails for replacement of two trail bridges.

Updates from Public Forums, Meetings, and Minutes

Cheryl mentioned that the August meeting minutes of Affordable Housing Subcommittee stated they would be inviting a member of the NCC to the September meeting. Craig has offered to follow up. Craig attended the Solar Siting Committee meeting and outlined reasons for Ridgeline protections.

Approval of September Minutes

Cheryl moved, Alex seconded, and the motion to approve the minutes passed unanimously.

The meeting ended at 7:50 PM

Minutes compiled by Cheryl Asa